Arizona Charter Schools Association Endorses DeVos Nomination

Arizona Charter Schools Association, as unanimously resolved by its Board of Directors, submitted a letter of support for President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nomination for United States Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos.

Dear Sen. Alexander,

As you and your committee colleagues undertake the many important tasks before you in Congress, we write on behalf of the Arizona Charter Schools Association, as unanimously resolved by its Board of Directors, to enthusiastically endorse President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nomination for United States Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos.

Betsy DeVos has dedicated her considerable intellect, determined energies and material resources for long years in the effort to renew and advance American education. We believe that Betsy DeVos is well-chosen by President-elect Trump as America’s next Secretary of Education. She has a demonstrated a commitment to school choice and public charter schools. She brings passion, energy and a skill set to the process which gives those working so hard to raise the level of education for all students across America the hope that our schools will once again lead the world, and our children will grow to be lifelong learners, with a sustaining sense of both their heritage and their future.

This nomination signals to our nation, and indeed the world, that President-elect Trump is serious about the continuing improvement of American education. Mrs. DeVos’ nomination does not signal an “anti-public school” agenda, but rather, follows the great work of both of President-elect Trump’s immediate predecessors, President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, in committing to quality school choices for every American child.

The Arizona Charter Schools Association represents one of the largest public charter school movements in the country, with student achievement results outpacing states across the country. On the Nation’s Report Card, Arizona charter schools, if measured as a state, outperformed nearly all other states in the recent National Assessment of Educational Progress exams in English, Math and Science. In addition, Arizona charter students are also outperforming their peers on statewide exams. About 30 percent of Arizona public schools are charters, with more than 180,000 students choosing this quality option.

Over the past decade, Arizona has produced a number of rapidly growing, high-achieving public school models in the charter sector, which have lengthy wait-lists in Arizona and have now been recruited and begun to replicate in states across America. The promising developments that school choice is revealing in diverse communities across our country are still in their early stages. If access to public charter schools is sustained and accelerated in federal and state policy, the opportunity exists to lift student achievement, educational attainment and life outcomes for all students.

The Arizona Charter Schools Association urges the Senate to expeditiously confirm Betsy DeVos as United States Secretary of Education.

Sincerely,