WASHINGTON – Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and civil rightsfigure Al Sharpton say they’re anxious to start working with Education Secretary Arne Duncan to upgrade failing schools.
Gingrich and Sharpton long have been political opposites, differing on a host of issues concerning what’s right for the country. But on education, the pair said Friday they’re ready to set partisanship aside and pitch in.
Interviewed on NBC’s “Today” show, Gingrich and Sharpton said more must be done to improve poor student performance, and they’ll travel with Duncan to Philadelphia, New Orleans and Baltimore to visit schools starting next month. Gingrich said he believes Sharpton “has it exactly right, that education has to be the No. 1 civil rights issue of the21st century.”