NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos found an enthusiastic audience for her education policies at the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Tennessee on Wednesday.
DeVos spoke about her belief that religious schools and colleges should be able to receive government support on an equal footing with public and other non-religious institutions. To that end, she recently proposed a federal tax credit that would help fund scholarships for private K-12 schools. Many public school advocates oppose the plan.
“We know that every child is special and unique. They learn differently. There are different things that interest them, that excite them. And yet too many kids today are forced to be in schools that aren’t the right fit and aren’t working for them,” DeVos said.
An audience of several hundred gave DeVos a standing ovation as she entered and exited the auditorium. They also cheered her assertion that too many children are not being allowed to express their religious faith in school.
Asked how her religious faith influences her work, DeVos said, “It basically is foundational to everything that I do. It does inform all my days, all of my decisions.”