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Trump Picks a School Choice Advocate as His Education Secretary

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President-elect Donald Trump chose Betsy DeVos, a conservative and billionaire philanthropist, to be secretary of education Wednesday.

DeVos is a long-time supporter of the Republican party and political activist.  She is a vocal advocate for charter schools and school vouchers, and her nomination underscore's Trump's vision to reform education and give American families more choices when it comes to their children's education. She currently leads the advocacy group, American Federation for Children, and sits on the board of the Jeb Bush led Foundation for Excellence in Education.

Trump calls DeVos "a brilliant and passionate education advocate."

"Under her leadership we will reform the U.S. education system and break the bureaucracy that is holding our children back so that we can deliver world-class education and school choice to all families," he added.

DeVos said in the Spring 2013 issue of Philanthropy magazine that she was optimistic about school choice, saying that within the previous year, "the number of students in educational-choice programs grew by about 40,000."

She said that "the public's awareness that traditional public schools are not succeeding" has "helped people become more open to what were once considered really radical reforms—reforms like vouchers, tax credits, and education savings accounts."
 
If chosen, she plans to ensure these reforms are increased and improved.

DeVos Tweeted Wednesday afternoon, "I am honored to work with the President-elect on his vision to make American education great again. The status quo in ed is not acceptable."

DeVos is more than a political activist and reformer, she is also a woman of faith. She graduated from Calvin College, a top-rated Christian school in her home state of Michigan. However, her faith is seen in more than just her college degree, but her actions as well.

She heads up the Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation, an organization that focuses on creating educational and leadership opportunities for children.

"Our faith motivates our giving," she says on the foundation's website. "It is integral to who we are what we do."

Devos has fought for more than education, but for life as well. Many see her nomination as a victory for the conservative values Trump has sworn to protect.

The pro-life organization, National Right to Life released a statement at the news of her nomination.

"President-Elect Trump's selection of Betsy DeVos to serve as education secretary continues to show that he is committed to building a pro-life administration. Betsy DeVos, and her husband Dick have long been dedicated supporters of the right-to-life cause. National Right to Life congratulates Betsy DeVos on this recognition of her leadership in the field of education," the statement read.

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