I don’t always get political online because of the bad dialogue and vibes it often creates, but Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education is frightening. Here is a letter I wrote to my senators voicing my concern. It isn’t too late, if it concerns you as well, please contact your senators.
Dear Senator,
My name is Heather Gonzalez—I am a public school teacher, and a concerned citizen. I want to voice my apprehensions and ask you to vote no for Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education. Her lack of experience when it comes to public school is simply frightening. To become a certified teacher in the state of Utah, I had to attend a University for over four years, as well as pass a test. I had to prove that I was qualified so that I could be in charge of a classroom full of teenagers, and to teach them. I understand that DeVos has never attended a public school, her children never attended public school, and many of the people in her social circles have not attended public school either. If a teacher has to prove that they are capable to teach, shouldn’t the person who will be in charge of the entire educational system of the United States of America also prove that she is competent? As I watched portions of the Senate confirmation hearing this week, DeVos did not illustrate that she is knowledgeable about many facets of the education system.
When DeVos was asked a question about whether test scores should be used to measure proficiency or their growth, she was unaware of what this meant. She also did not show understanding when asked about Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). These issues are vital for the education system of the United States. DeVos should not be able to lead an administration when she doesn’t understand the basic difference between growth and proficiency, or IDEA because she, as Secretary of Education, would have to make important decisions about how to hold schools accountable. The person who holds that office needs to understand basic concepts about the education system.
We wouldn’t trust a doctor to operate on our children’s brains if they had not received the training. Why would we let someone who has no experience impact our children’s brains by leading the Department of Education of our nation? Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Our future is in the hands of the students, the students who are going to be affected by decisions made by the Secretary of Education. They will need that weapon of education so they can change the world in ways we can’t imagine. We need a candidate who has been in a classroom, who has experience to help them achieve that.
Additionally, the Secretary of Education is responsible for the student loan bank for higher education. During the hearing, Senator Elizabeth Warren asked her about how she would handle the duty of the student loan bank, and prevent fraud from occurring. DeVos did not seem know that there are already laws in place to do so. She also would not commit to following the laws already in place. She only said that they would “review” them. Laws are in place to protect the citizens. I don’t think reviewing the laws will be harmful, but she did not say how she would make sure that the money from the federal government would not be used fraudulently.
Some of DeVos’s stances could be good for education. DeVos is a proponent for choice when it comes to education. She wants to loosen the grip of the federal government on education. She is a supporter of school vouchers and charter schools. That is wonderful. Citizens should be able to choose where their children go to school, whether it be a charter, public, or private school. The issue that comes in here is that she says that she “supports accountability” when it comes to schools who receive federal funding, but she would not answer Senator Tim Kaine’s question during the hearing about whether she would “insist on equal accountability for any K-12 program.” I worry that funds that should be reaching the students in the classrooms of public schools may be siphoned away into charter schools that are not providing sufficient education to their students.
I know that I am not the only one with these and other concerns when it comes to Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education. I speak with fellow educators and parents. Please consider the consequences for the education system if she holds this office. It could be detrimental to the entire educational system of the United States. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Heather Gonzalez
The Subplots of Life 