Arne Duncan on the Hard Truths About American Education—and How We Fix It
What if everything we believed about education was built on a lie? That’s exactly what former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan argues in our powerful, no-holds-barred conversation on The Community Connection. From the deep-rooted inequities in the system to the teacher shortages crippling schools, Duncan pulls back the curtain on the challenges—and the solutions—we can no longer afford to ignore.
The Brutal Truth: "Education Runs on Lies"
Arne Duncan doesn’t sugarcoat the state of American education. In his 2018 book, How Schools Work, he opens with a blunt statement: “Education runs on lies.” For too long, we’ve told ourselves that our schools serve all children equally when, in reality, many students lack access to the resources they need to succeed.
The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores make that clear. In 2024, reading scores declined by 2 points for both 4th and 8th graders compared to 2022, continuing a downward trend from 2019. Math scores have also dropped, and the achievement gap has widened. The challenge now is to reverse these trends - closing gaps, recovering lost ground, and ensuring all students receive the support they need.
Beyond the Classroom: Why Schools Must Become Community Hubs
For Duncan, education isn’t just about what happens inside the classroom. He envisions schools as the heart of their communities—places that provide not only academics but also essential services, mental health support, and mentorship programs. “If we want kids to succeed, we need to look at their entire environment,” he explains. A one-size-fits-all approach no longer works; education must evolve to meet students where they are.
A Broken Teacher Pipeline—And How to Fix It
Another crisis looms: the nationwide teacher shortage. Duncan stresses that we cannot expect talented educators to stay in a profession that undervalues them. Competitive salaries, professional development, and supportive school environments are non-negotiable if we want to attract and retain the best teachers. “We need to invest in our educators the same way we invest in our students,” he says.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity for Change
Duncan’s message is clear: we are at a turning point. The pandemic forced us to confront hard truths, and now we have a choice—return to the status quo or reimagine what education can be. He calls on policymakers, educators, and communities to be bold, challenge outdated norms, and create a system that truly serves every child.
“This isn’t about tweaking around the edges,” Duncan urges. “It’s about transformation.”
The question now is: Are we ready to make that change?