[Berman:] In a last-minute move, the Obama administration is moving to increase funding at schools attended by low-income schools. It would move nearly a billion dollars to schools of families of low-income families and increase federal control of spending. The money could be diverted from budgets of more-affluent schools. The policy has its critics, including some Republicans. It appears the Education Department is pushing to get it through before noon on Friday before Donald Trump is sworn in. The woman chosen by the president-elect to take over the Department of Education is set to appear at her confirmation hearing this afternoon. Betsy DeVos is seen, by some, as a controversial choice. Critics are concerned about her lack of experience in public schools and her support for voucher and charter school programs. She has supported charter schools for a long time, charter public schools. In her opening public statement, she'll give, she says, "If confirmed I'll be a strong advocate for great public schools. But if a school is troubled or unsafe or not a good fit for a child, we should support a parents' right to enroll their child in a high-quality alternative." Joining me is a supporter of Betsy DeVos, Eva Moskowitz, the founder and CEO of Success Academy Charter Schools and a former New York City councilwoman. A very active person in this field. Thanks for being with us.
[Eva Moskowitz, Founder & Ceo, Success Academy Charter Schools & Former New York City Councilwoman:] Thanks for having me.
[Berman:] You voted for Hillary Clinton.
[Moskowitz:] I did.
[Berman:] Let's say that right now.
[Moskowitz:] I did.
[Berman:] You are supporting Betsy DeVos to be education secretary.
[Moskowitz:] I am.
[Berman:] Why?
[Moskowitz:] Because she is a leader. And we need transformational change. Two-thirds of our eighth graders cannot perform at the basic level in math and reading. Two-thirds of our eighth graders. We have a national crisis on our hands, and we need leadership, talent, ability to attract talent, to rethink our way out of this crisis.
[Berman:] Now critics say this. Critics say that Betsy DeVos is being appointed to run the agency which oversees public education. Yes, critics say, she wants to demolish public education in some ways. Take money away from traditional public schools. Provide vouchers, which would allow, in theory, people to spend public money, taxpayer money on private schools. What's your answer to that?
[Moskowitz:] I think whenever there's a nomination who has a strong ideas and viewpoints, a lot of scare tactics are used. The truth of the matter is that Betsy, like many Democrats, are supporters of charters and choice. And my belief and Betsy's life is just like more affluent parents or religious parents have a choice, why shouldn't every parent get to choose what is best for their children? I have three children. My husband and I want to make those choices for our children. Every parent in America wants to make those choices.
[Berman:] Do you see any limits to vouchers? Obviously, you support charter schools. There's a different between charter schools and vouchers.
[Moskowitz:] There is. And I believe we don't know what exactly is going to work for parents. I have three children. One school wouldn't work for all three of my children. So, we've got to have more great options, including improving district schools. In some communities, the district schools are great. And that's great. But in many communities, the district schools are not delivering for children, academically, they're also not safe places for children. And I think Betsy is going to be a strong advocate for quality.
[Berman:] Look, I think across political spectrums, people want to see safe schools. There's not much of a debate in terms of safety. The debate
[Moskowitz:] Except they've gone on and on and on being unsafe. And people have kind of turned a blind eye to those schools. I think she's going to shape things up. She's going to take her passion for schooling and parent choice and make a really significant difference for the country that's behind
[Berman:] The Michigan experiment. Many say that what happened in Michigan with charter schools she supported hasn't worked out all that well.
[Moskowitz:] You could take the schools right here in New York City. They're not doing so great. We have 90 percent of the schools not succeeding. Whose fault is that? I don't think you can blame one individual for the poor quality of schooling. This is a national problem. It cuts across socio economic lines, and we have to fix it fast.
[Berman:] Eva Moskowitz, thanks so much for being with us. I appreciate your insight on this discussion.
[Moskowitz:] Thanks for having me.
[Berman:] All right. According to the hour, right now, "put your big-boy pants on." That's a quote from the Republican lawmaker, Shawn Duffy to Democrats who are boycotting the inauguration. You are looking at live pictures of where that inauguration will be. One of the Democrats, who will not be there, will not be sitting on those steps on Friday, joins us live next.