In a speech to the National Assembly for Family Engagement in Education, Secretary Cardona highlighted the importance of authentic parent-family engagement in education, called out the use of “parents’ rights” rhetoric by some to divide school communities, and emphasized that the future of public education is at stake in a way it never has been before.
Good morning, everyone!
Thank you to Vito and the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement for the invitation.
And thank you to Cecily Darden -- not only for that kind introduction, but for your incredible leadership at the Department of Education.
I can tell you: she is a relentless champion for authentic family engagement, and she works tirelessly to make sure I’m hearing from parents and families across our nation.
I am excited to address this audience for the inaugural NAFSCE National Assembly that is bringing together leaders from all across the family engagement field – professionals, advocates, educators, and funders.
I could not believe more strongly in the importance of partnering with parents and families in education.
I got one of my earliest lessons on how much that matters when I was a young teacher.
I was sitting in a meeting between the school’s principal at the time and the mother of a first-grade student.
The discussion got heated. And let me tell you: this mom wasn’t mincing words at all about where she disagreed with the principal about her daughter’s schooling.
Well, after the meeting ended, she said something I’ll never forget. She said, “you know, Miguel, it’s nothing personal – I’m just a mama bear trying to protect her cub.”
We knew at the time that this student had a very serious medical condition. And sadly, she passed away soon after.
But her mom and I ended up staying in touch for over twenty years.
A mama bear protecting her cub.
I’m sure that resonates with so many of you who are parents.
It’s something I came to appreciate even more when I became a papa bear to my own cubs – “Papi” to my Celine and Angelito.
And as a parent, I want to see that my kids’ educators value them as much as I do – that they see the potential I see and focus on their assets rather than their perceived deficits.
And I want to know that they see me as the ultimate expert on my kids and a true partner in their education.
And I don’t have to tell this crowd that there is a mountain of evidence that shows how important that sort of authentic family partnership is.
Often, family engagement is the key lever that gets students to come to school, keeps them engaged, and meets their needs while improving their academic achievement.
Now, you’d think this is common sense.
But too often, we see schools and districts talking over or at families, rather than engaging with them.
We see family engagement programs being the first things on the cutting block in tough budget climates, because they’re seen as convenient, not a necessity.
That’s unacceptable.
So I’m thankful to NAFSCE and all of you for fighting for authentic, effective engagement between families, schools, and communities.
And we’ve got your back as you do so – from over $11 million in grants specifically to strengthen family engagement programs, to a fivefold increase in our Full-Service Community Schools program to develop schools as the hub of their communities.
Unfortunately, we also have to recognize that, right now, some in our nation do not see family engagement this way.
For them, terms like “parents’ rights” or “pro-parent policies” represent little more than a thin veil for attacks on public education and efforts to divide school communities.
But make no mistake: most parents want nothing to do with culture wars in schools.
There’s nothing “pro-parent” about undermining the freedom to learn.
There’s nothing “pro-parent” about banning books.
And let’s be very clear about this: “parents’ rights” do not include a right to exclude certain students or encourage hateful rhetoric toward young people because of who they are.
I’m going to be very frank with you: public education itself is at stake right now in a way it has never been before.
We can’t let those who seek to destroy it hide behind the language of parents’ rights.
So to all the mama bears and papa bears out there: thank you for your advocacy and your leadership. It’s never been more important.
Together, we can raise the bar for family partnership.
And together, we can, and we will, defend public education against those who would destroy it.
Thank you for all you do – and enjoy the rest of this assembly.