Washington - President-elect Barack Obama on Tuesday tapped a long-time friend and head of Chicago's school system to become education secretary, vowing to boost student achievement that is key to US competitiveness in the future. Arne Duncan, 44, a one-time professional athlete, has been chief executive of Chicago's public schools since 2001. His work has been met with praise from both sides of the political aisle, including from President George W Bush's current Education Secretary Margaret Spellings.
As the US battles through a year-long recession, Obama said improving education would be "the single biggest determinant of how our economy does long term" and was critical to the country's competitiveness and economic performance.
"The path to jobs and growth begins right here in America's schools," Obama said in a Chicago press conference. "If we want to outcompete the world tomorrow, then we are gonna have to out-educate the world today."
How to improve education nationally has been a running dispute in US politics. High school students in the world's largest economy have consistently trailed their peers in many other developed countries in math and science proficiency, while the cost of university education has become prohibitive to many Americans.
Obama has promised to recruit an "army" of new teachers and suggested subsidizing university tuition in exchange for community service, but he has given few specifics on his policy plans.
Duncan, 44, leads the third-largest school district in the United States. Obama cited Duncan's willingness to explore new ideas - including offering students money for strong test performances - as a model he hoped to bring to the federal level.
Chicago has seen a "continuous, steady improvement" in test scores and performance over the passed seven years of his tenure, Obama said.
Duncan, a former professional basketball player, has played regularly with Obama during their time in Chicago.
"I know from experience that when you focus on basics like reading and math, when you embrace innovative new approaches to learning, and when you create a professional climate that attracts great teachers - - you can make a difference for children," Duncan said.
