Since her appointment as Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos has been a polarizing figure. A wealthy Republican donor and staunch advocate for school choice, she lacks experience in teaching or public schools. Her family connections include a brother who founded the contentious private security firm Blackwater. DeVos became the subject of ridicule during her confirmation hearings, not only due to her lackluster performance but also for her bizarre suggestion that firearms could be used to protect students from grizzly bears.
DeVos has described education reform as “a way to advance God’s kingdom” and likened choosing a school to selecting between ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. She has referred to historically Black colleges and universities as “real pioneers when it comes to school choice,” despite these institutions being established during a time of racial segregation when Black students were barred from attending predominantly white colleges.
However, her statements are now taking shape into actual policies that raise concerns. For instance, DeVos has made it more challenging for Americans to manage their student loan debt. She has rolled back protections introduced during the Obama administration designed to assist borrowers by steering them away from predatory loan practices. Recently, she reversed a policy that prevented lenders from imposing collection fees on borrowers trying to escape default. Additionally, plans for a centralized student loan repayment system have been abandoned, leaving borrowers to navigate a confusing landscape.
Her proposed budget cuts for education are also alarming. The “America First” budget suggests a 13% reduction in education spending, equating to about $9 billion in cuts. Among the programs facing elimination are those that provide summer and after-school support for at-risk children, including the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which assist over 1.6 million kids nationwide. Programs aimed at enhancing diversity and opportunity for low-performing schools and first-generation college students will also see significant reductions, while $1.4 billion will be redirected toward voucher and school choice initiatives.
DeVos’s unusual security detail, which costs taxpayers around $1 million monthly, raises eyebrows, as the last cabinet member to receive such protection was in 2009. It’s worth noting that there’s been no precedent for a Secretary of Education having federal marshals for security.
On the civil rights front, DeVos appointed Candice Jackson to lead the Office of Civil Rights. Jackson has expressed views against affirmative action and has questioned the legitimacy of women who accused Trump of sexual misconduct. Her stance against feminism, which she believes impedes women’s progress, is concerning. Most troubling is DeVos’s reluctance to commit to enforcing Title IX, especially regarding sexual assault on college campuses. Former Vice President Joe Biden has criticized this lack of commitment, emphasizing the serious implications for college women who face such issues.
In light of the constant upheaval in the Trump administration, it’s easy to overlook the significant changes DeVos is proposing for the education system. Her vision for schools and universities does not seem to prioritize the needs of our society’s most vulnerable populations.
For those interested in exploring more about family planning and self-insemination methods, check out this resource on intracervical insemination, which offers helpful insights. Additionally, you can find authoritative information on home insemination at Make a Mom. If you’re preparing for procedures like IUI, Parents.com is an excellent resource for what to expect.
Summary
Betsy DeVos’s tenure as Secretary of Education is marked by controversial policies that may negatively impact students, especially those from low-income backgrounds. Her proposed cuts to essential programs and the reversal of protections for student loan borrowers suggest a shift away from support for vulnerable populations.