Education Secretary Miguel Cardona says he does not support lowering qualification standards to address national teacher shortage

• Education Secretary Miguel Cardon on Sunday said he does not support lowering the qualifications of teachers.
• Cardona said he is in favor of using the American Rescue plan dollars to give student teachers a salary.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on Sunday that he does not support lowering qualification standards for teachers to address the shortage in the nation's schools.

"I do not support lowering any standards for qualifications with teachers, I think we need to be creative in how we get the teachers in," Cardona told CBS's "Face the Nation."

Cardona said there are other ways to bring in new, qualified teachers that do not involve lowering the standards, citing the financial aspect of becoming a teacher.

"Student teaching is four months of teaching without pay, I think we should use the American Rescue plan dollars to get student teachers and give them a salary, "Cardona said. "Many people are leaving the profession, or the training program for the profession because they cannot afford four months of teaching without a salary."

Cardona said the teacher shortage issue goes beyond just finance, adding that the shortage is a "symptom" of a lack of respect by some of the profession.

"It's definitely not just about salary," Cardona told Brennan. "We need to make sure we're supporting our educators, giving the working conditions where they feel connected to the community and feel supported in the work they are doing."