Updated: A previous version of this article had the title Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Education: Background and Achievements
Biographical Information: Cardona was born in Meriden, Conn. After earning a degree in bilingual bicultural education from Central Connecticut State University, he began his education career in 1998, working as a 4th-grade teacher at Israel Putnam Elementary School in Meriden. In 2003, Cardona took the helm of Hanover Elementary School, becoming Connecticut’s youngest principal at age 28. Less than ten years later, in 2012, he was awarded the National Distinguished Principal Award for Connecticut. That same year he earned his doctorate from the University of Connecticut. He became a district administrator in 2013, working as the Meriden district’s performance and evaluation specialist. In 2019, Cardona became Connecticut’s state superintendent. In that role, he pushed for reopening schools during the pandemic.
Served Under: President Joe Biden
Dates of Tenure: 2021-2025
Fun Fact: Cardona sometimes played the bongo drums at events with his father and brother’s band.
Highlights of Tenure:
- Oversaw the distribution of much of the largest-ever, one-time infusion of federal funds to public schools—the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. ESSER consisted of $190 billion sent in three rounds to help schools reopen from COVID-19 closures and aid students’ academic recovery from a pandemic-era dip in achievement.
- Oversaw the revision of regulations under Title IX, the nation’s landmark law barring sex discrimination in federally funded education programs. The new regulations explicitly prohibited discrimination against students based on sexuality or gender identity. However, 26 states sued to stop the rule and secured injunctions pausing its enforcement in those states and at individual schools and colleges in states that didn’t challenge the new regulation. A federal judge struck down the new regulation on Jan. 9, 2025.
- Oversaw the launch of a streamlined Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. However, the new form’s launch was delayed and riddled with glitches. High school seniors from lower-income families were the most likely to abandon financial aid applications as the result of a delayed and continuously botched rollout, a review by the Government Accountability Office found.
- The Education Department, under Cardona, was charged with carrying out many of the Biden administration’s attempts to cancel or reduce student loan debt, which were repeatedly thwarted by courts in response to lawsuits from Republican-led states.
Archives of Note:
Biden Picks Connecticut Schools Chief Miguel Cardona for Education Secretary
Cardona became head of the Connecticut Department of Education in 2019. He’s also been a teacher, principal, and district administrator. (Dec. 22, 2020)
Where Biden’s Choice for Education Secretary Stands on Key K-12 Issues
Connecticut Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona, Biden’s pick for education secretary, has taken positions on an array of K-12 issues. (Dec. 22, 2020)
Biden’s Pick for Ed. Secretary: U.S. Must Help Schools ‘Forge Opportunity Out of Crisis’
President-elect Joe Biden introduced Connecticut schools chief Miguel Cardona as his choice for U.S. secretary of education Wednesday. (Dec. 23, 2020)
5 Things To Know About Dr. Miguel Cardona: Biden’s Choice for Ed. Secretary
Watch EdWeek politics reporters Andrew Ujifusa and Evie Blad as they discuss 5 key questions about Dr. Miguel Cardona, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for Education Secretary. (Jan. 5, 2021)
Who Is Miguel Cardona? Education Secretary Pick Has Roots in Classroom, Principal’s Office
Many who’ve worked with Joe Biden’s pick for education secretary say he’s ready for what would be a giant step up. (Jan. 14, 2021)
Miguel Cardona Pressed by Lawmakers on Tests, Reopening Schools, and Transgender Students
The nominee for secretary of education stressed the value of COVID-19 relief and that schools must be “free of harassment and discrimination.” (Feb. 3, 2021)
Unpacking Cardona’s Confirmation Hearing: What We Learned
Education Week reporters Andrew Ujifusa and Evie Blad discuss key topics that arose during Miguel Cardona’s confirmation hearing, and what comes next. (Feb. 4, 2021)
Senate Confirms Miguel Cardona as Education Secretary
The former Connecticut education commissioner got his start as an elementary school teacher and was a principal and school administrator. (March 1, 2021)
EdWeek Q&A: Miguel Cardona Talks Summer Learning, Mental Health, and State Tests
In an interview after a school reopening summit, the education secretary also addressed teachers’ union concerns about CDC guidance. (March 24, 2021)
White House Launches Hispanic Education Initiative Led by Miguel Cardona
President Joe Biden said his administration intends to address the “systemic causes” of educational disparities faced by Hispanic students. (Sept. 13, 2021)
Miguel Cardona Came in as a Teacher Champion. Has COVID Muted His Message?
The education secretary is taking heat from some who say his advocacy is overshadowed by Biden’s push to keep schools open. (Jan. 20, 2022)
Miguel Cardona Tells Teachers ‘I Know You’re Tired’ in Speech Outlining Major K-12 Goals
The education secretary outlined his vision for education and specific goals for schools, but COVID has complicated his work. (Jan. 27, 2022)
Education Secretary: ‘Let’s Transform Our Appreciation of Teachers to Action’
Miguel Cardona shared strategies to help recruit, develop, and retain effective teachers.(June 9, 2022)
U.S. Education Secretary Cardona: How to Fix Teacher Shortages, Create Safe Schools
In an exclusive interview with Education Week, the secretary looks ahead to the challenges of this school year. (Aug. 23, 2022)
Teachers Need More Than Just Pay Raises, Secretary Cardona Says
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona sat down with Education Week to talk about the teaching profession, AI, and students’ mental health. (May 2, 2023)
Miguel Cardona: There’s No ‘Magic Strategy’ to Help Students Get Back on Track
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said he’s focused on supporting schools on work they’re already doing to help students achieve. (Oct. 19, 2023)
Here’s Why Miguel Cardona Is Pushing Multilingual Education
The education secretary outlines how the Education Department is investing in language learning. Will it work? (Nov. 17, 2023)
Arming Teachers Could Cause ‘Accidents and More Tragedy,’ Miguel Cardona Says
“This is not in my opinion a smart option,” the education secretary said at an EdWeek event. (May 2, 2024)
Miguel Cardona in the Hot Seat: 4 Takeaways From a Contentious House Hearing
FAFSA, rising antisemitism, and Title IX dominated questioning at a U.S. House hearing with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona. (May 7, 2024)
As Biden Leaves Office, What Will His Education Legacy Be?
Biden’s term was marked by unprecedented funding for schools, but no aggressive policy agenda. Did his administration do enough? (Jan. 15, 2025)
