For the third time in just a few weeks, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos made her way to Capitol Hill on Wednesday, this time to testify before the House Committee on Education and Labor on the Department of Education’s (ED) policy priorities. Throughout the more than four-hour hearing, Democrats on the committee put the pressure on DeVos to answer questions on everything from ED’s proposed fiscal year 2020 budget and borrower defense claims processing, to oversight of loan servicers, accreditation, school closures, and the recent negotiated rulemaking session.
While committee members also spent a significant amount of time discussing K-12 education issues, several pressed DeVos for answers on issues related to federal student aid, including proposals to expand eligibility for Pell Grants, reform to the Federal Work-Study program, and apprenticeship and dual enrollment programs.
DeVos in her opening remarks took time to justify proposed changes and cuts in the administration’s fiscal year 2020 budget proposal, as well as shifts that would clear more of a pathway for career training and vocational education.
“There are many paths to successful careers, and federal student aid programs should be flexible enough to support students on the path of their choice,” she said.