The Education Trust-Midwest’s Statement on the Selection of Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education
ROYAL OAK, Mich. (Nov. 23, 2016) – Today President-elect Donald Trump announced his selection of Michigander Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education. If confirmed, DeVos will be the first Secretary of Education from Michigan. The following statement may be attributed to Amber Arellano, executive director of The Education Trust-Midwest:
“In the next few years, the U.S. Department of Education will play a pivotal leadership role in the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This leadership will be critical to ensuring that all states take very seriously their responsibility to guarantee that every student has access to the high-quality education that he or she deserves in our country – and fulfills the promise of the American dream of equal opportunity for all children.
“As U.S. Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos will have the opportunity to continue our nation’s upward trajectory by working to ensure that students are given the opportunities they need to succeed academically, and that schools and institutions are responsible for the success of all students.
“In this role, she will also have the potential to undermine the nation’s hard-won progress by diverting resources from the young people who most need them, or by failing to uphold the federal government’s responsibility to protecting the needs and interests of all students—especially the most vulnerable.
“While our views on some policies may differ, we share Ms. DeVos’ passion for pursuing an excellent education for every student, regardless of race, ethnicity, family income, disability, or English learner status. Every student deserves to attend a public school with high expectations, high-quality teachers, and rigorous college- and career-ready instruction. Our schools – regardless of governance – also must be held accountable for the learning and achievement of all groups of students.
“We look forward to working with Ms. DeVos and congratulate her on her selection to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Education.”
