When U.S. Education Secretary DeVos was confirmed in 2017, many had questions about her qualifications and policies. However, many of her critics didn’t consider that she had been working in politics since the 1970s and had business experience needed to bring many legislators and philanthropists together to help America’s education system.
Betsy DeVos has donated over $35 million to educational causes. She has stated in multiple interviews that she believes in putting students first. Despite her beliefs, she has been criticized for student choice policies. As the name implies, students are allowed to choose their own schools.
Before her advocacy, only 17 states had educational choice policies. Student choice has grown in popularity and now all 50 states have different programs, like magnet schools, private schools, and charter schools. However, virtual schools are also included, especially as the pandemic has increased the need for distance learning.
DeVos created multiple policies during her term to help and empower students. However, student choice made it possible for all students to go to better schools, especially if from lower-income families. In Florida, students are able to get a tuition-based scholarship to go to private schools once accepted.
From her experience, these policies specifically benefit low-income families. Parents have voiced their support of these programs because their kids can finally go to better schools, even if they aren’t able to pay for tuition.
How are parents able to pay for tuition? It’s not through public funding, according to DeVos in her CBS’ “60 Minutes” interview with Leslie Stahl. The interview highlighted her opinion that her opponents haven’t even tried to understand how these programs are paid for through philanthropy. In fact, her campaigns are backed by donations from Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sam Walton.
DeVos has said that after her term, she plans to continue her fight for student choice and placing students as the top priority.
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