U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona is launching the “Back to School Bus Tour 2023: Raise the Bar”

The tour will last from September 5 to 8. The week-long tour will travel through several states including Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. It aims to showcase initiatives and strategies that schools, communities, and families are employing to enhance student learning and elevate the quality of education. Secretary Cardona will be joined by other officials including U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, FCC Chairperson Jessica Rosenworcel, Deputy Secretary Cindy Marten, Under Secretary James Kvaal, as well as local students, families, and educators.

Throughout the tour, Secretary Cardona will address key education-related issues, such as teacher diversity, higher education access, online connectivity, and family engagement. The tour will also focus on how pandemic relief funds are being utilized to strengthen core instruction, provide comprehensive educational opportunities, and offer mental health support. Additionally, the tour will highlight the impact of high school career pathway programs on student success and emphasize the use of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to aid academic recovery and mental health support for students.