U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan underscored the importance of increased funding and innovative education reform yesterday in a packed UC Auditorium.

“What is the smartest use of our scarce education dollars?” Duncan asked. “The answer, I believe, is that high quality early learning is the best educational investment in our children, in our communities and ultimately, in our country. I say every child needs and deserves a well-rounded world class education.”

He said longitudinal studies project high returns for investment in early education.

“At the polling booth, voters are approving referendums to expand preschool programs even if it means paying slightly higher taxes,” Duncan said. “I have every faith we will soon see Tennessee expand its preschool program as well.”

Congressman John Duncan, Chancellor Jimmy Cheek and Senator Howard Baker Jr. turned out for this installment of the Baker Distinguished Lecture Series.

“We established the Baker Distinguished Lecture Series in honor of one of our own, Senator Howard H. Baker Jr., to honor his distinguished career. … He is someone we should all in Tennessee — in the nation for that matter — be very proud of,” Matt Murray, director of the Baker Center, said.

Duncan praised Tennessee for the emphasis placed on remedying a troubled educational system, specifically for being one of the first two states in the nation to receive Race to the Top funding in 2009.

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to talk about how this state is literally helping to lead the nation where we need to go in education,” Duncan said. “It is no secret that for many years Tennessee actually lagged behind most states in academic achievement and how to attain it. I’m not interested in where you were, but where you are going. … State assessment scores have jumped, and graduations are on the rise.”

He highlighted the bipartisan successes made by Governor Bill Haslam and Educational Commissioner Kevin Huffman.

“Tennessee’s legislators and governors have treated K-12 education as an investment in the state’s future … the legislature has not let the perfect become the enemy of the good,” Duncan said. “Tennessee has provided a great model of governance and partnership.

“Tennessee has been a font of innovation and creativity,” he said.

The secretary praised Tennessee’s teacher evaluation system established by former Governor Phil Bredesen that bases 50 percent of a teacher’s score on student achievement.

He used this example of reform to call for a general paradigm change in U.S. education.

“It is time as a nation that we finally level the playing field and stop playing catch-up in our schools,” he said.

Duncan charged members of the educational system and students in the audience to keep up the good work.

“This commitment to continuous improvement in Tennessee is real, not some slogan, and other states can learn from it,” Duncan said. “It takes courage to make yourself vulnerable, but it also makes you better …

“This is real progress and it should absolutely be celebrated.”

He encouraged the state to implement research-based reforms.

“For all of the progress, there is still a long way to go,” he said. “Students in most states still out perform students in Tennessee.”