Donald Trump's Education Secretary Pick Betsy DeVos Says US Public School System Is A 'Dead End’; Policies Deterring Students From Higher Education?

Donald Trump recently announced that his Secretary of Education pick is Michigan billionaire Betsy DeVos and many have voiced out their concerns after she claimed the Public School System of the United States is a "dead end." Also, the policies of Trump when it comes to education may mean that more students will not be able to have higher education.

According to The Spokesman-Review, DeVos pointed out in her speech that there will be a wide array of choices for parents. However, critics believe her move will mean privatizing America's public education system.

Devos also noted that the public education system is a dead end because it makes American fall further behind. DeVos said that the public school system denies many children of opportunities and they only get a substandard education.

She then made an example about the Alpha and Beta Schools. She referred to the Alpha schools as high-performing schools with graduation rates of 70 to 90 percent.

Beta Schools, as per DeVos, are the low-performing schools and the graduations rates is just around 50 percent. She then asked the audience if they would rather choose the Alpha School over the Beta School.

DeVos did not expressly say that she wants to eliminate traditional public schools but included them at the top of a list of what she wants to be an open system of choice. Other systems included on her list were publicly funded charters, private and parochial schools, as well as virtual schools.

As for the projected policies of Trump regarding higher education, WBUR reported that the Obama administration has made changes regarding college loan as federal loan programs have been expanded, meaning more were able to attend college. However, Republicans have pointed out that such loans will create more problems long-term so it is possible that the Trump administration will deter students from attending college. It is believed that Trump will impose privatization when it comes to college loans.

Such policy, however, will affect lower-income and minority students. During Trump's campaign, he said that he would raise the student loan repayment from 10 to 12.5 percent of annual income. The repayment would also drop from 20 to 15 years.