# Speeches

- Secretary Cardona Champions Prison Education Programs in Speech to American Correctional Association Thank you, Denise, for the kind introduction and your leadership. Happy New Year everyone. I applaud the American Correctional Association for hosting this symposium. To everyone working to make education available to people who are incarcerated: thank you.Recently, my Department held a listening session with justice-impacted individuals. And one woman spoke of education's power to transform lives.
- Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona’s Remarks at the Leading Safe, Inclusive, and Non-Discriminatory Learning Environments Webinar (Higher Education Session) Good afternoon, and thank you to all of you who are joining the higher education portion of our webinar on Leading Safe, Inclusive, and Non-discriminatory Learning Environments in the midst of the Israel-Hamas war.The pattern of hate and discrimination and threats of violence we’ve seen in our nation since the October 7th attack in Israel by Hamas has been appalling and horrifying. And it calls for strong action from all of us. That’s especially true on our college and university campuses.
- Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona’s Remarks at the Leading Safe, Inclusive, and Non-Discriminatory Learning Environments Webinar (Pre-K through 12 Session) Thank you, everyone for joining us for today’s webinar on Leading Safe, Inclusive, and Nondiscriminatory Learning Environments.We are hosting this webinar as a proactive strategy to support efforts to address increased reports of antisemitic, anti-Muslim, and anti-Arab harassment at school campuses in the midst of the Israel-Hamas war.Make no mistake: this webinar is intended to provide support as you work to protect children.We’ll start today with a session focused on the P-12 level. Later today, we will have a session for higher education.
- Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona's Remarks on Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) Test Results Thank you, Commissioner Carr, and Department of Education colleagues.I'm glad that we have this unique and important opportunity, thanks to PISA, to compare educational outcomes across countries – especially in the wake of a global pandemic that disrupted education everywhere.Here's the bottom line.  At an extremely tough time in education, the United States moved up in the world rankings in reading, math, and science – all three categories PISA measures – while, unfortunately, many other countries saw declines.
- Secretary Cardona Celebrates Leaders of National Blue Ribbon Schools Thank you, John Wood, for that kind introduction.John is a senior in high school. He's going to be studying music, economics, and public relations. If anyone has any questions about whether our public schools are hitting it out of the park, I'd like to introduce you to John Wood.I'm honored to have been introduced by a student who happens to be not only a leader in his school and community, but an incredible jazz musician.
- Secretary Cardona Touts Multilingual Education in Being Bilingual Is A Superpower Initiative Launch Event Thank you and welcome, everyone!I  want to start with a story that illustrates why we’re here today. It’s  the story of a young undocumented student who came from Mexico City to Texas.At  the time, she didn’t speak a word of English. And I think many of us here  know how challenging that can be – how demoralized you feel when you just can’t  understand what the other students seem to understand right away.  That feeling when your knowledge of a  language other than English suddenly feels like a deficit instead of the asset  it is.
- Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona Stresses Importance of Kindergarten in Early Childhood Education Remarks Thank you.  I’m pleased to be here at Beyer Early  Childhood Center in Rockford, Illinois, with Representative Eric Sorensen and National  Education Association President Becky Pringle to visit an incredible early  learning program here and talk about why we believe early childhood is so  critical to raising the bar for education in this country.	I also want to thank  Mayor McNamara for your presence and leadership.  Superintendent Jarrett, and Director Nelson,  thank you for highlighting the importance of early childhood education the way  you do. 
- Secretary Cardona Emphasizes Need for Cyber Security in K-12 Schools in White House Remarks Thank you to our First Lady, Dr. Biden, for that introduction and her leadership.I’m glad to be here to discuss a very important topic: cyber security in our  schools.When  we were at the height of the pandemic, it wasn’t board games that got my kids  through it. It wasn’t books, or sports.  For  my son, it was his Xbox – playing Madden with his cousins. For my daughter, it was an app called Houseparty, where she could see her friends.I  mention this, first, because it shows how technology can benefit our young people.
- Secretary Cardona Touts Pathways for Students to Well-Paying Careers at SMART Union Leadership Conference U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona highlighted the Biden-Harris administration's efforts to reimagine pathways to college and career in a speech at the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, rail, and Transportation (SMART) Workers' 2023 leadership conference. His remarks, as prepared for delivery, are available below.
- Secretary Cardona Delivers Keynote on Reimagining College Admissions at Summit on Equal Opportunity in Higher Education Thank you, Merhawi, for the introduction and for the passion you have for your fellow students. You embody the American dream.And thank you to Neera Tanden for championing President Biden's commitment to equal opportunity in education. Glad you are where you are—our education system is better because of it.  And I'm thrilled you'll be hearing from President Biden's Senior advisor, Mayor Stephen Benjamin later today.
- Secretary Cardona Defends Public Education in Speech to American Federation of Teachers How we doing AFT?! We good? Full of energy? I am really thrilled to be here. In preparation, I told my wife, hey I am going to be speaking at the AFT Teach conference in DC and she said, you better. She's a paying AFT member herself. Shout out to Marissa.It's great to have so many outstanding educators in DC. To be honest, we could use a few more teachers to address some of the misbehavior in this town. I know it's hotter than hot out there. But it's nothing compared to the heat you've been taking these days.
- Secretary Cardona Delivers Remarks to the National Education Association On July 3, 2023, U.S.  Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona delivered remarks focused on fighting  “toxic disrespect” against teachers and public schools, including through the  “ABCs of teaching” and a call to “stop teaching to the test,”at the National  Education Association Representative Assembly.Thank you, Becky, for that  kind introduction — and for all you do as a fierce champion for our nation's  educators.
