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In Case You Missed It: What’s Been Going On with Betsy DeVos?
Betsy DeVos has been the center of much debate since her nomination as Secretary of Education. A wealthy Republican donor and ardent school choice advocate, she lacks traditional teaching or public school experience and has a brother who founded the controversial private security firm Blackwater. Her confirmation hearings turned her into a national punchline, especially after she suggested that guns could be necessary to protect schoolchildren from grizzly bears.
DeVos has described education reform as “a way to advance God’s kingdom” and likened choosing a school to picking between ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft. She referred to historically black colleges and universities as “true pioneers” of school choice, ignoring the historical context of their creation during racial segregation. However, these statements have largely remained rhetorical—until now.
We are starting to see how DeVos’s policies will shape our educational landscape, and the outlook is concerning. She seems intent on making it more difficult for Americans to repay student loans. DeVos has rolled back protections put in place during the Obama administration that aimed to shield borrowers from predatory student loan companies. Just last month, she eliminated an Obama-era rule preventing lenders from charging collection fees to those trying to escape default.
The Obama administration also sought to simplify the student loan repayment process, which currently resembles a confusing maze where borrowers have to juggle multiple lenders. DeVos has scrapped those plans, making it harder for students to navigate their education debt.
Her proposed budget cuts don’t promise relief either. The “America First” budget proposes a 13% reduction in education spending, amounting to around $9 billion. Among the casualties are summer and after-school programs for at-risk children, including the nationally recognized 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which serves 1.6 million kids. Programs initiated by Obama aimed at enhancing school integration and aiding first-generation college students are also on the chopping block. Meanwhile, about $1.4 billion will be redirected toward voucher and school choice programs.
Critics have called DeVos’s budget priorities an “assault on the American Dream,” particularly affecting low-income students and children of color. To add to the drama, DeVos requires security from U.S. marshals, costing taxpayers around $1 million monthly—a rarity for someone in her position.
On the civil rights front, her new pick to lead the Office of Civil Rights, Candice Jackson, raises eyebrows. Jackson, who has a history of opposing affirmative action, is known for her controversial statements about women’s rights and has resisted acknowledging the importance of Title IX, especially concerning sexual assault on college campuses. Former Vice President Joe Biden has voiced concerns about DeVos’s reluctance to enforce Title IX, emphasizing its significance in preventing college dropouts due to sexual assault.
With the chaos of the Trump administration often dominating headlines, it’s easy to overlook the substantial shifts DeVos has already proposed for our educational system. Her vision for schools and universities might not align with the best interests of our most vulnerable populations.
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Summary
Betsy DeVos has stirred controversy since her appointment as Secretary of Education, with her policies indicating a move toward making student loan repayment more difficult and cutting critical education programs. Her budget proposals seem to disproportionately affect low-income students, while her choices for civil rights leadership raise concerns about the enforcement of Title IX. As the educational landscape shifts under her leadership, it’s essential to pay attention to the implications for vulnerable populations.