The one who loved evaluations will now be evaluated

This month marks the departure of Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. After nearly seven years on the job, Secretary Duncan surprised almost everyone by leaving just a year shy of his pledge to remain with the administration for the long haul. After a month of dramatic arrivals (the Pope) and exits (John Boehner), Duncan’s announcement left many in Washington wondering about the state of play in public education.

The legacy conversations have already begun around Washington, but currently three things can be said about Duncan. He leaves in his wake some good news: High school graduation rates have risen for the third year in a row. Some bad news: The younger generation seems to have no interest in teaching, and there are teacher shortages in communities around the nation. And a bit of uncertainty: Will ESEA be reauthorized and what does the federal role in education look like post-NCLB?

There is a fine line between leading reluctant people to higher ground and unleashing shock and awe on a population that is already fighting to get by.