Chicago Teachers Union president Karen Lewis held a news conference this morning to say she would not resign amidst criticism of a video that surfaced Monday where she mocked the lisp of Education Secretary Arne Duncan and talked candidly about her past marijuana use at a conference last month. more ›

The conservative think tank Education Action Group Foundation released video of a speech by Chicago Teachers Union president Karen Lewis where Lewis mocks Education Secretary Arne Duncan's lisp and cracks wise about her pot smoking days at Dartmouth College and having the perfect resume for an affirmative action quota hire. more ›

City Council's stand against the Chicago Teachers Union on the subject of a longer school day is seen by some as more than a token gesture intended to curry favor with the mayor. more ›

It looks like former Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan will face few - if any obstacles - on his way to becoming President-Elect Barack Obama's Education Secretary. Duncan came out of a two-hour senate hearing with nary a hair on his head ruffled. Obama's personal point guard also solicited praise from Republican members of the hearing committee. Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson (GA), said of Duncan,"I've been involved in education in my entire public-service career and never had a more enjoyable conversation with anyone than I had with you when we met the other day. I want to commend you on what you've accomplished." And Rep. Sen. Richard Burr (NC) called Duncan one of "the two smartest nominees the president has appointed," the other being Nobel-prize winning physicist Dr. Steven Chu, Obama's nominee for Energy Secretary. more ›

This morning President-Elect Barack Obama has nominated Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan for his education secretary because right now is the perfect time to garner support for nominating Illinois politicians to high-ranking national positions. This in spite of Mayor Daley's pleading before the election to keep Arne in Chicago. Obama said of Duncan, "When it comes to school reform, Arne is the most hands-on of hands-on practitioners. When faced with tough decisions, Arne doesn't blink." We're guessing the same goes for when facing someone with a nasty cross-over dribble. Obama continued, "In just seven years, he's boosted elementary test scores here in Chicago from 38 percent of students meeting the standards to 67 percent. The dropout rate has gone down every year he's been in charge." For his part, Duncan said he was "grateful" and added, "[Education] is the civil rights issue of our generation. And it is the one sure path to a more fair, equal and just society." During the press conference, Obama continued to avoid answering questions regarding any contact aides may have had with Gov. Blagojevich's office. more ›

Chicago Public School head Arne Duncan paid a visit to the Education Department in Washington, D.C. today, setting tongues wagging about the implications as Duncan is a close Obama friend and has long been rumored to be a potential candidate for the Obama cabinet, whether the Mayor likes it or not. Duncan, however, says it was just a friendly drop-in, saying, "I was just meeting with Secretary Spellings; we're hoping she comes to Chicago next week to talk about some of the work that she supports in Chicago." Duncan is known for being one of Obama's hoops buddies and has thorough knowledge of the President-Elect's education plan, saying, "He has an unbelievably thoughtful, comprehensive plan, and there's a real opportunity to do something special going forward." As Hawk would say, "He gone!" more ›