President Trump has been a controversial and polarizing figure from the beginning of his campaign and now that he has taken office, there’s doesn’t seem to be an end to his daily headlines. Trump’s cabinet and transition team has been filled with divisive figures that have sparked debates amongst supporters and opponents alike, but perhaps no figure has been as polarizing as Trump’s pick for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos. Even though we collegiettes have entered college and don’t plan on returning to the public school system any time soon, DeVos’ plans for the school system in America could potentially impact us in huge ways. College students need to be aware of Betsy DeVos and her future plans for America’s education system.
DeVos thinks it’s “premature” to commit to addressing campus rape. In 2011, the Obama administration dictated new policies concerning how campuses should address sexual violence in a letter that came to be known as the “Dear Colleague” letter and a part of Title IX. This letter basically told campuses that if they are made aware of a sexual harassment case, then they are supposed to immediately do what they can to eliminate any hostile threat. When asked in her confirmation hearing with Senator Tim Kaine, DeVos admitted that she could not commit to upholding the current values of protecting victims of sexual assault.
Betsy DeVos has donated $10,000 to an organization that is currently trying to make it even more difficult for those charged with rape to be found guilty. A foundation founded by DeVos and her husband Dick has made large monetary donations to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), a group attempting to combat legislature and require even more evidence to convict someone of sexual assault.
DeVos and her children have never attended public school. She has never taught at public school, has never been a parent to a child in public school and has never held public office. If confirmed, she will be the first person to hold this position to have zero experience in public education at all. Her interactions with public education have been limited to advocating for school choice. DeVos has described charter schools as a “very valid choice” but has donated over $8 million to private religious schools and sees education as a tool to “expand God’s kingdom”.
During her confirmation hearing, DeVos exemplified her lack of knowledge and experience. Senator Tim Kaine asked her opinion on whether or not all schools that receive funding from the federal government – public, private or charter – should be obligated to meet the mandates of the federal Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This act says that schools receiving money from taxpayer dollars should provide an “appropriate” education to students with disabilities. DeVos originally replied that that decision was best left up to state governments, not knowing that it is a federal law. When this was pointed out to her, DeVos later said, “I may have confused it” – showing that she is unaware of federal education laws.