Betsy DeVos Cites Grizzly Bears During Guns-in-Schools Debate. Great, now kids will need even bigger backpacks.
5
What is this heading supposed to be? Partisan? Seriously?
A better headline might read "DeVos mews, murmurs and 'demures' way through hearing"
A better headline might read "DeVos mews, murmurs and 'demures' way through hearing"
12
The term 'debate' implies an equivalency that was not present. It was a hearing and it continued to be a hearing where she was challenged to prove why she was qualified.
She was not even well informed enough to have a stance on many of the issues affecting education and educators in our country, so Partisan isn't a wise choice in words either.
She was not even well informed enough to have a stance on many of the issues affecting education and educators in our country, so Partisan isn't a wise choice in words either.
21
Mrs. DeVos is not a leader. She is a donator who was rewarded.
The fact is that in poverty stricken areas, vouchers benefit only those children whose parents are pro-active and move their children to a private or charter school. Those stories are great. But the result is a greater divide in education outcomes because children from single family or irresponsible households simply stay behind and wallow in the public schools becoming less great until they drop out. The answer is making ALL public schools better, not creating further inequality and disbanding the Dept. of Education, which is Trump's unstated objective here, along with EPA, Labor, etc.
The fact is that in poverty stricken areas, vouchers benefit only those children whose parents are pro-active and move their children to a private or charter school. Those stories are great. But the result is a greater divide in education outcomes because children from single family or irresponsible households simply stay behind and wallow in the public schools becoming less great until they drop out. The answer is making ALL public schools better, not creating further inequality and disbanding the Dept. of Education, which is Trump's unstated objective here, along with EPA, Labor, etc.
25
I grew up in Michigan, near Grand Rapids. Ada, the town where Amway was founded by the DeVos family and the Van Andel family, is also very near Grand Rapids, in Western Michigan. Both families have been philanthropic in some ways, but both are deeply Christian Reform Church members. In my small town, there was a Christian Reform grade school, and eventually a high school as well. People who belong to this church attend these schools most of the time, and they are not really in the larger community very much until they go to work or to college. Grand Rapids is also the location of Calvin College, the only four-year Christian Reform college. Calvin is actually a very good school, well-accredited. But it too has a clear point of view, and offers another place for church members to stay away from the larger culture around them. So Mrs. DeVos has a background and upbringing that points her toward a focus on non-public education, and was probably not raised with anyone much different from herself, at least through high school. Then she married into one of the most influential, wealthiest, best-known families in her state, so she is widely heard.
I don't believe she has any idea of what public education does, and what it means to the rest of the students in the US. She just wants no public federal anything. The idea that every state can have its own education system creates the terrible discrepancies of opportunity that led to federal standards.
I don't believe she has any idea of what public education does, and what it means to the rest of the students in the US. She just wants no public federal anything. The idea that every state can have its own education system creates the terrible discrepancies of opportunity that led to federal standards.
29
There is a philosophical problem with many of Trump's nominees -- they want to privatize essential public services. Our health care system has been a primarily private system (excluding Medicare) and it has not worked efficiently to serve the public. Until the ACA, it covered only those insurance companies wanted to cover. Now imagine doing the same thing for public education. And transportation. Trump and the Republicans have completely lost sight of the common good, which has to be the foundation of a democracy.
14
'Partisan' is not accurate. NYTIMES, I subscribed to you the day after the election because I wanted to support Journalism that is just that - Journalism. I'll find somewhere else to support journalism if this is what you consider a fair headline.
8
So much for the myth that rich people are successful because they understand how the world works. So far, Trump and every one of his billionaire cohorts have proved exactly how uninformed and ignorant they are as to the nuts and bolts of public policy. It seems that the people most in favor or dismantling federal government, oversight, and regulation are the people who know the least about it.
22
Or, as in the case of DeVos, a rich person is rich by "virtue" of being beneficiary and heir to two fortunes -
Ed Prince's and the DeVos family's. No compelling "bootstraps" story there, at least not in her case in particular. She and her husband have innumerable business interests and investments, but many people who start with billions in backing can quite easily invest in whatever they please.
Ed Prince's and the DeVos family's. No compelling "bootstraps" story there, at least not in her case in particular. She and her husband have innumerable business interests and investments, but many people who start with billions in backing can quite easily invest in whatever they please.
