Arne Duncan: podcast appearances and interviews

Arne Starkey Duncan, born on November 6, 1964, is an American educator and former professional basketball player. He served as the ninth United States secretary of education from 2009 to 2016 in the cabinet of President Barack Obama. Prior to his tenure as secretary, Duncan was the Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools from 2001 to 2009. During his time in office, his focus included expanding the use of standardized tests, charter schools, and implementing national learning standards such as the Common Core. He oversaw the Race to the Top program, which provided grants and waivers from the No Child Left Behind Act to states that adopted certain policies. Duncan's initiatives initially had bipartisan support but later faced criticism from teachers' unions and members of the Republican Party, who objected to testing policies and accused him of government overreach. He expanded student financial aid and loan forgiveness programs but was unable to implement some of his higher education reforms, including regulations for for-profit colleges and a university performance rating system. Duncan resigned in 2015 and moved back to Chicago with his family. After his resignation, he engaged in anti-violence efforts in Chicago. Before his political career, Duncan was a co-captain of the basketball team at Harvard College and played professionally for the Rhode Island Gulls in the United States and the Eastside Spectres in Australia. He also participated in several basketball competitions, including the NBA All-Star Celebrity Games, and won the USA Basketball three-on-three championship in 2014.