At a Senate hearing on Feb. 3, Miguel Cardona, President Joe Biden’s nominee for education secretary, pledged to reopen schools with new science-based guidance, expand testing and prioritize coronavirus vaccines for teachers.

“We have great examples throughout our country of schools that have been able to reopen safely,” Cardona told the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

His remarks echoed previous statements from the Biden administration advocating a nationwide school reopening, with protections for teachers and students.

A critical piece of the administration’s plan is the $130 billion earmarked for schools in the COVID-19 relief proposal that is before Congress. If approved, these funds could be used to hire more teachers and pay for necessary safety measures, including upgraded ventilation systems and protective equipment.

- Associated Press, Feb. 4