The Black Informant | African American Commentary, News and Community Building

First, a little bit about Arne Duncan:

Arne Duncan (born November 6, 1964) is an American education administrator and currently United States Secretary of Education since January 20, 2009. Duncan had previously served as CEO of the Chicago Public Schools. (from wikipedia)

Let me also add that he was the CEO of C.P.S. since 2001. Got it?

Let’s take a look at story where 818 students since 2003 in the district he managed had reported being beaten by teachers. When the parents reported these incidents, most of the teachers received a slap on the wrist.

Please click on image to watch the report.

Click image to watch CBS 2 investigation

‘Painful Lessons’: Abuse At Chicago Schools
Hundreds Of Kids Beaten, Whipped, Even Choked By Teachers, Coaches

Hundreds of students have allegedly been beaten by teachers, coaches and staff at Chicago Public Schools. 2 Investigator Dave Savini continues his ongoing investigation involving the illegal use corporal punishment.

Treveon Martin, 10, is afraid of a teacher at his school.

“I’ve seen him hit five of them in the classroom,” Martin said.

Martin says he and others have been hit, grabbed and even struck with a belt.

“He’s threatened almost all the kids in his classroom,” Martin said.

He says it happened at Robert Emmet Academy in November but a Chicago Public School investigator didn’t talk to him until last week – 70 days after the case was reported, and not until after we started asking questions.

“He holded my arms and he picked my body up, and then he just slammed me on the desk,” Martin said.

An exclusive CBS 2 investigation discovered Treveon Martin is one of at least 818 Chicago Public School students, since 2003, to allege being battered by a teacher or an aide, coach, security guard, or even a principal. In most of those cases – 568 of them – Chicago Public School investigators determined the children were telling the truth.

“I’m thinking that I don’t really feel safe,” Martin said.

The 2 Investigators found reports of students beaten with broomsticks, whipped with belts, yard sticks, struck with staplers, choked, stomped on and pushed down stairs. One substitute teacher even fractured a student’s neck. (more…)

From another article commenting on Duncan’s selection as Secretary of Education.

The selection of Duncan almost certainly will renew debates about Obama’s commitment to public schools, as the president-elect has opted not to send his daughters to the district that Duncan oversees. The Obama girls attend the prestigious University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, where Duncan also attended and his wife once worked as the athletic director.

Obama has defended his decision to send the girls to private school, saying it was the best choice for his family.

“I taught there, and it was five minutes from our house. So it was the best option for our kids,” Obama said in 2007.

It would have been the best choice for any parent who didn’t want to see their children beaten.