Education Secretary says he doesn't 'respect' parents thinking 'they know what's right for kids'

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona took a jab at certain parents who are standing up for their children's education by stating that he does not "respect" people who are "misbehaving in public and acting as if they know what's right for kids."

Speaking about what he views as attacks on education during an interview Friday with The Associated Press, Cardona said, "I've never seen it where it is now," and that we used to be able to "have healthy conversations around what's best for kids."

Parents are increasingly expressing concerns regarding their children's education and attending school board meetings to voice their opinions, but Cardona said he does not think highly of such people.  

"I respect differences of opinion. I don't respect people who are misbehaving in public and then acting as if they know what's right for kids," he said, referring to parents who speak up at school board meetings.

"There's a team that's fighting for kids and a team that's fighting against kids," he added.

Parents Defending Education President Nicole Neily slammed Cardona's remarks.

"Actions speak louder than words — and they reveal that Secretary Cardona does not, in fact, respect differences of opinion," she told Fox News Digital. 

"Look no further than the fact that in 2022, Cardona's Education Department chose to shut down its faux ‘parents council’ stacked with rubber-stamping elites rather than add any members who would provide viewpoint diversity, and was named by a board member of the NSBA [National School Boards Association] as the instigator of its now-infamous letter," added Neily.

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