Since her appointment as Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos has continued to stir controversy. A wealthy Republican benefactor and proponent of school choice, she lacks direct experience in teaching or public schools. Notably, her brother founded the private security firm Blackwater, which has faced significant scrutiny. During her confirmation hearings, DeVos became a target of mockery for her awkward responses, notably suggesting that firearms could be utilized to protect students from bears.
DeVos has framed education reform as a means to “advance God’s kingdom” and stated that selecting a school should be akin to choosing between ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. Additionally, she referred to historically black colleges and universities as “real pioneers in school choice,” despite their origins during a time of severe racial segregation when students of color were barred from attending predominantly white institutions. However, these statements have not translated into meaningful actions, leaving many unsure of her true intentions as Education Secretary.
Recent Developments
Recent developments are shedding light on DeVos’s governing style and policies, and the outlook is concerning. For instance, she has made it increasingly challenging for Americans to manage their student loan debts by rolling back protections implemented during the Obama administration. This includes a reversal of measures designed to shield borrowers from predatory loan companies. DeVos has also abandoned plans to create a streamlined system for student loan repayment, forcing borrowers to navigate a confusing array of lenders on their own.
Her proposed budget cuts are expected to disproportionately affect low-income students. The “America First” budget seeks to reduce education funding by 13%, amounting to approximately $9 billion. Among the programs facing elimination are vital after-school initiatives like the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which support millions of children nationwide. Furthermore, significant funding will be cut from programs aimed at assisting first-generation college students and teacher training initiatives. In contrast, DeVos plans to allocate around $1.4 billion to expand voucher and school choice programs.
Critics, including former education secretary under Obama, have condemned these budget priorities as “an assault on the American Dream” that will harm the most vulnerable populations. Adding to the controversy, DeVos’s security detail, costing taxpayers nearly $1 million each month, raises eyebrows—especially given that no previous education secretary has required such protection.
Concerns Over Civil Rights
The appointment of Candice Jackson to lead the Office of Civil Rights also raises alarms. Jackson, known for her opposition to affirmative action, has challenged the very mission of the office, which investigates discrimination claims. She has publicly dismissed the experiences of women accusing Trump of misconduct as “fake victims” while criticizing college initiatives aimed at promoting women’s rights.
Most troubling is DeVos’s reluctance to commit to enforcing Title IX, which governs responses to sexual assault on college campuses. This hesitation has elicited strong criticism from figures like former Vice President Joe Biden, who warned that such non-enforcement sends a damaging message about the normalcy of sexual assault in educational institutions.
Conclusion
With the ongoing turbulence of the Trump administration making headlines, it can be easy to overlook the significant changes DeVos is proposing for the educational landscape. Her vision for American schools raises serious concerns for the future, particularly for the nation’s most vulnerable students.
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Summary
Betsy DeVos’s tenure as Secretary of Education has been marked by controversial decisions that threaten student rights, particularly around loan repayment and budget cuts. Her appointment of Candice Jackson to oversee civil rights raises further concerns, especially regarding the enforcement of Title IX. Overall, her policies appear to disregard the needs of marginalized students, highlighting a troubling direction for American education.