Statement by Betsy DeVos Secretary of Education Before the Committee on Education and Labor United States House of Representatives
Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Foxx, and Members of the Committee:
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on this Administration’s education priorities and initiatives, many of which are reflected in the President’s Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Request for the Department of Education.
The Department’s mission focuses on coming alongside teachers and parents in their efforts to help each student pursue the education that works for them. This Administration is committed to improving student outcomes by expanding education freedom. We propose making targeted investments in such freedom for school leaders, for teachers, and for students and their families. The Budget would also expand the opportunity to use Pell Grants for high-quality, short-term training, enhance workforce development and career and technical education, and streamlining and improving student loan repayment.
Elsewhere in the President’s fiscal year 2020 budget, the Administration is proposing a Federal tax credit to encourage voluntary contributions of up to $5 billion each year for scholarships to elementary and secondary students. Here are three things the Committee needs to know about our Education Freedom Scholarships proposal.
First, it relies entirely on voluntary contributions to State-identified, non-profit organizations that give scholarships to students. So, the proposal does not divert a single penny away from public school teachers or public school students. It is merely a mechanism to empower families to choose the best educational options for their children.