Could the state’s top educator go national?
Local, state officials sure hoping so
Like Ansonia Schools Superintendent Joseph DiBacco, state Commissioner of Education Miguel Cardona was born in Connecticut.
“I would love to see a Meriden native elevate to the highest education post in the United States,” DiBacco said Thursday upon learning that Cardona is on a new short list of candidates to become U.S. secretary of education in President-elect Joe Biden’s new administration.
A Washington Post report on Wednesday named Cardona, as one of two top candidates for the job being vacated by Betsy DeVos. The other name mentioned was Leslie T. Fenwick, dean emeritus of the Howard University School of Education.
It is unclear when a decision will be announced.
Cardona could not be reached for comment.
Gov. Ned Lamont’s on Thursday called Cardona extraordinary.
“I don’t want to lose him,” said Lamont in a Thursday afternoon press
briefing. Lamont said he was not contacted on the potential pick but instead reached out to someone in the Biden camp after hearing Cardona’s name surface.
“I think he has just the right background,” Lamont said. “He has been a hero for the state of Connecticut ... that is the message I left for the Biden campaign.”
Soon after Biden became president-elect, many started offering suggestions on who should become the next education secretary. There seemed unanimous agreement that it had to be a teacher, or at least someone who understood the teaching profession at either the K-12 or higher education level.
Some have floated the name of US. Rep. Jahana Hayes of Connecticut, the 2016 National Teacher of Year, for the post.
“In every conversation that I have had regarding the future U.S. Sec. of Ed., I have mentioned Congresswoman Jahana Hayes from Waterbury,” said Chandra Maxwell, a teacher at Roosevelt School in Bridgeport. “Not to take anything away from other candidates but her story truly resonates with me and it is obvious she puts the needs of students first and she understands education law and policy.”
Some say the same of the 45-year-old Cardona, who in two decades rose from classroom teacher to school administrator to the state’s “top teacher.”
“I am encouraged because he has been a teacher,” DiBacco said, and he “is passionate about serving the needs of all learners ... has served in low performing and under-served districts (and) has his own children in public education.”
Others agreed.
“The only negative I can think of is that we would lose him here in Connecticut,” said state Sen. Will Haskell, D-Westport, who is co-chair of the legislature’s higher education committee. “His dedication to the well-being of all students is clear to anyone who has had the opportunity to work with him, and it’s no surprise that he’s attracted national attention.”
State Sen. Tony Hwang, R-Fairfield, a former ranking member of the legislature’s education committee, said Cardona grew up in a housing project, just like he did, and had to learn English, just like he did.
“It is a pleasant surprise but a well deserved honor,” Hwang said. “For him it’s all about the kids.”
Hwang said Cardona’s work on national achievement gap panels, alongside Linda Darling-Hammond — who is leading the Biden’s transition team’s efforts on education issues and appointments — was probably how his name came into consideration.
Cardona became commissioner of education in 2019, promising to visit every part of the state and focus on narrowing the state’s cavernous achievement gap.
That desire fed into his steadfast insistence, along with Lamont, that schools remain open for in-person learning, as best they could, during this year’s pandemic.
That stance put him at odds with the state’s teachers’ union which does not think enough safeguards are in place to make in-person learning safe.
Teacher union leaders, who last week held a press conference on the steps of the state Capitol to demand schools close for in-person learning until several safety demands were met, could not be immediately reached Thursday to comment on the prospects of Cardona leaving the state for Washington.
Not so, others.
“I think he would be a leader of vision and courage,” said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who said were Cardona put in charge of the U.S. Department of Education, his first task would be to undo the damage done by his predecessor.
Cardona’s experience, Blumenthal said, has been hands on.
Connecticut would benefit from him knowing (the state’s) needs and how to meet them, Blumenthal said.
Andrew Feinstein, a Mystic attorney who represents special needs children and their families, sent a letter to Biden on Thursday expressing his strong endorsement for Cardona.
“Dr. Cardona understands the importance of parent involvement in education,” Feinstein wrote. “He also understands the need to end structural racism in education.”
Feinstein said there are areas of disagreement but that from his viewpoint, Cardona is the ideal candidate for an administration dedicated to putting back what the Trump administration took away.
Fran Rabinowitz, director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, said Cardona has all the qualities necessary to be a secretary of education.
“He cares deeply about children and has demonstrated his commitment to every child during his time as commissioner,” Rabinowitz said. “He has been a wonderful collaborator and during this very challenging time, he has been able to bring together all stakeholders — superintendents, administrators, educators unions, and families — to make the best decisions for all of our students, especially those with the greatest challenges.”
Bridgeport Schools Superintendent Michael Testani, who has consistently supported Cardona’s pandemic reopening plan, said he would be a great choice by the Biden administration.
“Cardona has demonstrated great leadership here in Connecticut,” Testani said. “I wish him the best of luck.”
DiBacco, meanwhile, said Cardona’s ability to speak Spanish and his willingness to listen, would serve him well in Washington.
“I also think this will show the country Connecticut’s commitment to being a leader in public education,” DiBacco said.
That said, he and others expect the Biden administration will likely go for someone with a longer career in education and a steeper background in educational policy.
But, DiBacco said in a follow up email, “I must tell you — he is FAR more qualified than the person that has been serving as the secretary of education.”