Chicago Public Schools chief Arne Duncan appears well on his way to becoming the country's next education secretary. A U.S. Senate committee earlier today spent two hours gently questioning Duncan at his confirmation hearing.

Several members of the Senate education committee commended Duncan for his accomplishments in Chicago. The school district chief laid out his positions on teacher incentive pay, special education and charter schools.

On that last note, Duncan expressed to Senators his strong support for new kinds of schooling in this country.

DUNCAN: Our dropout rate is unacceptably high in Chicago, it is unacceptably high around the country.  We have to continue to build upon what works and do a lot more of it, things that aren't working we have to have the courage to challenge the status quo.

Duncan has faced criticism from some teachers and community groups for closing down underperforming schools in Chicago.

Still, Tom Harkin of Iowa, who chaired the hearing, said he had no doubt Duncan would be confirmed by the Senate.