Contributor
Rod Paige, Former Secretary of Education (2001-2005)
Biography provided by participant
Rod Paige, U.S. Secretary of Education from 2001 to 2005, remains committed to the improvement of the quality of education for all students. He is an active member of the boards of the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation and Broad Foundation and a member of the New Commission on The Skills of The American Workforce created by the National Center on Education and the Economy. Paige established a reputation for seeking out and implementing innovative approaches to systemic academic improvement when he served as Dean of the College of Education at Texas Southern University. It was there that he established the university's Center for Excellence in Urban Education. He has also shown a knack for inclusive leadership throughout his career, first as a trustee and then as Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, the nation's seventh largest district, and then as U.S. Secretary of Education where he employed "best of breed" solutions to achieve the Department's goal of raising national standards of educational excellence. Paige also served as a Public Policy Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. And, in the private sector, he has provided counseling services to both public and private sector organizations and businesses in the U.S. and globally.
Recent Responses
November 11, 2009 11:40 AM
It’s time to rekindle the spirit of the 2001 iteration of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, perhaps better known as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). In 2001 NCLB was crafted and enacted in a bipartisan spirit by liberals and conservatives alike who had become deeply frustrated with and concerned about a serious problem in our public education system — a problem that manifested itself in millions of children failing to receive the kind of education they both needed and deserved. On the cover of the NCLB Bill are these words: “An Act to Close The Achievement Gap…
Read moreAugust 26, 2009 03:40 PM
Senator Edward Kennedy was a true American hero—a stalwart defender of the values and ideals upon which this country was founded. He was also a principled and unflinching advocate who worked tirelessly on behalf of all Americans, black and white, democrat and republican. I saw these qualities in action on many occasions, but was particularly impressed by his passion when we worked together to achieve bi-partisan unity in passing the No Child Left Behind Act. The Senator cared. My first up close and personal encounter with Senator Kennedy came when President-Elect George W. Bush nominated me as the 7th United States Secretary of…
Read moreJuly 29, 2009 04:30 PM
The unfinished journey of African Americans from chattel slavery to racial equality and social justice has been, and continues to be, a long and arduous struggle. Although many dangerous and deadly barriers have imperiled this noble journey, none has been able to stand up to the power and determination of authentic African American leadership of past years. No barrier—whether embedded in law, rooted in social or economic custom, or enforced by racial terror—has been able to stand up against their powerful and unwavering commitment to African American advancement. That is, until now. Certainly, vestiges of racism and discrimination linger to…
Read moreJuly 8, 2009 03:50 PM
Is 'Mayoral Control' The Answer For Urban Schools? There is no one best answer to the question is 'Mayoral Control' the answer for urban schools? History shows that in some urban environments, mayoral control has provided a sense of stability and improved school operations. But history also shows that mayoral control in some urban environments has failed to make a difference. The energy generated by this question demonstrates how easy it is to become entangled in the mesh of trying to find simple solutions for complex problems. It doesn’t really matter whether the school board is appointed by the mayor…
Read more
About This Blog
This Education Blog is funded by support provided, in part, by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the purpose of creating an educational forum for sharing research, ideas and opinions regarding issues related to college readiness and college completion. The Blog may not be used to post partisan political statements supporting or opposing candidates for public office. All statements and materials posted on the Blog, including any statements regarding specific legislation, reflect the views of the individual contributors and do not reflect the views of National Journal or the Bill& Melinda Gates Foundation. National Journal and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation take no positions regarding any legislation discussed in the Blog. National Journal reserves the right to monitor material placed on this site and to remove any posting they may deem inappropriate.
