Betsy DeVos' Confirmation Hearing: What to Watch For
It's finally happening: Betsy DeVos, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the U.S. Department of Education, is set to testify before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee at her confirmation hearing Tuesday.
In the past, confirmation hearings for an education secretary have typically been bipartisan love fests. But that's not going to be the case this time around.
DeVos' background as a voucher supporter who has never worked in a government, in a school district, or attended or sent her kids to public school has generated big backlash from educators and civil rights groups. In fact, 38 groups who don't always see eye-to-eye on K-12 issues—including Democrats for Education Reform and the teachers' unions—sent a letter Tuesday to Senate education committee leaders oppossing DeVos' nomination.
At the same time, Republicans—including former GOP presidential nominee Mitty Romney and former first Lady Barbara Bush—have embraced DeVos as someone who can train a set of fresh eyes on K-12 policy. And she'll be introduced by former Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., who has Betsy DeVos' Confirmation Hearing: What to Watch For - Politics K-12 - Education Week: