Washington Unplugged: Arne Duncan Gets Real On Education
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan sat down with CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer as part of the Aspen Ideas Festival this week. The administration's point person to fix failing schools had plenty to say on No Child Left Behind.
"The one thing I will always give the previous administration great credit for is really shining great spotlight on the achievement gap," he said.
Duncan said that the Bush administration dove into the previously taboo subject of educational disparity.
"As a country we used to sweep that achievement gap under the rug, it was uncomfortable to talk about," he said.
"What no child left behind I think got fundamentally wrong on the standards side is it allowed fifty states to do their own banks," Duncan said.
He said that children that are "quote, unquote meeting a standard" are in fact underachieving.
Duncan argued that the time for education reform is now since both unions and business are begging for it.
"Everyone is saying what we are doing for children isn't good enough," he said. "We have to stop lying, we have to stop dumbing things down."
Also in today's show, don't miss Bob Schieffer getting a lecture on going to church from comedian Lewis Black.
Asked about separation of church and state, Lewis said he breaks it down like so, "if you live in Washington… you better go to church."
Schieffer said he has an excuse for not attending – he hosts "Face the Nation" on Sunday mornings.
"What? Do you send a note?" Lewis joked.
Watch both interviews below and then go behind the scenes in the preparations for the national mall's 4th of July celebration on "Washington Unplugged."