John B. King, Jr.

PHILADELPHIA — In his first major speech, the acting U.S. Secretary of Education John King apologized to the nation’s teachers. Speaking to a small group of teachers, students and local politicians here last month, just three weeks after taking over the post, King admitted the USA’s education debate over the past few years has been “characterized by more heat than light,” and that despite reformers’ best intentions, “teachers and principals, at times, have felt attacked and unfairly blamed for the challenges our nation faces.”

President Obama has selected Deputy Education Secretary John B. King Jr. to replace Arne Duncan. King is a former New York state education commissioner.