Senate Committee Holds Confirmation Hearing for Secretary of Education Nominee Dr. Cardona
On Wednesday, the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a confirmation hearing for Dr. Miguel Cardona, President Biden’s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Education. The hearing was the first order of business for Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA) and Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-NC), who were officially named to lead the Committee that morning. Murray and Burr set a positive tone for the hearing, and Members largely kept their line of questioning positive and on-topic.
Dr. Cardona’s opening statement focused on the importance of family, equity, school culture and climate, and breaking down silos to maximize impacts on students. Demonstrating his strong commitment to the profession, he pledged to ensure that educators are recognized for their great contribution to this country. Among the issues that received the most attention during the hearing was the safe reopening of school buildings, how to provide social/emotional and mental health supports to students who have faced increased trauma and hardship this year, how to address learning loss, and whether/how to conduct high-stakes testing this spring. Dr. Cardona’s responses drew from his experience in the classroom, in school and district leadership, and as the Connecticut Commissioner of Education.
Multiple Members asked questions about students with disabilities. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) asked about the significant barriers to postsecondary education faced by students with disabilities. Cardona, remarked that to foster success for students with disabilities, schools must begin by looking at students not only as students with disabilities but also “students with great assets.” In another question, posed by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Cardona was asked how fully funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act would impact education. It would be a “game changer,” he replied.
The HELP Committee will reconvene next week to vote on the nomination. With strong support from both Murray and Burr, Dr. Cardona’s nomination is expected to be approved by a large margin. Once the Committee approves his nomination, it will go before the full Senate for a final vote.