In a brief press release posted on the U.S. Department of Education’s website, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said she has accepted an invitation from American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten to visit a public school in Van Wert, Ohio.
“I look forward to visiting the students, parents and educators of Van Wert,” DeVos said in the press release, adding praise for public schools.
“Every parent should be able to send their children to a school that meets their unique needs, and for many parents, that is a public school,” DeVos said. “I support and celebrate all great schools.
“I appreciate the district and AFT President Randi Weingarten extending the invitation,” DeVos said.
At a press conference last month, Weingarten criticized President Donald Trump’s proposed 2018 education budget, which calls for an increase in federal spending on school choice programs by $1.4 billion, and in the long run will reach an annual total of $20 billion.
The budget also proposes a $168 million increase for charter schools, $250 million for a new private school choice program, and a $1 billion increase for Title I to encourage schools districts to adopt a system of student- based budgeting and open enrollment that enables Federal, State, and local funding to follow the student to the public school of his or her choice.
Weingarten was also critical of DeVos during her confirmation hearings.
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