People I (Mostly) Admire Arne Duncan Says All Kids Deserve a Chance — and Criminals Deserve a Second One (Update)
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Jul 26, 2025 
Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education and founder of the C.R.E.D. organization, dives deep into education reform and community resilience. He tackles the impact of cheating scandals in Chicago schools and shares insights from his transformative leadership experiences. The conversation highlights innovative strategies for reducing urban gun violence and the importance of second chances for youth. Personal stories of redemption and the vital role of community support in fostering safer neighborhoods underscore the discussion.
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America Values Guns More Than Kids
- Despite America claiming to value education, investment and innovation lag behind top-performing nations.
- Similarly, gun ownership is valued more than children's safety, causing devastating child gun violence unlike other nations.
Childhood Bridging Neighborhood Divides
- Arne Duncan grew up two blocks from current home, attending interracial afterschool programs run by his mother.
- He witnessed stark opportunity gaps despite comparable talent, inspiring his lifelong focus on equity.
Confronting Cheating Head-On
- Steve Levitt discovered teacher cheating in Chicago Public Schools and alerted Arne Duncan, who reacted with honesty and cooperation.
- Together, they reduced cheating through transparency and retesting, maintaining trust in the education system.
