We need to diligently keep an eye on DeVos
With the recent confirmation of Betsy DeVos as the Secretary of Education, the slogan, “Democracy is not a Spectator Sport” is more relevant than ever. Educators and parents everywhere were exasperated at the confirmation of DeVos as Secretary of Education. And now we must watchdog her every move and hold her and the President accountable.
Public Education is the foundation of a vibrant and productive society and is of the utmost importance to all of us regardless of political affiliation or of which generation we happen to be. Our traditional public schools are open to all of our children while the private schools to which DeVos contributes and for which she constantly advocates often turn away certain groups of students, like special education children. Or, as in the case with Florida’s voucher program which DeVos touted in her hearing, if a parent accepts the state voucher and takes it to some private schools they are encouraged to give up their rights under IDEA, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Our public schools accept all students and strive to guide them so they can make as much progress as possible each and every year. So using public tax dollars to go to selective private schools that will not accept all children is totally out of bounds.
Lastly, DeVos comes from a small group of billionaires who have long funded the Republican Party. And she makes no attempt to deny that she expects massive returns on her hundreds of millions of dollars in support of conservative causes. Trump has given her the reward she has expected and so it is up to us to make sure she does not destroy the very foundation of our society, our public education system.
Robert Kennedy
Harrisville