Dr. Fred G. Burke served as the Commissioner of Education in Rhode Island from 1971-1974. Burke was responsible for the eventual state funding of education from the newly instituted income tax (1972) and instituting a statewide salary scale for teachers. In 1974 he was appointed Commissioner of Education in New Jersey by then Governor Brendan Byrne and served until 1982. He became dean of the graduate school at the University of Connecticut and in 1992 became a senior fellow at the Phelps Stokes Fund. Before coming to Rhode Island, Dr. Burke taught political science at Ohio Wesleyan University, Syracuse University and SUNY Buffalo. During that time he traveled to Africa, wrote books on African affairs, was a consultant to the UN Economic Commission for Africa and directed training of Peace Corp volunteers in East Africa.
From the guide to the Dr. Frederick (Fred) Burke Commissioner of Education speeches, Burke (Dr. Frederick (Fred)) Commissioner of Education speeches, 1969-1974, (bulk 1971-1973), (Rhode Island State Archives)
