Arne Duncan

I think the Senator's basic premise that these costs have gone up far faster than inflation, I think he is absolutely correct.

The children of Texas desperately need these resources.

I share your concern about where the Federal Government has been inflexible or commandeered local budgets.

I have no interest in pouring more money into the status quo.

I can't tell you how shocked and, frankly, how angry I am by those statements and that -- we looked into it. This is an elected position. It's not an appointed position, but the question for Mr. McCance and the question for the community…

Done right, Expanded Learning Time can deliver significant gains in academic achievement and promote hands-on learning, artistic enrichment, college preparation and career exploration.

They are helping us meet an ever increasing demand for skills that public institutions cannot always meet. They are an essential part in achieving President Obama's goal of being first in the world in college completion by 2020.

It is the right thing to do at the right time for the right reasons.

If universities can't graduate 2 out of 5 of the student athletes, how serious are they about their core mission?

I think I have an obligation to challenge the status quo. I'm going to continue to do that.

Talent matters tremendously. We have to convince the country that poverty is not destiny, that we have poor children around this country routinely now beating the odds because they had great adults in their lives.

If we are serious about closing the achievement gap and giving your children there a chance to be successful, we have to close the opportunity gap.