Let me school you, Mrs. DeVos
In her Senate hearing, DeVos stated that she believes states should hold the authority to determine whether or not schools should carry guns for safety purpose. She cited a school in Wyoming that probably possessed a gun “to protect from potential grizzlies.”
January 26, 2017
American educators and students alike should prepare to duck and cover under their desks with the possible confirmation of Secretary of Education nominee, Betsy DeVos.
DeVos never attended public school during her time in the education system, displaying her detachment from the majority of American students. President Trump’s nominee for the smallest cabinet-level department clearly prefers private and charter schools over their public counterparts, and her schooling policies demonstrate her lack of comprehension that public schools do not fit the private school mold. Additionally, all of DeVos’ children studied in private institutions which indicates a lack of vested interest in the lives of millions of students.
Furthermore, DeVos holds no certification in education, and she possesses no experience as a teacher. Not only does the Department of Education oversee America’s schools, but it also manages the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other national collegiate financial programs. The only knowledge that DeVos harbors regarding monetary actions consists of privatizing public schools. This proves her lack of qualifications for the role of Secretary of Education.
DeVos’ stance on certain hot topic issues, including allowing guns in schools for security purposes and possibly cutting the national education budget, contradicts the stated goals of the Education Department.
“Our mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access,” the Department of Education said.
Many people across the nation question why DeVos received Trump’s nomination for a position she cannot fill effectively. In reality, DeVos’ family supports the Republican party with heavy financial donations (an expected amount of $200 million), and, with limited roles in education-based organizations, Trump believes she will hold this office in his best interest. However, Trump’s plans include decreasing the size of the Education Department which limits DeVos to a figurehead, or yes man, under his administration. Acting as a puppet, DeVos would damage the already fractured schooling structure by enabling Trump’s call to scrap her designated agency.
The American education system lies in need of repair. The next Secretary of Education must prepare themselves with the proper tools for the daunting job. America’s schools demand the leadership of someone who will improve their current conditions by working collaboratively with teachers and personally understanding the struggles of today’s students. DeVos cannot do this.
To contact Georgia’s senator and US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions member, Johnny Isakson, call (202)224-3643 or email him.
Noam D. Bloom • Feb 4, 2017 at 2:31 PM
Of all the pointless buzzwords thrown around in American politics, “fixing the schools” has got to take the cake as both the most grossly overused and the most ridiculously ineffectual. With each new arrival of America’s quadrennial circus (the only circus in town since the vegans shut down Ringling), candidates for president or governor vow , with all the sacred intention to keep it of a Hollywood actor in his seventh marriage ceremony, that they will “repair” our “failing schools.” No one’s quite sure how they’ll do it, but it seems to bear something in common with casting out demons or turning water into wine. Messrs. Bush (the younger) and Obama both attempted something like this; both attempts failed in doing anything but giving teachers migraines.
President Trump was remarkably silent on this during the campaign, presumably because he was more focused on such vitally important issues as the dangers posed to law-abiding Americans by impoverished Mexican fruit pickers and, of course, the relative yuugeness of his own hands. I am usually the last person in the world to applaud Donald Trump, but in this case I call for a standing “Bravissimo!” No Child Left Behind, Common Core, and Race to the Top (did anyone outside the field of education even notice Race to the Top?) have made it abundantly clear that no amount of federal funding or involvement can make America’s schools great again. He did on occasion, presumably in order to get votes from Republican PTA moms, float the idea of rolling back Common Core, which is probably a good idea. However, while Republicans have proven very good at blocking Democrats’ ideas (even the good ones), they have shown themselves to be remarkably incapable of actually repealing anything once passed without creating a state of chaos.
I’m not a massive fan of DeVos-style school privatization, and her former support of Common Core makes me suspicious of her judgment. And Mr, Gasparini’s points are well-made, if often incomplete. I would much rather have seen a Secretary whose main focus was on local-control issues, which I consider most important, than one seemingly obsessed, as Mrs. DeVos is, with charter schools and vouchers. But so long as Trump will, as you say, significantly diminish the federal Department’s role, I am, if not a happy camper, at least a reasonably satisfied one.