Cavazos, Lauro F 1994-04-23
Dr. Cavazos discusses his tenure as United States Secretary of Education.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Lauro F. Cavazos
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: April 23, 1994
Location: Port Aransas, Texas
Interviewer: David Murrah
Length: Not Given (2 tapes)
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1:
Secretary of Education,
Reagan administration approached him in 1980,
Cavazos refused because of Texas Tech presidency,
Political experiences,
Appointed to board of regents of Uniformed Services Medical School,
Served on numerous academic boards,
Awards,
1983 received Outstanding Education Award from Reagan,
Texas Tech presidency,
After eight years decided to resign,
Wanted to return to teaching,
Secretary of Education (again),
Contracted in June 1988,
Saw an opportunity to express views on education,
Accepted position,
Worked several months under Reagan,
Political party,
Cavazos independent voter,
Disliked Republican rhetoric,
Voted for individual not party,
Cavazos lacked support,
Viewed as a liberal,
Bush administration,
Cavazos retained as education secretary,
Opponents viewed Cavazos as political pawn,
Different administration than Reagan's
Tape 1, Side 2:
Bush administration (again),
Bush met with Cavazos in the beginning,
Impressed by Bush's position on education,
Tenure as secretary,
Wanted to stay for a few years,
Receiving less money,
Goals of Bush administration,
Raise awareness of deficit in education,
Committed to helping disadvantaged people,
Cavazos goals,
Student loan program in trouble,
Wanted to eliminate banks and give dominion over loans to education department,
Programs,
Pushed President's Excellence Act in Education--gave freedom of choice in public schools,
Bill not passed,
Criticism,
Hispanics criticized Cavazos for reducing money
Tape 2, Side 1:
Mexican American reaction,
Turned away from Cavazos,
Angry Cavazos did not advocate at Texas meeting to direct funds to minorities,
Held parents responsible for not preparing children for bilingual education,
Programs (again),
Approached Mexico's president with the need for bilingual education,
Conducted research into why Mexican American students were failing,
Cavazos comprised recommendation for improving minority education,
Proposed increase in minority scholarships,
Conducted study into why Native American students failed as well,
Bush administration (again),
Bush known as the education president,
Cavazos disagreed,
Bush interested in foreign affairs not education,
Resignation,
Bush wanted to restructure cabinet,
Bush asked Cavazos to become an ambassador,
Resigned due to lack of support,
Resigned on December 15
Tape 2, Side 2:
Bush administration (again),
Press questioned resignation,
Bush did not restructure cabinet when Persian Gulf erupted,
Lamar Alexander replaced Cavazos,
Reflection,
Politicians cannot change educational system,
Education never a focus after election,
Difficult to be apolitical and survive in Washington,
Discusses politicians and their attitudes
Range Dates: 1988-1990s
Bulk Dates: 1988-1990s
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
Thank you for your interest in this oral history interview. Our oral history collection is available to patrons in the Southwest Collection's Reading Room, located on the campus of Texas Tech University. For reading room hours, visit our website. Please contact Reference Staff at least one week prior to your visit to ensure the oral history you are interested in will be available. Due to copyright issues, duplications of our oral histories can only be made for family members. If an oral history transcript has been made available online, the link will be provided on this page. More information on accessing our oral histories is located here. Preferred citation style can be found here.
