Rod Paige, the first African American to serve as U.S. education secretary under President George W. Bush, has died at 92. Born in Monticello, Mississippi, Paige led the Department of Education’s implementation of the No Child Left Behind law, which aimed to standardize testing standards and hold schools accountable for student outcomes.
A former superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, Paige was known for his commitment to high expectations for students, regardless of their background. He believed that assigning “high expectations” was essential for childhood development and encouraged educators to support students in achieving their goals.
Paige’s legacy extends beyond his time as education secretary. He played a pivotal role in integrating Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, which was once an all-white venue, and went on to become the interim president of Jackson State University in 2016 at the age of 83.
The Department of Education announced Paige’s passing without providing further details, but former President Bush remembered him as a “leader and a friend” who challenged “the soft bigotry of low expectations.” Jackson State University also released a statement expressing their sadness over Paige’s passing, citing his inspiring impact on students.
Source: https://www.mississippifreepress.org/rod-paige-mississippi-native-and-the-first-african-american-to-be-secretary-of-education-dies-at-92