In the realm of education, Betsy DeVos has consistently been a polarizing figure since her nomination as Secretary of Education. A prominent Republican donor and advocate for school choice, her background lacks traditional teaching or public education experience, and she is related to the founder of the controversial private security firm Blackwater.
DeVos gained notoriety during her confirmation hearings, where her inadequate responses led to widespread ridicule, particularly for her comments suggesting that firearms might be necessary to protect students from bears. She has framed education reform as a means to “advance God’s kingdom” and likened selecting a school to choosing between ride-sharing options like Uber or Lyft. Furthermore, she referred to historically black colleges and universities as “real pioneers in school choice,” despite their origins during a time of significant racial segregation.
However, these statements have not translated into clear policy actions until now, as her initiatives begin to reveal a concerning trajectory for American education. One of her first moves includes making it more challenging for borrowers to manage student loan debt. DeVos has rolled back protections established under the Obama administration that aimed to assist struggling borrowers by steering them away from unreliable student loan servicers. Recently, she also eliminated a regulation that barred lenders from imposing collection fees on borrowers trying to exit default.
In addition, the proposed “America First” budget outlines a 13% reduction in education funding, amounting to nearly $9 billion. This includes a significant $1.2 billion cut to summer and after-school programs for at-risk youth, such as the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which currently support over 1.6 million children nationwide. The budget also targets the discontinuation of diversity initiatives established by the previous administration, alongside billions in cuts to programs designed to aid first-generation college students and teacher training.
While funding for voucher programs and school choice initiatives will see an increase of approximately $1.4 billion, critics, including former Education Secretary under President Obama, have labeled these budgetary choices as detrimental to the American Dream, particularly for low-income families and children of color.
On the security front, DeVos’s unique arrangement for protection by U.S. marshals incurs a monthly cost of around $1 million to taxpayers, a practice not seen for an Education Secretary since 2009.
Moreover, her appointment of Candice Jackson to lead the Office of Civil Rights raises further concerns. Jackson, who has publicly opposed affirmative action and has a history of controversial comments regarding women and discrimination, may not align with the department’s mission to combat discrimination against marginalized groups. Her hesitance to commit to enforcing Title IX regarding sexual assault on college campuses has alarmed advocates for survivors, including former Vice President Joe Biden, who emphasized the impact of such a stance on female college students.
Amid the daily tumult of the current administration, the implications of DeVos’s policies on education are becoming increasingly evident. Her approach appears to favor a vision that may not prioritize the needs of society’s most vulnerable individuals.
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In summary, Betsy DeVos’s tenure as Secretary of Education is marked by significant policy shifts that could have lasting repercussions for students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. Her budget cuts, rollbacks of borrower protections, and controversial appointments signal a departure from previous educational priorities, raising concerns about the future of equity and access in American education.
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