Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said Thursday that a newly rescinded Obama administration order that had mandated bathroom access in public schools based on gender identity was an example of “overreach.”
“Let me just say that this issue was a very huge example of the Obama administration’s overreach to suggest a one-size-fits-all federal government approach, top-down approach to issues that are best dealt with and solved [at] a personal level and a local level,” Mrs. DeVos said at the 2017 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
“And I have made clear from the moment I’ve been in this job that it’s our job to protect students and to do that to the fullest extent that we can, and also to provide students, parents and teachers with more flexibility around how education is delivered,” she said. “And to protect and preserve personal freedoms.”
Mrs. DeVos issued a statement Wednesday after the Trump administration rescinded the order in which she pledged to protect every student in America and ensure they have the freedom to learn in a safe environment.
“I have dedicated my career to advocating for and fighting on behalf of students, and as secretary of Education, I consider protecting all students, including LGBTQ students, not only a key priority for the department, but for every school in America,” she said Wednesday.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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