As part of the transition process, President-Elect Obama will be choosing a nominee for Secretary of Education. One chief responsibilities of the future secretary is to manage the federal government’s grant and loan programs. Future policy will steer Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, FAFSA, and other programs that will help college students. In an Obama Administration, higher education will be a top priority for the next secretary. Here is a short list of those under consideration.
Joel Klein
Currently New York City School Chancellor, Klein is known as a reformer in the city. He is a big proponent of the charter school system, by replacing failing schools with privately funded charter schools. In addition, he has also bucked teachers unions in his efforts to pay teachers and administrators according to their performance. However, he is criticized as being too test-oriented, rather than focusing on learning.
Arne Duncan
Currently the CEO of Chicago Public Schools, Duncan is a close friend and advisor of Barack Obama. While his efforts at expanding charter schools and math and science programs have been successful, crime is major issue at CPS schools. During the 2007-2008 school year, nearly 30 students were killed by shootings outside of school and this school year could top the last.
Colin Powell
As a former secretary of state and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is Colin Powell ready for another job? Since leaving government, he has become a crusader for educational accountability. However, Powell has consistently said that he has no intentions of reentering public service.
Others under consideration include Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano and Caroline Kennedy.
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