In a healthy system, there is no blame.

Things get done only if the data we gather can inform and inspire those in a position to make a difference.

School improvement is not a mystery. Incremental, even dramatic improvement is not only possible but probable under the right conditions.

Learning, without any opportunities to share what we've learned, is a little like cooking for ourselves; we do it, but we probably won't do it as well.

When we unnecessarily elongate the process of "learning to read," we postpone "reading to learn learning itself - by years.

Reforms often fail because politics favors symbols over substance.

Do what gives you joy and you will enjoy what you do.

They [dogs] never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself, and keep up an appearance of being interested in the conversation.

It has always seemed to me that the best symbol of common sense was a bridge.

There are always new places to go fishing. For any fisherman, there's always a new place, always a new horizon

People have to decide do we want our country for ourselves with the people in charge or are we going to elect the the KGB and the House Republicans to decide this election [2016].

We have first lady Michelle Obama on the show tonight. As you'd expect, security's been pretty tight. On my way in I got five pat-downs, and that was just from Joe Biden.

Partnership is not a posture but a process-a continuous process that grows stronger each year as we devote ourselves to common tasks.

In Rockford I decided that I had seen enough of the world.

Then came a big strike. About 100 girls went out. The result was a victory, which netted us - I mean the girls - $2 increase in our wages on the average.

Surely we have the wit and will to develop economically without despoiling the very environment we depend upon