U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will highlight local reform efforts to turn around low-performing schools as well as the Obama Administration’s work to help more students access high-quality education during a trip to St. Louis on Monday, June 25. While he is in town, Duncan will also be inducted into the Academic All-America Hall of Fame.
First, Duncan will visit Vashon High School, which is receiving funds under the Department’s School Improvement Grant program. Duncan will meet with school leaders and students who are participating in a summer school program and highlight the importance of graduating from high school and attaining postsecondary education. The school visit will begin at 2:15 p.m. and will be followed by a press availability.
In the evening, Duncan will join several former college athletes who will be inducted into the Academic All-America Hall of Fame during the College Sports Information Directors of America’s annual conference. During the ceremony, he will discuss the need for postsecondary institutions to ensure that all student-athletes are able to receive an excellent college education. Duncan was the co-captain of the Harvard men’s basketball team and its leading scorer as a senior in 1986-87. He was first-team Academic All-American that year, graduating magna cum laude with a degree in sociology.