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DeVos Nominated Secretary of Education
posted by: Alana | November 28, 2016, 06:38 PM   

 

Last week, President Elect Donald Trump had a big announcement to deliver about his education agenda. Four days after meeting with the President Elect, Betsy DeVos, 58, has been nominated to serve as the next U.S. Secretary of Education. Who is Betsy DeVos you might ask? A high-profile advocate for school choice, Ms. DeVos is chair of the American Federation for Children, a Washington, D.C.-based organization devoted to expanding school of choice options across the country. She also sits on the board of the Foundation for Excellence in Education.

 

"Betsy DeVos is a brilliant and passionate education advocate," Trump said in a statement. "Under her leadership we will reform the US education system and break the bureaucracy that is holding our children back so that we can deliver world-class education and school choice to all families."

 

Teacher union officials immediately criticized the pick over her support for school choice and options for students, teachers, and communities. Others were quick to point out her association with organizations that have promoted the Common Core National Standards, an initiative that she’s recently promised she’s against.

 

Reform advocates weighed in and praised the DeVos nomination vowing to work with the new administration.

 

In a statement made by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools last Wednesday, the National Alliance "congratulates Betsy DeVos, a longtime supporter of charter schools, on her appointment as Secretary of Education. Throughout her career Mrs. DeVos has worked to empower parents and give families strong educational options, so they can do what is best for their child. We look forward to working with Mrs. DeVos, the Department of Education, and all those who work tirelessly to deliver on the promise of a high-quality education for all students.” Nina Rees, the president and CEO of NAPCS followed up on that with, "one of DeVos' primary challenges at the Education Department, assuming she is confirmed by the Senate, will be figuring out a way to translate that plan into some kind of action."

 

“I cannot think of a more effective and passionate change agent to press for a new education vision, one in which students, rather than adults and bureaucracies, become the priority in our nation’s classrooms,” said former presidential hopeful and Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

 

Here at AAE, we look forward to working with future-Secretary DeVos and the Trump administration on empowering teachers as professionals. We look forward to sharing member opinions with these new leaders in 2017.

 

What do you foresee being the biggest challenge facing the incoming appointee?

Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!


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