An Open Letter to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan #

October 15th, 2010 #

Dear Secretary Duncan: #

I hope this communication finds you well.  I know you’re a busy fellow, and certainly you’ve got much on your plate.  I suspect that you might not even have time to read this short letter, but I do hope that someone might scan it and give you the highlights. #

As you know, October 20th is the second annual National Day on Writing.  As a reminder, here’s the text of the Senate resolution marking the day: #

Expressing support for the designation of October 20, 2010, as the `National Day on Writing’. #

Whereas people in the 21 st century are writing more than ever before for personal, professional, and civic purposes; #

Whereas the social nature of writing invites people of every age, profession, and walk of life to create meaning through composing; #

Whereas more and more people in every occupation deem writing as essential and influential in their work; #

Whereas writers continue to learn how to write for different purposes, audiences, and occasions throughout their lifetimes; #

Whereas developing digital technologies expand the possibilities for composing in multiple media at a faster pace than ever before; #

Whereas young people are leading the way in developing new forms of composing by using different forms of digital media; #

Whereas effective communication contributes to building a global economy and a global community; #

Whereas the National Council of Teachers of English, in conjunction with its many national and local partners, honors and celebrates the importance of writing through the National Day on Writing; #

Whereas the National Day on Writing celebrates the foundational place of writing in the personal, professional, and civic lives of the people of the United States; #

Whereas the National Day on Writing provides an opportunity for individuals across the United States to share and exhibit their written works through the National Gallery of Writing; #

Whereas the National Day on Writing highlights the importance of writing instruction and practice at every educational level and in every subject area; #

Whereas the National Day on Writing emphasizes the lifelong process of learning to write and compose for different audiences, purposes, and occasions; #

Whereas the National Day on Writing honors the use of the full range of media for composing, from traditional tools like print, audio, and video, to Web 2.0 tools like blogs, wikis, and podcasts; and #

Whereas the National Day on Writing encourages all people of the United States to write, as well as to enjoy and learn from the writing of others: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate– #

(1) supports the designation of October 20, 2010, as the `National Day on Writing’;
(2) strongly affirms the purposes of the National Day on Writing;
(3) encourages participation in the National Galley of Writing, which serves as an exemplary living archive of the centrality of writing in the lives of the people of the United States; and
(4) encourages educational institutions, businesses, community and civic associations, and other organizations to promote awareness of the National Day on Writing and celebrate the writing of the members those organizations through individual submissions to the National Gallery of Writing. #

I’m also wondering if you know how many of our Senators, those fine folks who approved this resolution, will take the time to write on the 20th.  Perhaps most of them will.  I know that writing is an essential element of the job of you and your colleagues.  I wonder if you’ll be taking some time to do some writing, creative or otherwise, on the 20th. #

I notice that you only have one appointment that day, a visit and speech with some folks who think pretty highly of  words and letters and writers.  I wonder if you might, in your remarks, ask them to join you in writing something together, just for ten minutes or so, as a way of properly paying respect to the National Day on Writing. #

Wouldn’t that be neat – if our Secretary of Education were to lead a dedicated time of writing?  Boy, that’d be something I’d like to see.  I think that modeling is about the best teaching strategy that we have.  Don’t you, Secretary Duncan?  Wouldn’t it be powerful for so many in our country to see you stop what you’re doing and spend time writing with others?  If the luncheon isn’t a good time to do so, perhaps you might ask your staff to write with you earlier or later in the day.  You could create a gallery on the National Gallery of Writing where you and your colleagues could share what you wrote.  It wouldn’t have to be much – a short poem, a narrative memory.  A memo, or perhaps a scene from a screenplay.  Anything that you might write would be worth sharing, I’m sure.  Again, the power of you spending time writing with others – wow.² #

There are lots of organizations who are already using the National Gallery of Writing to share their words. Wouldn’t it be neat if you joined them and encouraged others to do so? #

So how about it, Secretary Duncan?  Would you be willing to write, in public, in honor of the day?  The Senate has expressed the importance of writing. I know that you value it.  Won’t you consider taking ten minutes to ask folks to write silently, together, during our national celebration?    And then share some of what gets written? #

That’d be a good way to spend the day.  Teachers and students all across the country would learn from your powerful example.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on the idea. #

Yours in service, #

Bud #

PS – I can suggest some writing prompts or strategies for sharing your work if you’d like.  Don’t hesitate to ask.  I know lots of other folks who could offer suggestions, too.  Just let us know. #

1. I know, it’s a tricky title – states’ rights and all – but you are the person that we look to for educational leadership in the federal government. [↩]
2. I’d also love to see you engage with your staff in some regular sustained silent reading.  That’d be something – to watch y’all drop everything and read.  So important.  So powerful. [↩]