On the Betsy DeVos Nomination: We Oppose

Yesterday NCLR sent a letter to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Chairman Lamar Alexander and Ranking Member Patty Murray opposing the nomination of Betsy DeVos for U.S. Secretary of Education.

One in four children in U.S. schools are Latino, and that number will only rise. It is critical that their needs are addressed by the U.S. Department of Education, but for this to occur, the nominee for secretary of education must be committed to upholding civil rights. However, during her hearing, DeVos was only asked one question about civil rights, related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and expressed unfamiliarity with the law. Due to the limited questioning, it is uncertain that she would protect the civil rights of minority children.

NCLR was at the forefront of the movement to pass the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA is important for Latino students, requiring that states be accountable for English learners’ progress. Without information to make us confident that DeVos will enforce the law or uphold our children’s civil rights, we must oppose DeVos’ nomination.

Read the full letter below:

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