Duncan: preschool key to solving education crisis

Associated Press - October 26, 2009 2:54 PM ET

ATLANTA (AP) - Education Secretary Arne Duncan says the key to solving the education crisis in the United States is offering quality early childhood programs to every child.

Duncan spoke to thousands of educators from across the country gathered in Atlanta on Monday for the National Black Child Development Institute. He said schools have to become like community centers that are open 14 hours a day and offer extra music, sports and academic programs.

Duncan said the U.S. has a historic chance to transform education and get out of the "catch up business" with other countries like China.

He talked about the after-school program his mother founded in 1961 to help poor black students on Chicago's southside as an example of what every neighborhood needs to really make a difference.

On the Net:

National Black Child Development Institute: http://www.nbcdi.org/