President-elect Donald Trump stands with Betsy DeVos after a meeting at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Bedminster Township, N.J. on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday tapped billionaire Republican donor and school choice advocate Betsy DeVos to lead the U.S. Education Department, a post she has accepted.



DeVos, a Michigan native and former chair of the state's Republican Party, met with Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence on Saturday and discussed "the Common Core mission, and setting higher national standards and promoting the growth of school choice across the nation," according to a Trump transition team statement.



"I am honored to accept this responsibility to work with the President-elect on his vision to make American education great again," DeVos said. "The status quo in education is not acceptable."

DeVos described herself as an entrepreneur, and activist and a "total outsider to elective office and government." She said she is not a supporter of Common Core, but does support high standards, accountability and local control.

DeVos currently serves as chairman of the American Federation for Children, a non-profit organization with the mission of improving the U.S.'s K-12 education "by advancing systemic and sustainable public policy that empowers parents, particularly those in low-income families, to choose the education they determine is best for their children."



This story is developing. Please check back for updates.

—CNBC contributed to this report.

