A biography for Betsy DeVoshasn’t been written yet.
“At my direction, the Department's Office for Civil Rights remains committed to investigating all claims of discrimination, bullying, and harassment against those who are most vulnerable in our schools.”
“Every child deserves to attend school in a safe, supportive environment where they can learn, thrive, and grow.”
“The natural instinct is to join in the chorus of conflict, to make your voice louder, your point bigger, and your position stronger. But we will not solve the significant and real problems our country faces if we cannot bring ourselves to embrace a mindset of grace.”
“I expect there will be more public charter schools.”
“Where conflicts are identified, they will be resolved.”
“The vast majority of students in this country will continue to attend public schools.”
“Assault in any form is never OK, and I want to be very clear on that.”
“HBCUs are real pioneers when it comes to school choice. They are living proof that when more options are provided to students, they are afforded greater access and greater quality.”
“Government likes committees... a lot. Committees kill all the really good ideas and generally all the really bad ideas. They produce middle-ground mush.”
“Teaching is hard. It takes a lot of skill. Not everyone who tries can do it well. We need to admit that and act accordingly. We should reward and respect great teachers by paying them more, and we should stop rewarding seniority over effectiveness.”
“As a kid, I grew up middle class, but my father was a great innovator with an entrepreneurial spirit, and it wasn't long before my family became part of the infamous 1%.”
“As a mom, I just can't imagine having a child who would feel discriminated against for any reason, and I would want my child in a safe environment.”
“It is necessary and critical for states to have flexibility to determine how to identify and improve schools.”
“The faculty, from adjunct professors to deans, tell you what to do, what to say, and more ominously, what to think.”
“Our nation's commitment is to provide a quality education to every child to serve the public common good. Accordingly, we must shift the paradigm to think of education funding as investments made in individual children, not in institutions or buildings.”
“When governors such as John Engler, Mike Huckabee, and Mike Pence were driving the conversation on voluntary high standards driven by local voices, it all made sense.”
“We'll be examining and auditing and reviewing all of the programs of the department and really figuring out what is the core mission and how can the federal department of education really support and enhance the role of the departments in the states.”
“There are not enough philanthropic dollars in America to fund what is currently the need in education.”
“All schools that receive public funding should be accountable, yes.”
“My job isn't to win popularity contests.”