Eli Broad Joins Chorus: DeVos ‘Unprepared and Unqualified’ for Secretary of Education

02Feb
by La Comadre

On Wednesday, Eli Broad, a prominent philanthropist in Los Angeles who has been influential in fighting for educational equity and supporting the creation of excellent schools including charter schools, voiced his opposition to Betsy DeVos, Donald Trump’s nominee for the Secretary of Education. Eli Broad has been one of the most committed philanthropists for education in Los Angeles and across the country for decades. Yet some political players try to portray him as a billionaire boogie man though what he advocates for is aligned with what parents want for their children: excellent public schools in their neighborhoods, especially for low-income families who often don’t have high quality school options in their communities. It’s wonderful to see someone of Mr. Broad’s prominence weigh in on this important selection because the next Secretary of Education will influence the future of all of America’s children.

In the letter, Broad wrote:

“I believe she is unprepared and unqualified for the position. Indeed, with Betsy DeVos at the helm of the U.S. Department of Education, much of the good work that has been accomplished to improve public education for all of America’s children could be undone.”

This letter comes at a time when Senators are turning away from Betsy DeVos because of her limited experience in education.

We have documented some of the concerns that people have with Betsy DeVos. To learn more, click here:

10 Disturbing Things We Learned About Betsy DeVos

Betsy DeVos Didn’t Do Her Homework For Her Hearing

School Vouchers and Betsy DeVos: What Education Might Look Like in the Trump Administration

In addition to Eli Broad’s recommendation that Betsy DeVos not be confirmed as education secretary, Thomas Saenz, the President and General Counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), has issued a statement in opposition to the nominee to serve as Secretary of Education. In part, that statement says:

“Beyond her refusal to educate herself about the federal government’s statutorily mandated role, Betsy DeVos has demonstrated an active disinterest in acting as a critical monitor and guarantor of equal educational opportunity in public schools nationwide.  Abrogation of this role raises serious questions about what DeVos would otherwise do as secretary.  Here too, the indications – promotion of privatization, abnegation of growing acceptance and safe environment for all students, and the like – are extremely troubling.

MALDEF has no choice but to oppose this Cabinet selection and to urge the United States Senate to reject the nomination of Betsy DeVos to serve as Secretary of Education.”

The vote before the full Senate to confirm DeVos may happen next week, but for now, her nomination is in jeopardy.

What do you think?

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La Comadre

We are Moms, Tias, Ninas and Play-Tias who love children in our lives and we want to help every child succeed in school. Navigating schools and education—from preschool to college—is hard. We want to help each other with this.
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