Saphron Co-Founder meets with Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona

Saphron Initiative Co-Founder Zakareya Hamed speaks with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, July 09, 2024. (Photo by Dept. of Education Press Office)

On the morning of July 9, Saphron Initiative Co-Founder Zakareya Hamed met with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in his Washington, D.C. office.

During the meeting, which was largely facilitated by the Department of Education’s Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, Hamed discussed the need for more anti-discrimination guidance from the Department, along with student civil rights and free speech protections.

Hamed also pressed the Secretary on a disparaging remark made in the past about students expressing their first amendment rights.

However, Secretary Cardona has played a major role in defending public education during his time in office, implementing new charter school program regulations and revising the Department’s guidance documents. Before him, former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos infamously spent her time in office to advance the privatization of American public schools.

With elections due in November, Cardona and appointees at the Department of Education are trying to proof the Department from any detrimental education policies that could come from any potential change in administrations. This comes in wake of Donald Trump’s vow to introduce an array of erratic education policy changes in his Agenda47, including adding school principals elected by parents and patriotism checks for school staff. He has also promised to effectively remove federal education oversight by shutting down the Department of Education.

As the elections draw near, Saphron Initiative will continue to put student voices on the forefront of the education advocacy sector with the mission of cultivating a stronger, higher-quality public education system.