 |
Written by: Shelley Rodgers
Published: 01/26/2005 Margaret Spellings Confirmed As New Secretary of Education
The U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of Margaret Spellings to be the new Secretary of Education just hours following the President’s second swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 20th. Approved by voice vote, Spellings becomes the eighth secretary since the department’s creation and only the second woman to hold the post.
Ms. Spellings has served since 2001 in the White House as a domestic policy advisor to President Bush. Prior to her current position at the White House, Spellings served as Chief Education Advisor to then-Governor Bush in Texas and is largely credited for the creation of the Texas school standards that later became the blueprint for the 2001 federal No Child Left Behind law.
During confirmation hearings, Spellings outlined the president's agenda for his second term: requiring additional state testing in the high school grades, beefing up the academic rigor of vocational programs, and reshaping college aid to help nontraditional students.
“With the Senate's approval, Margaret Spellings will continue the work of a fine educator and leader, Secretary Rod Paige,” said President Bush in his nomination. “Margaret Spellings has a special passion for this cause. She believes that every child can learn, and that every school can succeed. And she knows the stakes are too high to tolerate failure. She believes in high standards and improving the resources necessary -- and providing the resources necessary to meet those standards. In Margaret Spellings, America's children, teachers and parents will have a principled, determined ally in my Cabinet. She has my complete trust and she will be an outstanding Secretary of Education.”
###
Related Links:
|
|
|
|
