Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos was in South Florida on Thursday to tour schools at all different levels.
DeVos started her day at CARE Elementary School, a faith based school in Overtown, and later visited FIU in the morning – her first visit to a public university since being confirmed to her cabinet post. There, she met with Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and university president Mark Rosenberg.
DeVos said the focus of President Trump's administration is to empower states and local municipalities when it comes to education. And she said FIU has great partnerships with the community.
"The partnership formed with Miami-Dade Schools and the mutually symbiotic relationship, there is one that has to be encouraged and fostered," DeVos said. "We don't want the federal government to come and put a damper on any of that."
DeVos spent the afternoon at SLAM Charter School, founded by Miami native and pop superstar Pitbull.
On Friday, DeVos is scheduled to visit Royal Palm Elementary School before concluding her trip at Miami-Dade College.
DeVos has been an outspoken supporter of charter schools and school choice – a position that has caused disagreements from public school officials who opposed her nomination by President Trump.
