Fox News
Expand
Browse All Video
Watch Live

You're watching...

Sec. Duncan talks universal preschool, school security

Details

  • Description

    Secretary of education speaks out

  • Duration 5:13
  • Date

Clips

Also in this playlist...

Happening Now

Auto-advance: ON

Auto-advance
View All

Transcript

This transcript is automatically generated

Well we're just two weeks away is even telling you about these automatic across the board federal spending cuts -- sequestration we talk a lot about that when it comes to the military and the Department of Defense.

But on Capitol Hill today we've been watching some testimony for members of the administration they're talking about the consequences on this.

For their own department -- talk a little bit about the Department of Education next the president is actually in Georgia today where he's touring.

An early childhood learning center near Atlanta.

The visit comes just days actors stated the union address when he called on states to make pre K education so education for three.

And four year olds.

Available to every child in America joining us now as a secretary of education Arnie Duncan stepping out of that hearing for a secretary Duncan nice to have you back on the program.

Thanks so much for the opportunity -- because a little bit about this this free kindergarten education plan.

How much does it cost.

To get three and four year -- into a program like this how much the cost -- taxpayers and why now do you think this is the right time for that investment.

This is a really big deal are so please see to see the president puts puts an emphasis on this in the state of the union.

-- study after study shows us the best the best that we can make is to get our young people prepare to enter kindergarten.

And for every dollar we spend you try to get back 789 dollars and return.

-- -- have to stop playing catch up.

In education we have to make sure our children and -- kindergarten ready to learn.

Ready to read we have some HR around the country who want those kinds of opportunities don't have access to them.

Working together in partnership with states the chance to get so many more children ready for school is I think just the great thing for our nation.

So do -- -- we have a price tag on that because this would be free to send families and subsidized by the government how much -- cost.

Yet will be coming out of the budget details will be released entire budget begin long term we think this is the best the best that we can make.

Many states have that they have invested significantly to increase access.

But there's still tremendous unmet need out there but for families struggling to do the right thing for the children we want to make sure they have a -- a chance -- -- off to a great start.

Everyday Duncan Anderson the economist wrote about this and they quoted a federal study on 5000 children that were part of the head start program which this would be additions that.

That they say they have those children that went through some early education that by the time they hit third grade.

They actually were not doing better academically and they were having more behavioral problems and so the economists say there's a big question mark about.

It's impacting we should invest more and better kindergarten classes in more in first grade classes.

Rather then.

In free kindergarten programs your thoughts on that.

Well first of all mark my partner kept disabilities is doing a great job of increasing equality a head start.

The -- head start whether it's pre K we have to have our children entering kindergarten ready to learn and ready to read so we have to make sure this is high quality.

But we do that there's a life changing a life transforming opportunities.

Just real quick here because and we talk so much about school security you think about three year -- and for your -- going into school.

And just wanting to protect.

You know our most vulnerable you Wear the head to Chicago school district Chicago insidious dump a lot of violence.

How much federal money this year is being a lot aid to school security and what is.

Being invested in when it comes to school security.

-- we're invested very heavily the part of what the president and the vice president are asking congress to do is to increase the investment that we can make.

And so at the federal level of the state level the local level speaking first and foremost the parent of two young children.

We have to make sure our children are safe well listen up.

Headstart program in elementary school middle school high school.

Higher education.

We have to reduce gun violence in this constantly have to keep our children's sake let's talk specifically about that I was recently in Israel and I took a look at school security there amateur that story with their viewers next week we're putting together a package on that and they have armed guards and their school.

Does the Department of Education have an official stance and having armed guards in public schools around this country.

Why I think army and a bunch of teachers makes no sense whatsoever what we're saying is we -- increase resources for schools.

Whether it's a school resource officer a social worker a counselor a mental health professional -- help after school programs.

Those decisions are decimated the local level.

My parents and principles not by us -- in Washington.

We want to increase access to resources so people can make those determinations that the local lasted this schools on a local level that you have armed guards not armed teachers but armed guards do you have any thoughts about.

That -- the secretary of education.

Well I think that I sometimes it's effectively look at a Virginia Tech and you -- they had a security force there.

Didn't stop that from happening -- column behind they had security officers.

Again I think -- to take -- comprehensive approach to reducing gun violence schools are often the safest places.

It's the neighborhoods in the communities where the vast majority of this violence happens.

We have to take it on its comprehensive look at how we have.

Fewer children living in fear of god violence in this country some very important perspective for as secretary Duncan on both big ideas out there we look forward to having you back on the program and and continuing the conversation thank you so much.

Thanks -- opportunity have a great day.

Load More