The NAACP has released a statement officially opposing the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education.

In its statement, the organization says it opposes DeVos because of her lack of qualifications, her support of ineffective school voucher and tax credit systems, and her lack of commitment to educating all children and protecting them from "discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, disability, sex, where they live or their station in life."

"We are asking supporters and members to call and urge every Senator to oppose her confirmation," the NAACP said in its statement.

In the statement, it provides readers with a message to send to their senators via a phone call or e-mail that details why DeVos' confirmation should be opposed.

The message reads as follows:

THE MESSAGE:

• Over 90 percent of America's children attend public schools in our nation. We owe it to them and to our future to ensure they get the highest quality education possible, regardless of their race, ethnicity, language, disability, gender, sexual orientation, where they live, or station in life.
• Mrs. DeVos' sheer lack of qualifications or experience with public schools and her demonstrated lack of commitment to ensuring the ability of all students to receive an adequate education are alarming.
• Mrs. DeVos' background is in promoting school vouchers and tax credits to support private schools. These options have been proven to be ineffective for students, families, communities and taxpayers.
• DeVos has faced staunch opposition since being announced as Trump's education secretary pick, opposition that was only further fueled after a grueling three-hour-long hearing earlier this month.

To give you an idea of how staunch this opposition is: According to the National Education Association (NEA), over 1 million people have used an online form it offers to urge senators to oppose DeVos' confirmation in just three weeks. 

While the Democratic senators that make up the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee have said they will vote no during DeVos' confirmation on January 31, no Republican senator has suggested they will vote against her nomination, indicating DeVos is likely to be confirmed, says The Washington Post.

Nicole Gorman, Senior Education World Contributor

1/26/2017