Education News Unfiltered

Ed. Secretary Nominee Gets Collegial Senate Confirmation Hearing

The confirmation hearing for John B. King Jr., the nominee for U.S. secretary of education, suggests that he will likely be approved by the Senate education committee without much trouble. During the hearing, King was questioned by a group of senators on various policy matters and the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), but it was clear that he would not be caught up in the partisan disagreements that had hindered the confirmation of other Obama administration appointees. King, who currently serves as the acting secretary of education, emphasized his experience as a former classroom teacher, charter school operator, and state education chief, highlighting that the best ideas come from classrooms rather than conference rooms. He also expressed his belief that decision-making on school supports, interventions, and rewards should be shifted back to states and districts, away from the one-size-fits-all approach of the previous No Child Left Behind policy.

However, King also recognizes the important role of the federal government in ensuring that ESSA, the latest version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, upholds the civil rights legacy of the original 1965 law.

In contrast to King’s predecessor, Arne Duncan, who had a strained relationship with Republicans and some Democrats in Congress, King received a friendly reception from the chairman of the panel, Sen. Lamar Alexander. Alexander praised King’s extensive experience within the education system and expressed his desire to work with him on implementing ESSA, as well as addressing college access and affordability. However, Alexander also reminded King that ESSA aims to limit the powers of the Education Department, as many members of Congress believed that Duncan had overstepped his authority. King agreed with this sentiment, acknowledging that the new law prevents the use of federal funds or regulatory flexibility to enforce teacher evaluations based on student test scores or the adoption of the Common Core State Standards.

Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the committee and a key architect of ESSA, commended King for his dedication to students’ education and overall well-being. As an African-American and Puerto Rican, King shared his personal background of growing up in New York City with two educators as parents. He emphasized the impact his teachers had on him during his upbringing, particularly after being orphaned at a young age.

Overall, King’s confirmation hearing focused on the implementation of ESSA and the relationship between the federal government and education policy.

Sen. Johnny Isakson, a Republican senator from Georgia who previously supported the NCLB law, inquired about Secretary King’s plans to address testing opt-outs and ensure that there are high rates of participation without pressuring parents. Secretary King responded by sharing his experience as the commissioner of education in New York, where he thoroughly examined the amount of testing required and encouraged districts to do the same. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the proposed budget by the Obama administration both contain provisions designed to facilitate a comprehensive assessment of testing systems in states and districts across the nation. The aim is to eliminate redundant or subpar tests. Secretary King expressed optimism that these measures will lead to a reduction in testing and improve students’ perceptions of their necessity.

Author

  • freyamccarthy

    Freya McCarthy is an educational blogger and volunteer who helps improve education in developing countries. She has worked in education for over 10 years, most recently as a teacher in a primary school in India. Freya has a degree in education from the University of Wales and has worked in a number of different educational settings. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family.

freyamccarthy

Freya McCarthy is an educational blogger and volunteer who helps improve education in developing countries. She has worked in education for over 10 years, most recently as a teacher in a primary school in India. Freya has a degree in education from the University of Wales and has worked in a number of different educational settings. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family.