Tag: Betsy DeVoss

Conservative group linked to DeVos family organizes protest of coronavirus restrictions in Michigan

AlterNet logoProtesters rallied around the country this week against stay-at-home orders forcing nonessential businesses to shut down, but Michigan’s governor warned that they may have backfired by creating “a need to lengthen” the lockdowns.

Protesters in at least six states planned to protest restrictions aimed at containing the spread of the new coronavirus this week. In Michigan, a conservative group linked to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ family organized “Operation Gridlock” to protest restrictions on nonessential businesses and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recent order barring travel between homes. The state is among the hardest-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, reporting more than 27,000 confirmed cases and 1,909 deaths.

Some protesters, several of whom wore pro-Trump gear, gathered on the capitol steps as many remained in their cars. Demonstrators chanted “recall Whitmer” and “lock her up,” a chant normally usually used by Trump supporters in reference to his 2016 Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Continue reading.

Betsy DeVos was asked, again, about visiting struggling schools. A staffer interjected.

The following article by Kristine Phillips was posted on the Washington Post website April 28, 2018:

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Credit: Ted S. Warren/AP

While attending a robotics competition in her home state of Michigan this past week, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos was asked by a reporter if she had plans to visit some of the struggling schools in the area — the same question that journalist Lesley Stahl asked her during a “60 Minutes” interview a month ago. Her answer then — “Maybe I should” — was highly criticized.

Her answer Friday was more resolute. “I’m not making any school visits today,” DeVos told WDIV Local 4 News reporter Priya Mann, who asked if DeVos would visit Detroit public schools, some of which weren’t far from where the event was taking place. Continue reading “Betsy DeVos was asked, again, about visiting struggling schools. A staffer interjected.”

Betsy DeVos moves to push military families into voucher program

The following article by A.P. Joyce was posted on the mic.com website April 20, 2018:

President Trump greets Education Secretary Betsy DeVos during a White House event last year. Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is now working to switch to vouchers for school funding for our nation’s military families, and many of them are not happy about it.

On Wednesday, U.S. News and World Report reported that DeVos was meeting with Defense Secretary James Mattis to discuss a plan that would change the way schools on military bases are funded.

Currently military bases and other tax-exempt places fund public schools through a $1.3 billion Impact Aid program. DeVos’ plan would reallocate that money for vouchers that families could use to send their kids to private schools. Continue reading “Betsy DeVos moves to push military families into voucher program”

DeVos review of racial bias guidance stirs controversy

The following article by Lydia Wheeler was posted on the Hill website April 11, 2018:

© Greg Nash

Civil rights groups are fighting to stop Education Secretary Betsy DeVosfrom rolling back Obama-era guidance on school discipline that aimed to protect black students from being punished more severely than their white peers.

DeVos met with education advocates on the left and right last week to talk about the joint guidance the Education and Justice departments issued in 2014 to help schools avoid policies that discriminate, even unintentionally, against black students. Continue reading “DeVos review of racial bias guidance stirs controversy”

Are Trump and DeVos Waging a War on Teachers?

The following article by Kami Spicklemire and Stephenie Johnson was posted on the Center for American Progress website June 5, 2017:

President Trump and Education Secretary DeVos in April, 2017

Throughout his campaign and time in office, President Donald Trump has touted being a “tremendous believer in education.” And Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has repeatedly called for “equal opportunity for all kids.” However, neither Trump nor DeVos has demonstrated any interest in supporting or leveraging the most critical resource for improving student achievement—teachers. Indeed, research shows that well-supported, highly skilled educators achieve an average of 1.5 years of academic growth among their students.

In the most recent budget proposal, however, President Trump and Secretary DeVos have decided to completely withdraw federal investment from the educator workforce. This threatens every child’s access to a quality education. Throughout their first several months on the job, Trump and DeVos have shown nothing but disrespect for teachers and the teaching profession. Continue reading “Are Trump and DeVos Waging a War on Teachers?”

Five startling things Betsy DeVos just told Congress

The following article by Valerie Strauss was posted on the Washington Post website May 24, 2017:

Does this sound familiar? Betsy DeVos went to Capitol Hill to testify before U.S. lawmakers. She didn’t answer a lot of direct questions and engaged in some contentious debates with some members.

That happened in January when she went before the Senate education committee for her confirmation hearing, during which she said schools needed guns to protect against grizzly bears. This time, the education secretary didn’t talk about guns, but she did say that states should have the right to decide whether private schools that accept publicly funded voucher students should be allowed to discriminate against students for whatever reason they want. Continue reading “Five startling things Betsy DeVos just told Congress”

Trump administration rolls back protections for transgender students

The following article by Sandhya Somashekhar, Emma Brown, Moriah Balingit and Robert Barnes was posted on the Washington Post website February 22, 2017:

President Donald Trump looks at Education Secretary Betsy DeVos as he speaks during a meeting with parents and teachers, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. (Evan Vucci/AP)

The Trump administration on Wednesday revoked federal protections for transgender students who sought the right to use the public school restrooms that match their gender identity, taking a stand on a contentious issue that has become the central battle over LGBT rights.

Officials with the federal Education and Justice departments notified the U.S. Supreme Court that it was ordering the nation’s schools to disregard memos the Obama administration issued during the past two years that said prohibiting transgender students from using facilities that align with their gender identity violates federal anti-discrimination laws. Continue reading “Trump administration rolls back protections for transgender students”