PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Tuesday expressed his support for state education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist just three days before her future will be decided by the state Board of Education.
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Duncan, in a phone call with local reporters, said he was speaking out because Rhode Island, under Gist's leadership, has made notable progress. He cited the state's winning two multi-million Race to the Top grants and improving test scores.
"I think if you look at the majority of indicators, whether it's graduation rates or test scores going up, this state has made some real progress," he said. "It's important to pick out the personality issues and look at what's happening for students in Rhode Island. The reality is we have a state that is making some real progress in the right direction."