Mike Magee, CEO of Chiefs for Change, a bipartisan network of state and district education leaders, today issued the following statement on news that President-elect Biden will nominate Miguel Cardona to serve as U.S. Secretary of Education.
This is a difficult time for our nation’s students and schools as they struggle to cope with the wide-ranging effects of COVID-19. The virus has had a profound impact on children’s health and wellbeing and has exacerbated long-standing inequities for students of color, those from low-income families, and children with special needs. In order to overcome the challenges of the moment—and create stronger education systems for the future—we must work together.
On today’s news that President-elect Biden will nominate Miguel Cardona as U.S. secretary of education, we congratulate Dr. Cardona and affirm our commitment to collaborating with the incoming administration on efforts in the best interest of America’s children, including:
- President-elect Biden’s pledge to get students back into the classroom during his first 100 days.
- Additional federal funding for education that incentivizes systems to distribute resources in an evidence-based and equitable manner.
- The development and piloting of new accountability systems and assessments that make it possible for educators and families to know what children are learning and how well their schools are preparing them to succeed in life.
- Measures that support positive postsecondary outcomes for students such as doubling the maximum award for Pell Grants and lifting the ban on a Student Unit Record System.
As a bipartisan network of state and district education chiefs, we urge Dr. Cardona to build a team with deep knowledge, experience, and expertise in leading large urban school systems and state education departments. We stand ready to partner with all those who are committed to ensuring every child receives the high-quality education they need and deserve.
