Miguel Cardona, the United States Secretary for Education, was heavily criticized when he said that teachers, and not parents, knew what was best for “their” kids.
“Teachers know what’s best for their students because they spend time with them every day.” “We must trust teachers,” Sec. Cardona tweeted Friday.
Teachers know what is best for their kids because they are with them every day.
We must trust teachers.— Secretary Miguel Cardona (@SecCardona) May 19, 2023
The reactions to the statement ranged anywhere from anger and disappointment, all the way up to mockery. Parents, politicians, presidential hopefuls, his predecessor, and others all criticized the statement.
Parents know best what’s best for their children because they are raising them every day. Parents are the best people to trust. “I fixed it for you @SecCardona”, wrote Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley. She was formerly South Carolina’s governor.
Parents know what is best for their kids because they raise them every day. We must trust parents.
Fixed it for you, @SecCardona. https://t.co/bGEIzfQxEY
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) May 19, 2023
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., who filed papers earlier this week for a presidential bid, questioned the comment, asking “Whose children?”
Whose kids? https://t.co/b1QEbD7pwD
— Tim Scott (@votetimscott) May 19, 2023
Betsy DeVos wrote, “I’ll repeat it: you misspelled parent,” during the Trump administration.
I’ll say it again: You misspelled parents. https://t.co/w43sqz2qim
— Betsy DeVos (@BetsyDeVos) May 19, 2023
“No, Mr. Secretary. Parents know best what is best for their children.” “We must trust parents”, wrote Senator Pete Ricketts, (R-Neb.).
No, Mr. Secretary. Parents know what’s best for their kids.
We must trust parents! https://t.co/bLIUK0dbVS— Senator Pete Ricketts (@SenatorRicketts) May 20, 2023
I’m always with my children, day and night, weekends included. Since conception, I’ve been raising my son. Since my daughter’s adoption, I have been raising her. We both know what’s best for OUR children. “We can’t blindly believe teachers just because they are educators,” said Michele Tafoya of the former American sports broadcaster, adding a #parents tag.
I’m with my kids every day, every night, every weekend. I have been raising my son since conception. I’ve been raising my daughter since adoption. My husband and I know what is best for OUR kids. We can’t blindly trust teachers simply because they are teachers. #PARENTS https://t.co/KHfTComdxH
— Michele Tafoya (@Michele_Tafoya) May 20, 2023
“Their kids.” Brit Hume, a political analyst, wrote: “Good lord.”
CatholicVote’s response was “no” when asked.
Some of the responses were very blunt and used salty language.
Sec. Cardona’s statement comes on the heels of a contentious Congressional hearing earlier this week addressing how and whether Title IX applies to transgender-identifying students.
ABC News reported that GOP lawmakers at this hearing stressed the importance of Title IX in ensuring fairness to women and girls participating in sports.
Burgess Owens, a former football professional, asked Burgess Owens, a former NFL player, “Would it be fair to me at any time in this process – from high school until I’m 30 years old – that I could wrestle or box with your child, competing against your daughter?”
Cardona responded, “It is my responsibility and privilege to ensure that all students can access the Internet.” Cardona replied.
The hearing also covered other topics, including the controversial memo from Attorney General Merrick G. Garland in 2021 about threats against school board members, COVID closures, and critical race theories in schools.
