Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Visits Milpitas as Part of West Coast Tour

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos visited Thomas Russell Middle School in Milpitas Thursday. DeVos said she chose Russell because of its approach to individualized learning, which tailors curriculum based on individual students’ needs.

“I especially appreciate visiting the classrooms and seeing firsthand how the students are being served here,” DeVos said.

Her visit comes on the heels of another visit to a high school in McMinnville, Oregon, where dozens of protesters gathered outside the school.

DeVos has been the subject of controversy for her support of charter and religious schools and school vouchers.

In Milpitas, about a dozen protesters gathered outside Thomas Russell Middle School with signs that said “Shame on You DeVos!”

“It’s not OK to privatize schools,” said Cialysiah Washington, a freshman at De Anza College. “We want her to know that schools are not a business, and schools should be made for everybody.”

DeVos’ press secretary, Elizabeth Hill, says DeVos is less focused on school type and more on a parent’s ability to choose. Hill says this tour is part of DeVos’ efforts to learn how schools around the country are teaching students.

The Milpitas district didn’t learn about the visit until Saturday, but it was kept under wraps from the public until Wednesday afternoon.

During her visit, DeVos visited four classrooms, including an art class where she made a self-portrait and a science class.

As part of her West Coast tour, DeVos also will visit Seattle for a fundraiser.