PIE Network Members & Partners React to Secretary of Education Nomination

[Updated January 7, 2021]

“The next education secretary will inherit a once-in-a-lifetime challenge to reset the education system for more than 50 million children after the COVID-19 pandemic.”

~ Sarah Carpenter, Executive Director, Memphis Lift in Newsweek

President-Elect Joe Biden has nominated Dr. Miguel Cardona for U.S. Secretary of Education. If confirmed, Cardona, a former CT teacher and principal, will leave his post as Connecticut Commissioner of Education to serve as the first Latino U.S. Secretary of Education. 

Here are links to and excerpts from PIE Network leaders’ reactions so far, and links to learn more about Cardona’s work in Connecticut and where he stands on pivotal education issues.

Did we miss a statement or reaction from your organization? Let us know. 

PIE NETWORK MEMBERS AND PARTNERS REACT

  • Center for American Progress: “President-elect Biden’s nomination of Miguel Cardona for secretary of education means that our country’s 77 million students will soon be under the stewardship of someone with genuine experience in the field of education: a former public elementary school teacher, administrator, and principal of the year.” ~ Mara Rudman, Executive Vice President
  • ConnCAN: “In two years, Commissioner Cardona has proven to be a steady hand who leads with an equity focus. He is eager to provide a quality education for all students and works with all stakeholders to make it happen.” ~ Subira Gordon, Executive Director
  • Democrats for Education Reform: “DFER congratulates Commissioner Cardona on his nomination as the next U.S. Secretary of Education. Dr. Cardona has distinguished himself as a strong advocate for equity who will put students and families first. “ ~Shavar Jeffries, National President
  • Educators for Excellence: “On behalf of E4E, our nearly 35,000 members and our entire team, I would like to congratulate Dr. Miguel Cardona on his appointment as education secretary. Having had the privilege to work with Dr. Cardona and observe his leadership in Connecticut, I know that he shares a deep commitment to increasing equity and excellence in education.”  ~ Evan Stone, Co-Founder and Co-CEO 
  • The Education Trust: “Miguel’s leadership in Connecticut demonstrates a deep commitment to education equity and diversity. His experience as an educator will be vital to helping the nation recover from the COVID-19 crisis and to addressing persistent opportunity gaps for students of color and those from low-income backgrounds.” ~John B. King, Jr., President and CEO
  • Foundation for Excellence in Education: “ExcelinEd extends congratulations to Miguel Cardona on the nomination for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. The year ahead holds challenges and great promise to help students. Several key policies will be vital to their success, and we encourage the new secretary to consider these on day 1.” ~Patricia Levesque, CEO
  • The Hunt Institute: “Congratulations to @teachcardona on your nomination to be the next US Secretary of Education. We look forward to supporting your efforts to provide an equitable education to all children.” 
  • Memphis Lift: “Miguel Cardona emerging as the nominee for the nation’s top education job is a boost for many families like my own because we need a secretary who… will immediately address the critical gaps that have, for too long, hurt minority students.” ~ Sarah Carpenter, Executive Director
  • National Alliance for Public Charter Schools: “We look forward to working with Secretary Cardona and his team to ensure the voices of parents are heard, and every student has access to a high-quality public education. Black and Latino parents overwhelmingly support charter schools, and we expect Cardona’s commitment to educational equity will include protecting their ability to access these schools.” ~ Nina Rees, President and CEO
  • National Parents Union: “¡Felicidades, @teachcardona! We know you won’t forget to bring parents and families to the table to build a brighter future for our children. We are ready to work with you on Day 1 to begin building back better for our kids.”
  • ReadyCT: “Congratulations to @JoeBiden‘s @usedgov secretary nominee, @teachcardona. Dr. Cardona, who was the first guest on our #TalkED podcast, is an outstanding choice.“
  • Stand for Children: “Congratulations, @teachcardona. As President-elect Biden’s nominee for Secretary of Education, this life-long educator will dismantle systemic inequities for students & ensure students & teachers are set up for success.”
  • Teach Plus: “Teach Plus applauds the nomination of Dr. Miguel Cardona as the next U.S. Secretary of Education…. Dr. Cardona’s track record as a collaborative leader and his ability to unify voices to focus on the health, safety, learning, and well-being of students during this pandemic is just what’s needed to move our nation forward.”  ~ Roberto Rodriguez, President and CEO
  • Thomas B. Fordham Institute Education Gadfly Podcast, featuring Subira Gordon of ConnCAN: “He really cares about kids, specifically kids that have been marginalized. He wants the best for all kids across the spectrum whether they attend a magnet school, a charter school, or a traditional public school.” ~ Subira Gordon, ConnCAN Executive Director

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PIE Network

PIE Network

The PIE Network connects, strengthens, and catalyzes the work of education advocates across communities, states, and ideological lines to transform education so that every student, in every community can achieve a future with no limits.