NAM issues statement welcoming new education secretary.

Press Release Summary:



Following Barack Obama's nomination of Arne Duncan as Education Secretary, John Engler CEO NAM expressed encouragement for Duncan to help ensure every student graduate either ready to work or ready for higher education; that education is aligned with proper skills; and access to career/education options to drive a skilled workforce. NAM is encouraged that Duncan is a proponent of using data to drive decision-making/accountability in education and advocates performance-based evaluation systems.



Original Press Release:



Manufacturers Welcome Selection of Arne Duncun for Education Secretary



Engler Says, 'An Educated and Skilled Workforce Will Be Our Competitive Advantage'

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 16, 2008 - John Engler, president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) issued the following statement today in response to President-elect Barack Obama's announcement that he has nominated Arne Duncan, chief executive officer of Chicago Public Schools, to be Education Secretary:

President-elect Obama has chosen an effective and visionary education leader to head the U.S. Department of Education. Particularly during these tough economic times, America's manufacturers recognize that an educated and skilled workforce will be our competitive advantage. Therefore, we encourage the new designated Secretary of Education to help ensure that every student graduates from high school ready for work or ready for higher education; that career and technical education is aligned to industry-recognized skills; and that young people and their parents have access to good career information and alternative post-secondary education options to ensure their success in high quality middle class jobs, including those in manufacturing.

The NAM is encouraged that Arne Duncan is a strong proponent of using data to help drive decision-making and accountability in education and that he has been an advocate for performance-based evaluation systems.

We look forward to working with the new Education Secretary and his team to help shape policies that will enable our schools to prepare students for the high performance workforce that is necessary to succeed in today's hyper-competitive global economy.

CONTACTS:

LAURA NARVAIZ (202) 637-3104

HEATH WEEMS (202) 637-3133

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