Arne Duncan

Let me be really clear: what many states on a voluntary basis have done, including your state, is raise standards.

We cannot postpone providing every child with a world-class education.

This is a huge issue that is, unfortunately, almost crushing too many American families.

I think we need to pay teachers significantly more.

Strong Head Start programs are making a huge difference.

The damage here would be irreparable.

This is the ultimate long-term play. We will not see the full dividends for 10, 20, 30, 40 years, 50 years.

Jobs can go anywhere in a globally competitive economy.

Two- and three- and 4-year-olds do not vote. They do not have Political Action Committee_PACs. They do not have lobbyists.

the idea of invisible children has to go away.

It is a horrendous way to think about budget choices.

Our competitors in this global economy are not cutting. In fact, they're doing the opposite.