U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan made his first official visit to Howard University Thursday to discuss the role historically Black colleges and universities must continue to play in preparing teachers to educate the nation’s increasingly diverse student body.
The visit to the Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science (MS)2 came on the heels of a promise Duncan made earlier this month on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show to visit a few of the nation’s HBCUs.
Joined by radio host Tom Joyner and Howard’s president, Dr. Sidney Ribeau, Duncan saw the highly trained middle school teachers and students in action. Launched in 2005, the middle school offers a rigorous curriculum to prepare students, many from low-income backgrounds, for careers in math, science and engineering.
HBCUs have a huge role to play in developing the teachers for the next generation, said Duncan. “Once students get into college, HBCUs have a unique ability to nurture and provide support to students who may need some extra help. Seeing Howard’s commitment, not just at the higher education level but at the middle school level, is phenomenal.”
Avery Coffey, a seventh-grade student and two-time regional spelling bee winner, greeted Duncan at the school’s entrance. When asked by Duncan what career he plans to pursue after high school, Coffey responded enthusiastically, “I want to be a mathematician.”
Ronald Blakely, deputy director for the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, was heartened by Duncan’s visit to Howard University so early in his appointment.
“It speaks volumes to his commitment to higher education,” Blakely said.
“It’s all about making sure that HBCUs and other institutions get what they need.”
Improving teacher quality is a high priority for the Obama administration, Duncan said. And with funding from the Tom Joyner Foundation, Howard University’s School of Education is also working to improve learning outcomes by cultivating highly trained teachers like Kimberly Worthy.
