Confirmation of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education would be a Blow to Students, says NWLC

Janaury 16, 2017 - The following is a statement by Marcia D. Greenberger, Co-President of the National Women's Law Center (NLWC):

"If Betsy DeVos is confirmed as Secretary of Education, America's students will suffer-especially our girls and young women. DeVos's record stands in stark contrast to the Department of Education's crucial function of protecting equal access to high-quality education for all students. Her efforts to oppose commonsense oversight of charter schools and dramatically expand vouchers, not only damages public schools but also threatens quality education for students nationwide. Her actions in Michigan demonstrate how much is at stake. Last summer, DeVos aggressively lobbied state legislators, spending over $1.45 million to derail provisions to increase oversight of Detroit charter schools, even including one that would 'stop failing charter operators from creating new schools.' Her efforts to shield charter schools from oversight remove accountability, including for basic civil rights principles of equality of opportunity. Detroit's charter school system has been recognized as one of the greatest school reform failures in the country. 

"DeVos also has a history of supporting controversial organizations whose work undermines protections for students-especially those most at need. She has contributed to the Foundation for Individual Rights (FIRE), which has fought to weaken and even eliminate Title IX's protection of students subjected to gender violence-endangering these students' ability to continue their education and the prevention of future harassment and assault. DeVos has also given millions of dollars to anti-choice causes and organizations, including "crisis pregnancy centers," which have been documented to use misleading marketing practices and provide women with misinformation about abortion and birth control. At least two of the centers to which DeVos donated have inaccurate information about abortion on their websites. These centers jeopardize young women's ability to prevent pregnancy and stay in school and undermine Title IX's anti-discrimination protections for those who have abortions or use birth control. DeVos also has poured millions into anti-LGBTQ efforts, including the campaign against marriage equality, and donated to an organization that supports "conversion therapy." One of the recipients of this support, Focus on the Family, even opposed efforts to combat bullying against LGBTQ students.

"DeVos's support for organizations working to undermine protections for students reinforces her lack of suitability to lead the Department of Education and discharge the obligations that would be entrusted to her."

The National Women's Law Center is a non-profit organization that has been working since 1972 to advance and protect women's equality and opportunity. The Center focuses on major policy areas of importance to women and their families including economic security, education, employment and health, with special attention given to the concerns of low-income women. For more information on the Center, visit: www.nwlc.org.