14
People who profit off of ignorance are fighting to undermine the principle of investing in the future of our country through education.
11
Questioning her (obvious lack of) understanding on basic policy matters that would face the department is not partisan. It is what any thinking person should do. To couch it in faux-even handed weasel words like "partisan" is an example of how toothless and useless the NYT has become. I'm canceling my subscription immediately.
16
The countries with the best school systems, as far as I know, have national standards, quite consistent quality, let the teachers teach, and treat their teachers well in terms of pay and respect and training.
11
Do they also have tenure?
3
How to improve educational outcomes in the U.S.? Put away the cellphone, turn-off the TV, and read books. Now if we could only get Trump to do that.
11
Separate is not equal.
Having states decide whether to enforce IDEA creates inequality in learning for children of special needs of different states.
Having states decide whether to enforce IDEA creates inequality in learning for children of special needs of different states.
14
The Trump Transition motto is NOT "Drain The Swamp" but "Make the Swamp Greater, Again and Again.
If precedent had been followed, Betsy De Vos would not have gotten a Senate hearing until her ethics disclosures. substantial for a person her wealth, were in hand but the usually scrupulous Chairman Lamar Alexander, whom I admire, rolled over for the Trump transition. I don't imagine we can expect the far less scrupulous Mitch McConnell to delay a floor vote so Americans may know the full extent of her conflicts of interests.
Still, what we know about DeVos, Tom Price, Pruitt and the OMB guy suggests that all are walking conflicts of interest, who in more honest times would have withdrawn of their own volition or, if necessary, gotten the hook from the new administration. Price's explanation -- he hadn't done anything illegal, which may be true, in profiting via the stock market from his legislation is laughable, showing just how loose the Republican Congress' morals have become.
When these people are confirmed, as seems likely, the Great Dismal Swamp of Washington will smell worse. particularly when compared to an Obama administration which has been remarkably free of scandal, as even Republicans admit.
If precedent had been followed, Betsy De Vos would not have gotten a Senate hearing until her ethics disclosures. substantial for a person her wealth, were in hand but the usually scrupulous Chairman Lamar Alexander, whom I admire, rolled over for the Trump transition. I don't imagine we can expect the far less scrupulous Mitch McConnell to delay a floor vote so Americans may know the full extent of her conflicts of interests.
Still, what we know about DeVos, Tom Price, Pruitt and the OMB guy suggests that all are walking conflicts of interest, who in more honest times would have withdrawn of their own volition or, if necessary, gotten the hook from the new administration. Price's explanation -- he hadn't done anything illegal, which may be true, in profiting via the stock market from his legislation is laughable, showing just how loose the Republican Congress' morals have become.
When these people are confirmed, as seems likely, the Great Dismal Swamp of Washington will smell worse. particularly when compared to an Obama administration which has been remarkably free of scandal, as even Republicans admit.
10
Charters and vouchers are meant to enable those with means to put their children into "gated schools" and abandon public schools. The voucher system will ultimately be parlayed into eliminating public taxes dedicated to schools.
Once again, the "I don't want to pay for other people" crowd lines up the pegs needed to reduce their taxes. Strategic scams.
Once again, the "I don't want to pay for other people" crowd lines up the pegs needed to reduce their taxes. Strategic scams.
22
Betsy smirked and was smug and evasive
Clearly she detests the agency she is appointed to run and wants to destroy it.
Clearly she detests the agency she is appointed to run and wants to destroy it.
12
Policy without accountability and real metrics is just fraud
4
There should be a movie short: "Girls, Guns, and Grizzlies." Ms. DeVos and Sarah Palin could share the starring roles, with advertisers fighting over whose hunting gear is displayed. There could be a backdrop with the bears surrounding a school.
9
Ms. DeVos and others have said they will be taking $1 salaries.
I am sick of hearing this and furious that not only is no one questioning it, but that it is even allowed! It is a total smoke screen and just one more way they seek to absolve themselves of public accountability. On top of that they know it may shield them from closer scrutiny of their finances going forward.
The idea that all these total outsider super-rich people will now also have governmental power is mortifying.
I am sick of hearing this and furious that not only is no one questioning it, but that it is even allowed! It is a total smoke screen and just one more way they seek to absolve themselves of public accountability. On top of that they know it may shield them from closer scrutiny of their finances going forward.
