Finally, Obama Will Say Something About Education
But will he reveal the identity of the next secretary of education?
President-elect Barack Obama is holding a press conference tomorrow morning at 10:45 central time at the Dodge Renaissance Academy, a preK-8 school in Chicago.
Sounds like a prime venue to announce the next secretary of education, one of the major cabinet posts he has yet to fill. Michele e-mailed an Obama spokesman to find out if it's the education secretary announcement. He said he "can't confirm" it.
Chicago Schools Chief Executive Officer Arne Duncan is said to be on the short list for that position. Could going to a school under his jurisdiction mean that he's the pick?
Also, last week, Linda Darling-Hammond, the top education adviser for Obama's transition team, told me that there may be an announcement on what the incoming administration would like included in the stimulus package next week. So, maybe this is an announcement that Obama will seek more money for teacher training or schools in the package?
It's worth nothing that Dodge Renaissance Academy participates in a teacher-residency program, which allows prospective teachers to work alongside veteran mentors while earning their certification. It's a model for teaching training that Obama has embraced and made part of his stump speech during the campaign. The site choice shows his continued commitment to them. I'd be pretty surprised if Obama doesn't mention the residency program in announcement tomorrow ... whatever it may be.
