When a teacher goes into a classroom they do not engage their learners by assuming that they are unintelligent and will not amount to anything. Any educator will tell you that student achievement comes, foremost, from the teacher’s confidence in the child’s success. The same thing must be said about politics. After review of the confirmation hearing of Betsy DeVos on January 17, 2017, I am confident that she could help the education of our children. People across the political spectrum will not agree to this stipulation however, it is important to note that to understand where America can go from here people must be nonpartisan and willing to discuss rather than argue. In her opening statement, DeVos stated, “I’m a firm believer that parents should be empowered to choose the learning environment that’s best for each of their individual children”. This statement has been amongst the largest controversies with the nominee. It is striking that this is a major issue people are holding against her, considering the current political movement across the country to give the people a voice. Along with school choice, she has been criticized about her educational background, charter schools, social status, organizational involvement, and her comments on the IDEA act or lack thereof.
Some politicians are worried over whether DeVos would undermine the public-school system with her ideas of school choice. Instead, one might look to senator Murray’s first session of questions where she asked DeVos if she believes that the Department of Education should strengthen public schools for all students, and she quickly agreed. However, Murray did follow-up by asking the nominee if she could commit to not privatizing education, where she responded by saying that she can only commit to working with everyone and finding ‘common ground’. There’s a scare of privatizing schools and that it is some monstrous way of destroying public schools. The reality is that school choice allows parents to decide if their public school meets the standards they see fit; in this way, if a public school is performing poorly, then local or state officials will respond with urgency and try to fix the system because they want children to attend their school. It creates competition amongst schools which is best because if there’s no competition, then officials end up putting educational reform on the backburner. A child’s education should always come first and if a public school is not meeting the needs of a child, they should have every right to choose where their needs can be met.
Charter schools can be great because they allow teachers to do their job: creating a curriculum that they believe will engage their students and achieve higher learning. Unlike public schools, charter schools are shut down when they reach a failing status instead of peddling children along a failing chain of education. It must also be noted that charter schools are not the almighty answer to the educational system, in fact, charter schools can become dangerous. While they give teachers the option to be much more creative than public school educators, charter schools might appoint a school board instead of electing one and hold meetings that are not open to the public. The privatization allows teachers access to a more creative curriculum, but it can also create a self-destruction and corrupt system. Ironically, public schools are already “privatized”; government officials get to decide how to run the system and where the money goes, and the taxpayer still pays for it, even if they send their child to a private school. The American people are already looking at a corrupt privatized institution which should encourage everyone to attempt to shift away from significant political control.
If one were to ask a millennial if they believe that college should be the only path to success, they’ll presumably say “no”. Mrs. DeVos does not believe college should be the only way either. In line with her advocacy in school choice, DeVos recognizes that technical and trade schools are an important educational institution. Students might find more success in agriculture or other trades and may be more inclined to attend a school that hones in on this rather than a public school which only prepares them for college. College is not the only path to success and DeVos’ recognition of this is refreshing. She also recognizes the fact that college is too expensive today. In questioning with senator Sanders, DeVos was asked if she would work with him and other colleagues to make public college free. To this question, DeVos responded, “we also have to consider the fact that there is nothing in life that is truly free, somebody is going to pay for it”. DeVos believes in affordable higher-education, but not entirely free because at the end of the day the money for those students will come from the taxpayer’s wallet.
It is troubling, though, to see Mrs. DeVos’ comments on the IDEA act. Senator Hassan asked if she would enforce the law that if a child has a disability and is given a voucher to another school, that the school must provide accommodation for the student and cannot turn them away because of the cost. With this, DeVos was unable to give a direct answer and seemed to veer the conversation continuously. Hassan attempted to bring attention back to the question, but it was never fully answered. It is troubling because if one is to be an advocate for school choice, then they also need to be an advocate for all schools providing necessary accommodations to all students, despite any disabilities. What is hopeful is the fact that the nominee consistently stated to numerous senators that she is willing to work together with both Democrats and Republicans on any and all issues. Hopefully, she recognizes that every student, including ones with disabilities, should have the opportunity to choose which school will give them the best education.
Overall, Betsy DeVos may be a fair secretary. She believes in innovation and creativity and in the freedom to decide one’s own path. Although she is also not an experienced teacher and is not completely updated on all of the tasks at hand as the Secretary of Education, DeVos has a bright vision for education. As long as she is committed to hearing from both sides of the isle, from current educators, from parents, and most importantly, from children, then she will make a fine secretary. What’s reassuring is hearing her say the following:
“When you take a step back and look at how we deliver education today, for the most part, it hasn’t changed significantly in a century and a half and yet the world has changed significantly”.
Mrs. DeVos may not have views that everyone agrees with, however, based on her confirmation hearing, it is clear that she will be open to all suggestions and that some of her stances that people did not enjoy might change. She is someone who can see the value and importance in every opinion and is someone who will attempt to find a compromise between both parties that benefits all children. What is important to remember here, is that we must first seek to understand, communicate, and work together before we try to push people out. We must retain a meaningful, well-thought-out, and communicative way to address our issues.
You can view the full confirmation hearing here