The idea that all these total outsider super-rich people will now also have governmental power is mortifying.
9
It's a common and longstanding strategy to get religion into public schools. The latest tactic is to give federal money to religious schools thinly disguised as charters.
It should be a thrilling ride down this slippery slope when Islamic schools decide to sidle up to the through of cash. I can hear the howls now...madrasas! Sharia law!
It should be a thrilling ride down this slippery slope when Islamic schools decide to sidle up to the through of cash. I can hear the howls now...madrasas! Sharia law!
10
I'm sick of the narrative that our public schools are failing. Anyone who has studied this issue seriously knows what the problem is. It's poverty. Why does Denmark or Finland have better 'average' results?
They don't have vouchers.
They have less income inequality, more social safety nets, fewer marginalized immigrants, universal healthcare.
We have great schools and the most talented students in the world. Don't let 'averages' distract from the real problem. Vouchers are basically another tax break for the rich, and will create a for profit education system wherein the 'best' schools will compete for the best, and richest students. The parents who already send their kids to private schools will funnel money away from the public schools.
They don't have vouchers.
They have less income inequality, more social safety nets, fewer marginalized immigrants, universal healthcare.
We have great schools and the most talented students in the world. Don't let 'averages' distract from the real problem. Vouchers are basically another tax break for the rich, and will create a for profit education system wherein the 'best' schools will compete for the best, and richest students. The parents who already send their kids to private schools will funnel money away from the public schools.
19
The president’s edu/secy of the USA thinks it’s fine to use public money for religious schools? So church/state separation is a joke? Why is it that countries that have had actual state religions now keep church and state more separate in politics than the US?
What the US shows the world is that we can distort our admired constitution to mean whatever you want----per what’s advantageous for the elites---in the world’s greatest democracy.
Such as billionaire campaign finance is simply an expression of 1st amendment Free Speech, and public money for religious schools proves we don’t ‘discriminate’ against any religion. And Equal Protection of the laws is just a slogan.
What the US shows the world is that we can distort our admired constitution to mean whatever you want----per what’s advantageous for the elites---in the world’s greatest democracy.
Such as billionaire campaign finance is simply an expression of 1st amendment Free Speech, and public money for religious schools proves we don’t ‘discriminate’ against any religion. And Equal Protection of the laws is just a slogan.
6
So vote against her already, you cowards. I will never vote for a member of Congress who will let through such a profoundly unqualified, politicized candidate.
20
Please keep your promise at the next midterms. I think it's time for the Democratic voters to use the primaries to eliminate the weak and complacent politicians from the party. The right get the politicians they want by the same system. We need people who will stand up and be heard.
5
Do we recognize the need for common sense?
-- The fact that language is based on our ability to recognize common experiences as the basis for shared meaning in language.
Our government depends on having freely elected representatives who communicate with constituents to recognize problems & concerns, and then work with colleagues to do something about problems -- not enlarge them.
A decade ago, I met a Realtor who sold $500,000 homes and wrapped herself in luxury. She disdained those who weren't content with minimum wage jobs. She said she worked hard in her life and knew what it was like to work for minimum wage. Yep, she'd worked for minimum wage in a school library while attending college.
That's the wrong person to be a representative.
When someone says they are homeless & hungry, or a is child is scared, what does it mean?
Perhaps their family home was lost to a pension fund raid -- not gambling. Maybe their erratic behavior is due to the odd appearance and taste of their drinking water. Or the fear is because someone they cared about was shot in a street -- by police.
Maybe they've also learned they shouldn't speak out against injustice.
Schools need to teach citizenship and local government so they have a foundation upon which they can contribute to a better community.
One hundred years ago, on March 8th, Russia learned the consequences of being ruled by an aristocratic elite who had little understanding of the people who comprised their country.
-- The fact that language is based on our ability to recognize common experiences as the basis for shared meaning in language.
Our government depends on having freely elected representatives who communicate with constituents to recognize problems & concerns, and then work with colleagues to do something about problems -- not enlarge them.
A decade ago, I met a Realtor who sold $500,000 homes and wrapped herself in luxury. She disdained those who weren't content with minimum wage jobs. She said she worked hard in her life and knew what it was like to work for minimum wage. Yep, she'd worked for minimum wage in a school library while attending college.
That's the wrong person to be a representative.
