5 Things You Should Know About Education Secretary Cardona
Miguel Cardona, a product of Connecticut public schools and a former classroom teacher, is the 12th United States Secretary of Education. Before being sworn in, Secretary Cardona served as Connecticut’s Commissioner of Education—the first Latino to hold the position. In this article, we discuss the five key things you should know about Education Secretary Cardona.
1. His family’s immigrant background
Cardona is the youngest son of Puerto Rican parents. His parents moved to Meriden, Connecticut, when they were young, and Cardona grew up and attended public schools there. The Cardona family’s immigrant experience, and their struggle to make ends meet, gave Miguel an appreciation for the importance of education in advancing social mobility.
2. His focus on equity
As a classroom teacher, Cardona saw firsthand the inequities in the educational system that disadvantaged students from low-income backgrounds and communities of color. He has long been an advocate for equity in education, including equal access to high-quality schools and programs.
3. His COVID-19 response
Cardona’s tenure as Education Secretary comes at a time of unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has been instrumental in the administration’s efforts to reopen schools safely, while also ensuring that schools are adequately equipped to address the pandemic’s impact on students’ learning and well-being.
4. His commitment to vocational education
Cardona believes that career and technical education (CTE) has an important role to play in preparing students for high-demand, high-skill jobs. He has been an active advocate for CTE programs and has worked to expand access to these programs for underserved students.
5. His approach to higher education
Cardona has a strong record of promoting college access and success. He has worked to increase funding for Pell Grants, which help low-income students afford college, and has advocated for policies to reduce student loan debt. He has also emphasized the importance of workforce development programs to help students get good-paying jobs after completing their education.
Conclusion
Secretary Cardona brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to equity to his role as Education Secretary. His personal background, combined with his professional experience as a teacher and administrator, make him uniquely qualified to lead the Department of Education during this challenging time. As he works to advance the administration’s education agenda, we can expect to see a continued focus on equity, access, and innovation in education policy.
