Speeches 
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October 24, 2022
Good afternoon; and thank you.
As your Secretary of Education, I want to be very clear: the results in today’s Nation’s Report Card are appalling and unacceptable—they are a reminder of the impact this pandemic had on our learners, and the important work we must do now for our students.
This is a moment of truth for education. How we respond to this will determine not only our recovery, but our nation’s standing in the world.
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September 20, 2022
Thank you!
First of all: that marching band looks awesome.
It's a joy to be here in Tennessee. You're known as the "Volunteer State" for a reason. Tennesseans stepped up to help – you helped our country, you volunteered. And that's what Tennesseans are all about.
I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have Dr. Biden with us.
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September 13, 2022
Thank you, Chancellor Martin.
And thank you to our First Lady, Dr. Biden. As an educator, let me tell you: it makes a difference to know we have an educator in the White House. Thank you for all you're doing to elevate teaching and support teachers of color.
Now, first things first: can I get an AGGIE PRIDE??
Look: there's a reason why I was so excited to come to NC A&T as the first stop on our Road to Success bus tour.
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September 13, 2022
Thank you: Principal Smith, Superintendent Kamras, President Thomason, Dr. Harris-Muhammad, distinguished guests.
And special appreciation to Emanuel Wright-Anthony, who is doing an amazing job as emcee. And thanks to the entire Oak Grove-Bellemeade community for your warm welcome.
We're here today because you're doing something right.
You are choosing to support each other. You are choosing to help each other.
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August 11, 2022
Good afternoon, everyone! To all the college presidents and leaders here today: thank you for coming. It's even worse when you lose your luggage or have cancellations, which I know many of you did.
Traveling to Washington in the final weeks of summer is a big ask. Some of you even canceled vacations to be here. If you need an apology note for your spouse, let me know.
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June 23, 2022
Good morning.
Throughout American history, landmark laws have brought waves of change that carried our country toward a more perfect union.
Before the Fair Labor Standards Act, many children didn't spend their days learning in schools, but working in factories.
Before the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Black Americans had no federal statutory protection from the racial discrimination of the Jim Crow era.
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June 7, 2022
Chair Murray, Ranking Member Blunt, Distinguished Subcommittee.
Good morning and thank you.
While I will focus on the budget and priorities of the Department of Education, I must start by sharing that, together, we must meet this moment.
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May 4, 2022
Good morning, Chairwoman DeLauro and Ranking Member Cole.
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January 27, 2022
I remember being five-years-old, walking into my first day of kindergarten at John Barry School in Connecticut, nervous. At that time, I was learning English. I felt like I didn't belong. It turned out to be a horrible day. My mom had to pick me up early from the nurse's office. I'm not sure if it was the feeling of being overwhelmed, being around bigger kids who spoke English a lot better than me, or maybe a feeling that the challenge ahead of me was too great.
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October 21, 2021
The past three days have been an engaging experience as I’ve listened and learned alongside all of you. From Canada, America’s close neighbor to the north, to our Asian colleagues in Singapore and China, to our many friends in Europe, it’s been a privilege to sit at this virtual table with all of you and our international cohosts at Education International and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.