Dive Brief:

• Speaking at the National Press Club on Monday, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan slammed Congress for not reaching a deal to fund the government or reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as well as an immigration overhaul.
• Duncan particularly targeted opponents of the new Common Core State Standards, labeling their complaints as "political silliness."
• He also touted the Obama administration's higher education proposal and ongoing pre-K efforts, and called on moderate Republicans to stand up to their more conservative counterparts.

Dive Insight:

Aside from the political barbs, there wasn't much new to note in Duncan's speech. Still, the speech was a good move by the education secretary to draw attention to the shutdown's impact on schools. Regardless, painting all opposition to the Common Core standards as "political silliness" probably won't sit well with those who have legitimate concerns about its one-size-fits-all approach and the lack of research behind it.