Opinion: DeVos a mystery

Betsy Devos confirmation as education secretary has been surrounded by controversy as she as no experience in the education field. Guest contributor Michael Capps offers his take on her.

Betsy Devos’ confirmation as education secretary has been surrounded by controversy as she as no experience in the education field. Guest contributor Michael Capps offers his take on her.

Michael Capps, Guest Contributor

The first ever tiebreaker in United States Senate history was made by Vice President Mike Pence recently to confirm Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary. One of Trump’s most controversial cabinet choices, DeVos takes on her new role with almost no education experience.

Much of the support for DeVos is based off her work in Michigan and her support of Trump’s idea to put $20 Billion into the Federal-School Voucher Program for low-income children. But DeVos’ confirmation was by such a slight margin (Pence’s vote broke a 50-50 tie), she continues to be questioned about her qualifications for the job.

Democratic Senator of Minnesota Al Franken even questioned her on if growth or proficiency was a better way to judge students. After she struggled to respond, Franken suggested that she doesn’t have the “breadth and depth of knowledge to be Education Secretary.”

DeVos didn’t help herself when asked about guns in school. Her response, “I think probably there(Wyoming), I would imagine that there’s probably a gun in the school to protect from potential grizzlies.” Maybe so, but not the best response for a nationwide issue; especially since 45 of 50 states have no grizzly bears.

Although all Democrats voted against her confirmation and two Republicans voted no, DeVos remains committed to strengthening the public education system for all students.

Republican Senator of Texas Ted Cruz was confident in her ability to do just that.

“The confirmation of betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education is welcome news for students and parents in Texas and across our great nation,” Cruz said. “I look forward to working with her on the enormous task of giving every child access to quality education, unlocking the gates of opportunity, and unleashing the potential of all students to pursue their ambitions and achieve their dreams.”

It remains to be seen what she will do, or why Trump picked her, but her family’s estimated $200 million in donations to Republican candidates over the years could be part of the reason.

One of the biggest concerns over her choice is how she will handle public schools. Her support of private and charter schools and insistence for some taxpayer money to go towards these schools could end up hurting public schools.

All in all though, a lot remains to be seen regarding Betsy DeVos. She had a big impact on education in Michigan but as she has shown, she still has a lot to learn before this can be called a great move.