Monday, May 03, 2010 -
The Memphis News -

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander was in Memphis this month for several events, including a briefing on the anti-crime strategy Operation Safe Community and a forum at the University of Memphis.

A former governor and U.S. secretary of education, Alexander talked with us about current events in Washington, as well as education reform.

What are your thoughts on the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court with the retirement of Justice John Paul Stevens?

A: “The United States Senate will be preoccupied with a presidential nomination for the Supreme Court. That always comes front and center. I’m sure that it will in this case. … The Senate is a place for debate. That’s why we have it. I think we treat each other with a lot of courtesy, but all of the Supreme Court nominees over the last 20 or 30 years have been vigorously debated. There was a time when they were almost all approved. … I think we’ll look forward to what President Obama decides to do. I hope he will select someone from the middle rather than from the edge. If he selects someone from the middle who is well qualified, I’m sure that person will be expeditiously considered and confirmed.”

What is your opinion of Race to the Top funding for Tennessee?

A: “I’m very proud of Gov. Bredesen, legislators and educators in Tennessee for winning the Race to the Top. That plus the Gates Foundation grant to Memphis gives Memphis one additional chance to demonstrate national leadership by showing that you can tie teacher effectiveness to student performance and improve schools. We know that the children of Memphis, even if they come from disadvantaged backgrounds, are perfectly capable of succeeding.”

From your experience as a governor who took on education reform in the 1980s, how do you view current education reform efforts?

A: “We’ve made a lot of progress. … I think the (U.S.) education secretary, Arne Duncan, is one of President Obama’s best appointees. He’s taking on difficult challenges like charter schools, rewarding outstanding teachers, encouraging higher standards, dealing with failing schools ... and he deserves some support."