** “Teachers should be compensated based on their ability to improve student learning, their ability to be a leader in the school, and their ability to continue to grow as a teacher through a career ladder. So to be a mentor, a master teacher, to take on responsibilities. What I should add there that’s missing is we should compensate teachers and principals for taking on the toughest of assignments, inner-city urban, rural, or remote. And we have areas of critical need, areas like math and science, where we’ve had a shortage for 20, 30 years. Not everyone agrees with me; I think we should pay math and science teachers more money.” ~ Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education

** “If California moves forward with a plan that fails to assess all its students, as required by federal law, the Department will be forced to take action, which could include withholding funds from the state.” ~ Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education

** “”What if 20 years from now, writing by hand on paper is as outdated as taking a chisel and hammer to a slab of stone? It might sound unthinkable, but given the current trajectory of K-12 education, handwriting could take a backseat to typing as technology dominates the way we communicate.” ~ Ricky Ribeiro

** “There is no longer a premium for English. The global conversation is out of control, and our commerce and government are struggling to keep up. … Language is the oil of the 21st century.” ~ William B. Rivers, executive director, Joint National Committee for Languages

** “Teacher websites and online grade reports can be wonderful tools to help parents with their child’s school. However, these same tools can lead to parental over-involvement or helicoptering.” ~ Jennifer Shroff Pendley, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children

** “Sandy Hook changed the playing field. We realize now every school is vulnerable to that kind of tragedy.” ~ Curtis Lavarells, School Safety Advocacy Council