During his final days in office, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona emphasized his commitment to prioritizing impactful initiatives over engaging in culture wars. While some Republican states were embroiled in controversies over school history lessons and transgender athlete bans, Cardona remained dedicated to practical measures such as increasing the presence of social workers in schools, expanding summer school programs, and bolstering the recruitment of new teachers.
Cardona's tenure was marked by significant achievements, including facilitating the reopening of schools post-COVID-19, overseeing a substantial influx of federal aid to schools, and implementing student loan cancellations for over 5 million Americans. Despite these successes, his term was not without challenges, as political tensions surrounding education policy continued to escalate.
Conservative critics raised concerns about the pace of school reopenings, academic deficiencies, and mental health issues among youth. Additionally, debates over curriculum content and transgender athlete participation in school sports intensified, with Republican-led states enacting laws to restrict teaching on race and sexuality and ban transgender athletes.
Cardona defended student rights by investigating discrimination complaints and introducing a rule to extend Title IX protections to LGBTQ+ students, although some of his efforts faced legal setbacks and opposition from state authorities.
Reflecting on his experiences, Cardona acknowledged the limitations of federal influence on state policies and highlighted the importance of substantive actions in education. Despite facing setbacks in court and Congress, Cardona cited achievements such as increasing Pell Grants, expanding mental health resources in schools, and facilitating student loan forgiveness for public workers.
While acknowledging challenges like the FAFSA form overhaul, Cardona expressed confidence in the positive impact of his administration's work and urged continued faith in the resilience of the education system. As he concluded his term, Cardona emphasized the pivotal role of teachers and students in shaping the future of public education, underscoring the collective responsibility in advancing educational opportunities for all.
