On Jan. 27, 2022, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona delivered a speech outlining his priorities and vision for American education. Throughout his remarks, Cardona spoke about using the current moment as an opportunity to improve the American education system and address inequities from pre-K to adult education. He argued for the need to “level up” the entire education system, and called upon everyone to work toward making education the “great equalizer” so that opportunity and achievement gaps can be closed.
The Department of Education makes clear that its overriding guidance to school districts is to use American Rescue Plan funds to make educational systems better for students, educators, staff, schools and their communities post-pandemic.
