Well there seems to be a trend in the Obama administration...an utter contempt for white, working class males and white, middle-class students....this OBAMA pick has spent her career focusing on advancing achievement of low-income minorities EXCEPT for Asian and White students regardless of whether they are low-income and struggling as well. Notice how her focus will be on blacks, hispanics, and native americans and low-income......white middle-class students struggling financially, academically etc. NEED NOT APPLY. LL





Obama to nominate Oakland trust executive to Department of Education post

By Dana Hull

Mercury News
Posted: 02/05/2009 12:24:38 PM PST

Russlynn Ali, currently director of the Education... ( courtesy of the Educ

Another Bay Area mover-and-shaker may be heading to Washington.

President Barack Obama announced today his intent to nominate Russlynn Ali as the assistant secretary for civil rights at the Department of Education. The appointment signals that the achievement gap — the academic gulf separating many white and Asian students from their black and Latino peers — will get renewed attention with Ali at the helm.

Ali is vice president of the Education Trust and for eight years has directed the Education Trust-West, the West Coast partner of EdTrust, in Oakland.

The organization works to promote high academic achievement for all students at all levels, with an emphasis on serving Latino, African American, Native American and low-income students.

"I am so pleased that President Obama has recognized the talent, experience, and commitment of Russlynn Ali,'' said Jack O'Connell, California's state superintendent of public instruction. "She has always been a strong and consistent voice for improving public education and holding high standards and high expectations for all students. I value her partnership on many fronts, but most particularly in the ongoing work to close the achievement gap in California.''

Ali attended Spelman College and graduated from American University with a bachelor's degree in law and society. After earning a law degree from Northwestern University, she practiced corporate and civil rights law before
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switching careers to the non-profit sector. She has held senior positions at several education-related organizations, including liaison to the president of the Children's Defense Fund in Washington, D.C.; chief of staff to the president of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education; and deputy co-director of Advancement Project.

"Russlynn brings passion for, expertise in and dedication to equality and fairness in education, and her tireless work and commitment have changed the lives of low-income students from across the nation,'' said Education Secretary Arne Duncan in a statement. "I very much look forward to working with her."

Contact Dana Hull at dhull@mercurynews.com or (40 920-2706.