DeVos: Common Core Not 'Really Around' in Schools Anymore

Common Core is not "really" around anymore, as each state can set its own standards for students, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said Monday.

"The Every Student Succeeds Act, which is in the process of being implemented now, essentially does away with the whole argument about Common Core," DeVos told Fox News' "America's Newsroom."

"Each state can set the standards for their state. They may elect to adopt very high standards for their students to aspire to and work toward. That will be up to each state to be able to ascertain what is right for that state. We hope that all of them will have very high expectations."

The Every Student Succeeds Act was passed in December 2015, but which has still not been implemented, replaces the No Child Left Behind Act. Under its provisions, the federal government is prohibited from influencing states to adopt Common Core in hopes of receiving performance-based federal grants.

Conservative groups fought Common Core, saying the program gave too much power to the government, while educators and parents fought against the federal education standards on grounds they did not help address the major issues education faces.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration Monday announced a push for STEM [science, technology, engineering, and math studies] education for women. DeVos said the day was exciting as it marked astronaut Peggy Whitson's 535th day in space.

"She broke the record for any human being's time in space, and it was notable in that a woman did it," DeVos  said. "One of the things that we're trying to encourage is for young women to pursue science, technology, engineering, and math studies . . . it was a really good and important moment the highlight the opportunities available and the real look to the future."

President Donald Trump, accompanied by daughter Ivanka and NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, called the International Space Station from the White House on Monday, and DeVos said "thousands, if not millions of young people across this country were tuned into the broadcast, to the interview, to the live phone call, and we hope that many of them will be encouraged to pursue these subjects."

DeVos faced controversy herself when she was nominated and confirmed, but she pointed out she supports great schools and teachers.

"We want every child in this country to have the opportunity to get the best education for them possible," DeVos said.

"We continue to maintain our focus needs to be on each and every student and doing what's right on their behalf," she continued.

"Empowering parents to make the decisions that are best for their children knowing their children best of anybody and to be able to find the right educational environment for each child is the focus of this administration."

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