Betsy DeVos: A Contender for Education Secretary Again?

Betsy DeVos, who served as the Secretary of Education in Donald Trump’s first administration, is being considered for a potential return to the position. In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, DeVos expressed her thoughts on who would be suitable candidates for the role if she does not secure it herself.

“There’s a whole host of Republican governors who have led on issues around K-12 education,” DeVos stated, highlighting the track records of certain state leaders in education reform.

Empowering States and Families

DeVos reiterated the need for education policy to shift control away from the federal level, favoring local governance. “As President Trump has said, we should definitely include every effort to depower the federal agency and turn control back over to states, local districts, and parents,” she noted, underscoring her commitment to local decision-making in education.

During Trump’s campaign, he pledged, “one of the first things I’ll do is closing up the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., and sending all education and education work it needs back to the states.” This sentiment aligns closely with DeVos’s advocacy for reducing federal involvement in education and expanding parental control over school choices.

The Future of Education Funding

In her vision for educational reform, DeVos emphasizes “block granting,” which she describes as a means to eliminate bureaucratic red tape while maintaining funding. “Let’s talk about eliminating the bureaucracy, not the budget,” she insisted, asserting that states should receive the funds directly to support families in need.

Under her approach, funds would ideally flow from the federal government straight to families, giving them greater agency in choosing educational paths for their children.

Legacy of School Choice and Controversy

During her first term, DeVos was a staunch advocate for school choice, promoting policies that would allow public funding to be used for private and religious school tuition. She also rescinded federal guidelines regarding bathroom access for transgender students, arguing that such decisions should rest with states and localities.

DeVos recalls her accomplishments from the previous administration, pointing to education freedom policies that several states adopted during her tenure. “Many states have passed education freedom policies to support families making those choices in that state,” she remarked, advocating for an expansion of such policies nationwide.

Contrasting Education Policies Under Biden

In stark contrast to DeVos’s approach, the Biden administration has focused on increasing funding for public schools, particularly in low-income areas. Through the American Rescue Plan during the COVID-19 pandemic, Biden sought to provide significant financial support to struggling educational institutions.

Biden’s education policies have also included movements towards college student debt relief, despite facing legal obstacles. The current administration is pushing a federal rule aimed at providing loan forgiveness to borrowers facing financial hardships.

If implemented, this new rule would authorize a one-time student debt forgiveness for those identified as high-risk borrowers based on existing data. It would allow future borrowers to apply for relief based on their specific hardships.

Addressing Higher Education Challenges

DeVos, however, has criticized the Biden administration’s management of federal student lending systems. “There is every argument for if the taxpayers are going to be funding student lending, there better be ways to oversee it and actually do it effectively and efficiently,” she emphasized.

She believes that the current student loan landscape is “a huge mess” that requires a fundamental rethinking, suggesting a potential role for private sector lending to complement public options in the education finance system.