How could public education change under the Trump administration?

Students and funding could be drained from public schools if reforms proposed by President-elect Donald Trump and his nominee for education secretary, Betsy DeVos, are implemented, according to Sarah Lubienski, a professor in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction.

Lubienski, an expert on educational equity, spoke with News Bureau education editor Sharita Forrest about the possible future of public schools under the Trump administration and Devos, who is an advocate of school choice initiatives such as vouchers and charter schools.

Professor Lubienski said Devos has a history of education policy advocacy but barely any hands-on experience with public schools.

“[She] has spent the past two decades promoting privatization of schooling in various ways, including charter schools and vouchers that students can use toward private-school tuition,” Lubienski said.

As far as higher education, Lubienski said there are concerns DeVos will be more supportive of private postsecondary institutions than public universities.

Read the full interview.