When Torin Hodgman, an eighth grader at Grand Rapids Public Museum School, learned that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos was visiting Hodgman's school today, Hodgman wanted to make a statement.

So this morning, as Hodgman got dressed for school, Hodgman grabbed a transgender pride flag and hooked it around Hodgman's neck so it hung off Hodgman's back like a cape.

And Hodgman - who identifies as "gender queer" and whose preferred pronoun is "they/them" - came prepared with a question: What is DeVos doing to ensure schools are safe learning environments for LGBT students and others who are questioning their gender identity?

Hodgman, 14, didn't get a chance to pose that question to DeVos during a roundtable discussion Tuesday morning.

But Hodgman is hopeful she recognized the flag - and what it stood for - and that she realizes that transgender students are a real presence in America's schools.

"Public schools are a place for all children," Hodgman said.

The Trump administration drew scrutiny in early 2017 when it rescinded Obama-era guidelines permitting transgender students to use restrooms that match their gender identity. DeVos said the issue should be decided at the local level. But LGBT advocates said the move was callous and didn't protect the rights of the LGBT community.

DeVos visited the museum school Tuesday to learn about its innovative approach to education. Launched in 2015, the school focuses on place-based learning and projects addressing real-world issues, such as the restoration of the Grand River.

Though Hodgman didn't get an opportunity to ask DeVos about transgender students, Hodgman is hopeful that over time she'll push for policies that promote safe learning environments for transgender students.

Hodgman feels safe and supported at the museum school. But Hodgman worries about students elsewhere.

A national survey by the National Center for Transgender Equality found that 75 percent of transgender students feel unsafe at school, and that "those who are able to persevere had significantly lower GPAs, were more likely to miss school out of concern for their safety, and were less likely to plan on continuing their education."

"Out of all LGBTQ ... and actually all teenagers, transgender and questioning people have a higher rate of suicide and deaths than anybody else," Hodgman said.

Correction: This story has been corrected to use Hodgman's preferred pronoun.