Dr. Miguel Cardona Secretary of Education | Official Website
In a recent address to the National Assembly for Family Engagement in Education, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona underscored the significance of genuine parent-family involvement in education. He criticized the use of "parents’ rights" rhetoric by some groups as a divisive tool within school communities and stressed that public education is currently facing unprecedented challenges.
Cardona expressed gratitude to Vito and the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE) for their invitation. He also acknowledged Cecily Darden's leadership at the Department of Education, describing her as "a relentless champion for authentic family engagement."
Reflecting on his early teaching experiences, Cardona shared an impactful encounter with a mother advocating fiercely for her first-grade daughter’s education. The experience taught him about the deep commitment parents have toward their children's welfare. "A mama bear protecting her cub," he said, noting how this sentiment resonates with many parents.
Cardona emphasized his desire as a parent to be seen as an expert on his children and a partner in their education. He highlighted evidence supporting family engagement as crucial for student attendance, engagement, and academic success. However, he noted that such programs are often undervalued and cut during budget constraints.
The Secretary thanked NAFSCE and its supporters for advocating effective family-school-community partnerships. He mentioned over $11 million in grants aimed at strengthening these programs and significant increases in funding for Full-Service Community Schools.
Cardona addressed concerns about certain factions using terms like “parents’ rights” to undermine public education or promote division within schools. He stated unequivocally that most parents reject culture wars in educational settings: "There’s nothing 'pro-parent' about undermining the freedom to learn."
He warned against allowing those who seek to dismantle public education to hide behind parental rights rhetoric. In closing, Cardona urged continued advocacy from all stakeholders: "Together, we can raise the bar for family partnership...and defend public education against those who would destroy it."
