WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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Bev Smith and Cornelius Wright joined Dr. Roderick Paige.
PART ONE
On January 21, 2001, the United States Senate confirmed Dr. Roderick Paige as the 7th U.S. Secretary of Education. For Dr. Paige, the son of a principal and a librarian in public schools, that day was the crowning achievement of a long career in education. Born in 1933 in segregated Monticello, Mississippi, Dr. Paige’s accomplishments speak of his commitment to education. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Jackson State University in his home state. He then earned both a master’s and a doctoral degree from Indiana University.
Dr. Paige began working with students early in his career as a teacher and a coach. He then served for a decade as dean of the College of Education at Texas Southern University (TSU). In this position, Dr. Paige worked to ensure that future educators would receive the training and expertise necessary to succeed in the classroom. He also established the university’s Center for Excellence in Urban Education, a research facility that concentrates on issues related to instruction and management in urban school systems.
In 1994, Dr. Paige left TSU to become superintendent of HISD, the nation’s seventh largest school district. Inside Houston Magazine named Dr. Paige one of “Houston’s 25 most powerful people” in guiding the city’s growth and prosperity. In 2001, he was named National Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators.
During his tenure as Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education from 2001 to 2005, Dr. Paige was a fierce and innovative champion of education reform who led the way in setting new standards of achievement for all students in our education system. He spearheaded the implementation of the historic No Child Left Behind Act, with its goal of reinvigorating America’s education system. Dr. Paige Cornelius and Bev by phone this evening to shed some light on his illustrious career.
PART TWO
Headline news and local calendar events of interest to the African-American community.
CREDITS
Hosts: Bev Smith and Cornelius Wright
Bring It On! is produced by Clarence Boone
Executive Producer Alycin Bektesh
Our News Editor is Michael Nowlin
Our Board Engineer is Chris Martin
