Blog

EEP Signatory, Deborah Gist, appointed RI Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education

The Education Equality Project is thrilled that the state of Rhode Island will appoint Deborah Gist, the State Superintendent of Education for theDistrict of Columbia, to serve as the next Commissioner ofElementary and Secondary Education.  Gist is an EEP signatory who has devoted her career to education reform and closing the achievement gap.

EEP Co-Founder, Chancellor Joel Klein, had this to say on Gist's appointment:

“With the selection of Deb Gist as Commissioner of Education, RhodeIslanders have a dedicated leader who is committed to eliminating theracial and ethnic achievement gap in public schools,” said Joel I.Klein, Chancellor of the New York City Schools and co-founder of theEducation Equality Project. “Now is the time for Rhode Island to seizethis opportunity and accelerate its efforts to close the state’sHispanic-white achievement gap, which is the largest in the nation. TheEducation Equality Project looks forward to working with CommissionerDeb Gist to put in place proven solutions that will help to createeffective teachers and schools for all of the students in Rhode Island.”

Klein joined a host of national leaders excited by Rhode Island's choice:

-- U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan (also an EEP signatory):  “Deborah Gist has shown strong, innovative leadership in Washington,D.C.,” said Arne Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of Education. “At a timewhen schools all across America need to get better to compete in theglobal economy, Deb will be a force for real and meaningful reform. Ilook forward to working with her and the State of Rhode Island to giveour children the best education possible.”

 -- Teach for America CEO Wendy Kopp:  “Through Teach for America’s close work with Deb Gist in Washington,D.C., we found her to be a driven reformer and a true model for thecountry in her ability to meaningfully connect every policy decision tothe best interests of students,” said Wendy Kopp, Chief ExecutiveOfficer and Founder of Teach for America. “She has taken an innovativeapproach in her work and made decisions that challenge the status quoon issues like certification of new teachers. She leads changeinclusively, bringing together individuals with diverse perspectivesand interests and aligning the group with focus and purpose inanswering the question, ‘what will be best for our students?’

 -- Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty (also an EEP signatory):  “Deborah Gist has been a powerful voice for improving education forD.C. residents of all ages,” Washington, D.C., Mayor Adrian M. Fentysaid. “Her leadership as D.C.’s State Superintendent has been criticalin the improvements that we have all worked so hard to bring about inthe District. I am grateful for Deborah’s service to the children ofWashington and wish her the very best.”

Read full coverage of Gist's announcement at ABC.com.

Categories: Education News Signatories