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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

U.S. schools chief says he's optimistic for Detroit district's future | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

U.S. schools chief says he's optimistic for Detroit district's future | Detroit Free Press | freep.com:

U.S. schools chief says he's optimistic for Detroit district's future


U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has spent the better part of his administration referring to Detroit Public Schools as one of the worst urban school districts in the nation, but he said this afternoon he believes the district is on the road to improvement.

“I’m more optimistic today about Detroit’s future than probably any time in the past two and a half years,” Duncan said during a brief phone interview with the Free Press. “I’m very encouraged by the leadership and the courage that’s being shown.”

Duncan spoke in advance of his visit to Detroit next week, part of a six-state school bus tour in which he will highlight the “huge tie