Betsy DeVos Slams Connecticut High School; Students Fire Back

EAST HARTFORD, CT — Residents rallied on the front lawn of East Hartford High School Tuesday after Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos criticized the school, quoting an alleged former student who called it "nothing more than adult day care, a dangerous adult day care" in testimony she gave in support of President Donald Trump's proposed budget.

During her testimony, DeVos cited a meeting with a young man identified as a 2000 graduate named "Michael" whom she said claimed to have graduated with poor grades. She said Michael was a good student up until he reached high school and dealt with bullying issues.

"Even though he was failing his classes, the school simply passed him along from year to year giving him Ds and sending the not-so-subtle message that they didn't think Michael would amount to much," DeVos said during a 2018 budget request hearing.

During Gov. Dannel Malloy's press briefing at East Hartford High School Tuesday, state officials fired back at DeVos for her comments.

"It seems that Secretary DeVos forgot to do her [homework]," said Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman."I know she believes in choice, but I wish she would just choose another job."

The secretary used Michael's testimony to illustrate the need for choice in schooling options for students. Malloy said he did not oppose choice but opposed DeVos' methods of providing choice to parents.

"I don't mind choice, choice is a wonderful thing," said Malloy. "But you don't force choice by underfunding our urban school systems."

DeVos further stated that Michael had graduated with a degree but not an education. Five juniors at the school penned a letter to DeVos, inviting her to take a tour of the school in order to confirm their pride. The students cited numerous programs and benefits they have received during their time at the school.

"There are countless resources equipped to assist students in making crucial life decisions, and there is no deficit in the amount of faculty members who are invested in the futures of the students who make up East Hartford High School," wrote junior Jadah Daley.

Junior Tansim Islam, one of the five students in the letter, said he had taken $540 worth of AP exams but was able to pay just $30 thanks to assistance from the school.

"Without this necessary financial aid, EEHS and many of our state's schools would not be able to provide such low-cost programs that are crucial for helping their students earn a quality education," wrote Islam.

In a statement to NBC Connecticut, DeVos' press secretary Elizabeth Hill said Michael's experience should not represent the broader student population.

"For anyone to assert that Michael's individual story should be generalized to the broader student population is a symptom of the one-size-fits all status quo that too many continue to seek to defend," Hill told NBC Connecticut. "Michael is an individual student with an individual story to tell."

Image: U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos testifies during a hearing before a House committee on May 24. (Alex Wong/Getty Images News/Getty Images)