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DeVos will put America’s children first

The transition from one presidential administration to the next begins with confirmation hearings for Cabinet nominees. Betsy DeVos has been nominated for Education Secretary, and Sen. Joe Manchin should be proud to support her.

As a businesswoman, philanthropist, and life-long education activist, DeVos has the experience, leadership skills, and compassion necessary to lead this country’s education system to the successful standard that parents and students deserve. Returning more control over education issues to families and communities was a signature of Trump’s campaign platform, and there is no principle that represents Betsy DeVos’ platform for education more than providing more engagement to families.

DeVos has spent nearly 30 years fighting on the frontlines of education to empower parents and create greater school choice for students, especially for traditionally at-risk communities. Her experience demonstrates that she is willing to take on the Beltway bureaucracy to put students’ interests ahead of special interests. Betsy DeVos is a leader and advocate for the students that have typically been left behind.

Reforming education will take a principled leader who believes in parents to make the right choices for their children and understands the appropriate balance between federal oversight and local control. DeVos’ honest desire to do the right thing for America’s education system and its families is clear.

As an outsider, DeVos’ nomination has caused some consternation among the political classes. But her dedication to students and qualifications to run the Education Department are well established.

In November, the voters made clear that they are looking for new leadership to bring real change to Washington. People are tired of politics-as-usual; they expect their government to work for them, listen to them, and be accountable to them. DeVos’ ideas will shake up education and, based on her success in Michigan and as the head of American Federation for Children, she will demand accountability for students and their families.  Betsy DeVos has called public education “a closed system, a closed industry, a closed market. It’s a monopoly, a dead end.” She has fought to increase parental choice, giving parents a greater say in their children’s education.

Betsy DeVos will be a great Education Secretary and I urge Sen. Manchin to support DeVos and her nomination.

Amanda Pasdon previously served in the West Virginia House of Delegates as education chair.

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