DeVos Promotes School Vouchers, Defends Charters

The confirmation hearing of Betsy DeVos, Trump's nominee for secretary of education, underscored her support for private-school vouchers. She promised to promote voucher programs, but will not require states to adopt them. DeVos appeared to be unfamiliar with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which requires that all schools receiving public funding accommodate special needs, but affirmed that she supports federal law. She believes states should set policy on a number of educational issues, including whether guns should be allowed in public schools, and defended her support of Detroit charter schools despite their failing record. DeVos did not articulate clear views on student progress and school testing or accommodating transgender students during the hearing. 

FiveThirtyEight (1/18/17)