CORRECTION: In this Interview we incorrectly identified Maggie Hassan as a senator from New Jersey. She is from New Hampshire. We apologize for the error.
Today's Senate confirmation of Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education comes amid controversy around her political contributions and her polarizing stance on charter schools.
But one issue that's important to California is how much federal funding comes through to local schools – especially for the kinds of programs designed to ensure that students who have special needs, or come from low-income families, still get a high quality education.
A lot of that funding comes from Title I, which also goes to preschool and arts programs. While significant changes to funding need Congressional approval, the Secretary does have influence over setting priorities.
The public may soon get a clearer picture of what those priorities are for the White House, said POLITICO Education Reporter Caitlin Emma.
"What will be interesting is to watch how much money will be requested for Title I in the Trump Administration," said Emma. "I think a lot of folks are watching that closely."
