Most in education would agree Duncan has had a transformative impact on education in America. His signature Race to the Top (RTTT) with its incentives for Common Core and accountability have touched every classroom. Undisputedly, graduation rates have risen. Nevertheless, his advocacy for charter schools has been contentious. He clashed with teacher unions and with those who wanted less of a federal role in education. Clearly, not all would agree his leadership has been for the better.

So, what happens at Department of Education for the last year of the Obama presidency? Avoiding a confirmation battle with Senate Republicans is in the best interest of the POTUS and his educational agenda. There at Duncan's right side in the press conference was the answer. John King, Jr. will serve as Acting Secretary for the rest of the Obama term.

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