Unlike Arizona female politicians of the past, Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas, hobnobbed with President Obama and kept here finger out of his face when she met with him during her attendance at the national Council of Chief Superintendents of Schools Organization (CCSSO) annual conference in Washington, D.C.
Douglas also met with fellow state superintendents, who were also spending taxpayer dollars, to rub shoulders with the nation’s top educrats.
Douglas press release reads:
The CCSSO was very supportive and favorable to the approach for public input and continuing high standards that she is implementing for Arizona, Douglas said. In addition, she networked with her colleagues and they discussed innovations being proposed in each state and at the national level.
Superintendent Douglas and Chief of Staff Michael Bradley had a private meeting with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. They discussed a number of issues, including standards, funding and flexibility proposals. The discussion was outstanding and an ongoing dialogue schedule has been established. Douglas had lunch with Duncan following the meeting.
Douglas also met with President Obama to discuss education policy and funding. It was very cordial and the President was supportive and revealed an interest in increasing funding for early education and gap coverages at the federal level.
The Superintendent also discussed education policy with Sen. Lamar Alexander, Sen. Patty Murray and other Congressional leaders in their private chambers on the Hill. Superintendent Douglas advocated for funding, flexibility and Arizona-based standards and proposals.
“I had my doubts about the CCSSO since they wrote Common Core and about meeting with the Democrat controlled federal executive branch. I did so, because education funding and flexibility for Arizona is essential.” Douglas continued, “I am very glad for the experience. CCSSO was completely supportive of my plans for continuous improvement and the Secretary and President both expressed support for continued federal funding to help our most disadvantaged children.”
The Superintendent has scheduled regular conversations with CCSSO, her fellow state superintendents, and with Secretary Duncan.
“The continuous flow of information back and forth will allow Arizona to move forward independently without the federal government punishing us fiscally for our initiatives to help children that might differ from those pursued by other states,” Douglas said.