Education Secretary Visits With Chicago High School Students Teachers

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Federal Education Secretary Arne Duncan was on Chicago's West Side this afternoon to talk about excellence in education, he participated in a round table discussion.

Officials say in 2010 the graduation rate at Benito Juarez Community Academy was 57 percent. Now, it is about 90 percent and Education Secretary Arne Duncan came to discuss the success. Parents, students and teachers told him it is parental involvement, high expectations and determination all around.

"This is same student, same family, same neighborhood, same building, very difference set of expectations, very different leadership, very different culture. What you are seeing are markedly better results in s short amount of time," said Duncan.

Asked to comment on the debate in Chicago on charter schools versus neighborhood schools, he sidestepped the issue saying the main thing is to ensure that all schools are excellent.