Terrel Bell

Terrel Bell was an American educator and public servant who served as the second United States Secretary of Education under President Ronald Reagan. A former United States Commissioner of Education, he is best known for commissioning the landmark 1983 report A Nation at Risk, which sparked a nationwide debate on education reform in the United States. His career spanned roles as a teacher, superintendent, and state education official, primarily in the Interior West.

Early life and education

Born in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, Bell grew up during the Great Depression and worked on the family farm. He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, seeing action in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he pursued higher education, earning a degree from the Southern Idaho College of Education (now part of Idaho State University). He later obtained a master's degree from the University of Idaho and a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Utah.

Career in education

Bell began his professional career as a science teacher and coach in Idaho Falls. He rose through the ranks to become superintendent of several school districts in Idaho and Wyoming. His administrative skills led to his appointment as Superintendent of Public Instruction for the state of Utah in 1963. In this role, he gained a reputation for fiscal conservatism and advocacy for local control of schools. His work attracted the attention of the Ford Administration, leading to his federal appointment.

United States Secretary of Education

Appointed by President Ronald Reagan, who had initially pledged to abolish the newly created Department of Education, Bell took office in 1981. Despite political pressure, he successfully defended the department's existence. His most significant action was establishing the National Commission on Excellence in Education, which produced the seminal report A Nation at Risk. The report's stark warnings about a "rising tide of mediocrity" in American schools ignited a major reform movement and influenced policies for decades. He also worked on issues related to bilingual education, student loans, and the Education for All Handicapped Children Act.

Post-government career and legacy

After resigning in 1984, Bell returned to Utah, where he taught at the University of Utah and served as an advisor to various educational organizations. He authored several books, including *The Thirteenth Man: A Reagan Cabinet Memoir*. His legacy is inextricably linked to A Nation at Risk, which is widely credited with placing education policy at the forefront of the national political agenda. The report's impact is compared to that of the Sputnik crisis in shaping federal involvement in American education.

Personal life

Bell married his wife, Betty, and they had four children. He was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fly fishing and spending time in the mountains of the American West. He died in Salt Lake City from pulmonary fibrosis in 1996. The Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership was established in his honor by the U.S. Department of Education.

Category:1921 births Category:1996 deaths Category:United States Secretaries of Education Category:American educators Category:People from Idaho Category:University of Utah alumni