Secretary of Education asks men to "step up"
MEMPHIS - Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, spoke to PTA members and parents at the annual Convention of the Chicago-based National Parent Teacher Association.
Duncan emphasized the importance of parent involvement in student academic achievement. He said his department is asking Congress to double the amount of funding for parent engagement programs. He urged men to step up and "engage (children) every step of the way." Parents can use their skills and talents to become involved. (Read some summer learning tips for ways to get involved over the summer.)
"Nothing is more important than parent engagement," he said. "Parents need to be full and equal partners with teachers."
Engagement is a two-way street, he added. Schools must be welcoming to parents.
Many changes need to occur for schools to improve. He put the Department of education at the top of the list. He said he wants the department to focus more on achievement rather than compliance and on innovation more than bureaucracy.
Duncan supported a $23 billion education jobs legislation designed to save up to 300,000 jobs for