- Secretary Cardona Delivers Remarks at the National Safer Communities Summit Thank you, Angela. Moms Demand Action is a force to be reckoned with.I also want to thank Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal and Everytown for Gun Safety for organizing this first-ever National Safer Communities Summit.The conversations taking place here today are so important – that's why at this very moment the President of the United States is on his way to Connecticut.You know, a decade ago, I was proudly serving as principal of Hanover Elementary School in Meriden CT, just about half hour away from the senseless tragedy at Sandy Hook.
- Secretary Cardona Delivers Remarks On The Importance of Mustering Will in Education at Teachers College, Columbia University Good evening, Teachers College, Columbia University!What an honor to receive the Medal for Distinguished Service.  I  accept this on behalf of Avelino and Maria Cardona, and Germana Muniz, my  grandparents who took a leap of faith and traded paradise for the projects, so their children and grandchildren can have a better life.  This award is theirs.  I’m  thrilled to join you here to celebrate this incredible group of graduates.  Congratulations to the class of 2023! Give yourselves a hand.Anyone here part of the Organization and Leadership program?
- Statement by Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on the U.S. Department of Education Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request Good morning, Chairwoman Foxx, Ranking Member Scott, and distinguished members of the Committee.I am pleased to join you today to testify on behalf of President Biden's fiscal year 2024 Budget Request for the Department of Education.  I often say that investing in our children is as important as investing in defense.  It protects our future.  It strengthens our society.  It reinforces the prosperity of our economy and the power of our example around the world.
- Secretary Cardona Delivers Commencement Address to University of Central Florida Class of 2023 On May 5, 2023, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona delivered a commencement address to the graduates of the College of Business Administration and the College of Undergraduate Studies at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando, Florida. His remarks, as delivered, are available below: Good morning, University of Central Florida! How are we feeling? Buenas Dias!
- Secretary Cardona Touts Power of Data to Lift Graduation Rates During May 2023 Raise the Bar: College Excellence and Equity Summit On May 1, 2023, U.S. Secretary Miguel Cardona delivered live virtual remarks during the Department of Education's second-ever Raise the Bar: College Excellence and Equity Summit, featuring higher education leaders from across America whose institutions are using data-driven strategies to better serve students, reduce equity gaps, and lift graduation rates. The Secretary's remarks as delivered are available below:
- Opening Remarks by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona at the 2023 International Summit on the Teaching Profession Welcome to the 2023 International Summit on the Teaching Profession.  I am honored to host on behalf of the United States, together with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and Education International. And it's wonderful to be joined by excellent partners in the U.S. delegation: Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers; Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association; and Carissa Moffat Miller, CEO of the Council of Chief State School Officers. 
- Statement by Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on the U.S. Department of Education Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request Good  morning, Chairman Aderholt, Ranking Member DeLauro, and distinguished members  of the Committee.I  am pleased to join you today to testify on behalf of President Biden’s fiscal  year 2024 Budget Request for the Department of Education.My  time in front of you today is about choices.  The  choice to invest in America’s children, or the choice to protect the status quo  of underachievement.
- Remarks by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona at the Summit for Democracy in Zambia (As Prepared for Delivery) Your Excellency, President Hakainde Hichilema, Minister of Foreign Affairs Stanley Kakubo, Minister of Justice Mulambo Haimbe, Heads of Delegations from across the continent, distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen, all protocols observed ...It’s an honor to represent the  United States here at the Africa-regional event of the second Summit for  Democracy.  My heartfelt thanks to the  government of the Republic of Zambia for graciously hosting us here today – and  warmly welcoming me to this beautiful and diverse country.
- Remarks on College Rankings and Data by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona at the Conference on Best Practices for Law School Data Good morning. Great to be here with you. Thank you for joining and to those who are streaming. I want to thank Dean Gerken and Dean Manning for their agenda-setting leadership.Since this conference is about data, I want to start with a number: 163.Does anyone know the significance of 163?Before you start Googling, I'll tell you ...163 is the number of years that have passed between the founding of Yale Law School and when U.S. News and World Report first started ranking law schools. For Harvard, it's 170.Imagine that.
- Remarks by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona at the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) 52nd Annual International Bilingual and Bicultural Education Conference Thank  you for that kind introduction, Evelyn.  And  thanks to you, Nilda, and the leadership team here at NABE for all the  incredible work you do to lift up our bilingual educators.  ¡Mi nombre es Miguel Cardona y soy TÚ Secretario de  Educación!What  an honor it is to be here as a bilingual Secretary of Education . . . speaking  to thousands of multilingual and bilingual educators.  I came to this conference last year – and  I’ve been looking forward to this all year.   I feel like I’m coming home.
- Remarks by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on Raise the Bar: Lead the World Thank  you to everyone, here and on the livestream, for joining us today for an  important conversation on what it will take to Raise the Bar in education – and  Lead the World – in three key areas: academic excellence, boldly improving  learning conditions, and preparing our students for a world of global  competitiveness.Achieving  those priorities is part of a broader journey we can take to transform our  education system for the better. 
- Secretary Cardona's Remarks on Career Pathways and Success Good afternoon. Isn't it great to hear the First Lady of the United States? Thank you, Dr. Biden, and thank you to Aon, and Greg Case, for welcoming us here today. During Dr. Biden's remarks, you heard what we in Washington hear from her and President Biden all the time: an unwavering belief in the importance of education . . . and a deep, personal commitment to supporting our young people and our working families. She walks the walk.... She teaches tomorrow and she sees firsthand the needs of her students and our country.
- Remarks by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona at Raising the Bar: Literacy and Math Series to Address Academic Recovery Good  afternoon. Welcome to your Department of Education. From day one, it was my  expectation that we become a service agency.  Today,  and the series of summits we will hold in the future, are intended to ensure  that we support your efforts to improve education across the country.  We come together today for one reason: to raise  the bar for our children’s academic recovery.