Over the holiday season, President-elect Joe Biden named Miguel Cardona as the next Secretary of Education. When introducing Cardona, The Biden team has stressed the need to “ensure that every student has access to a quality education, regardless of their ZIP code.” We must hold the next administration accountable to this ideal. It cannot be just another platitude or a disingenuous promise to Biden’s supporters who know the existing system is broken.

In his remarks following Biden’s introduction, Cardona stressed the need to increase education quality. He highlighted how he, as Education Commissioner in Connecticut, fought to put the needs of all students first. Cardona must bring that commitment to Washington, D.C., as well.