When someone says they are homeless & hungry, or a is child is scared, what does it mean?
Perhaps their family home was lost to a pension fund raid -- not gambling. Maybe their erratic behavior is due to the odd appearance and taste of their drinking water. Or the fear is because someone they cared about was shot in a street -- by police.
Maybe they've also learned they shouldn't speak out against injustice.
Schools need to teach citizenship and local government so they have a foundation upon which they can contribute to a better community.
One hundred years ago, on March 8th, Russia learned the consequences of being ruled by an aristocratic elite who had little understanding of the people who comprised their country.
12
Vouchers for Trump University!
Now that's a stroke of genius!
Now that's a stroke of genius!
13
What we have is a fanatical fundamentalist, committed to defying separation of church and state using the veil of charter schools. This radical Christian fundamentalist wants to, in effect, establish a network of Christian madrassas and allow underperforming poor students to be cast off to an underfunded public school system. The Amway aspects of this woman's policies in Michigan should not be ignored. This is a scheme to support the two things she uses as a foundation for life: the idea that capitalism can cure anything (and look how well that was worked), and that what capitalism can't perfect, Christianity can. Trump continues to build the foundation of his own ruin. Who will he blame when his policies and hand-chosen "leaders" self-immolate? The media, no doubt, and "dark forces". But hopefully the 2018 elections will restore sanity to government that can at least attempt to remediate the efforts this psychopath is making to place lunatics like this woman in national positions of power.
9
These unqualified ideology driven people emphasize the destruction and lack of confidence we have in the Republican government. It would not matter if a conservative were nominated if they had experience and expertise and no self interests and were willing to evaluate allm ideas on the facts.
We do not have this in almost all of the nominees. The way these committees are protecting the candidate makes the whole process a sham.
We do not have this in almost all of the nominees. The way these committees are protecting the candidate makes the whole process a sham.
9
Since Brown v The Board of Education the Republicans have been attempting to roll back desegregated schools systems and they have found the answer - Betsy DeVos. Recently the school systems in the US have re-segregated and now Ms. DeVos is attempting to sell this re-segregation policy as "school choice" as long as the school is charter, private and religious taking tax payers money to fund their bottom line. What no one will talk about is the desegregation polices for public schools worked. Children from poor backgrounds educated with middle class children did better and the middle class students didn't loose any ground. Often everyone excelled in public schools when they were desegregated. The reason is obvious the desegregated public schools got the necessary equal property tax funding which helped all students. The Trump and the Republicans are so enthusiastic since this candidate offers the biggest racists scam policies wrapped in profits for private educational corporations paid for by the tax payers.
9
Trumpf’s pick is a predator, given legalized access to exploit one of the most crucial components of any democracy —education. Her evasions to committee questions showed her lack of responsibility to the public good.
Education determines economic/social class equality, and is the means for citizens to evaluate those asking for our votes to represent our interests. We’ve seen a failure in our downward mobility vs other nations today. And now in the election of an incipient dictator to lead what was once the greatest democracy with the strongest middle class.
Now this once strong democracy will get an edu/ secy out to plunder the system for profit, and disguise this in pious marketing slogans about choice and freedom. At least the dukes and Kings of the old royal systems didn't have to bother with vote-getting propaganda!
She’s given that access by a predator president, who had to pay 25 million to the cheated, exploited students of Trump U. That lawsuit was given little media coverage compared to its importance, and its warning.
Education determines economic/social class equality, and is the means for citizens to evaluate those asking for our votes to represent our interests. We’ve seen a failure in our downward mobility vs other nations today. And now in the election of an incipient dictator to lead what was once the greatest democracy with the strongest middle class.
Now this once strong democracy will get an edu/ secy out to plunder the system for profit, and disguise this in pious marketing slogans about choice and freedom. At least the dukes and Kings of the old royal systems didn't have to bother with vote-getting propaganda!
She’s given that access by a predator president, who had to pay 25 million to the cheated, exploited students of Trump U. That lawsuit was given little media coverage compared to its importance, and its warning.
11
I teach public but send my kids to religious school I'm affiliated with. This is my choice as a parent. It is not financially easy. I myself attended public school and colleges which afforded many opportunites. Exposure to cultural experiences, field trips, extracurricular activities and the opportunity to develop my talents and abilities under the watchful eye of caring, capable adults. All of this was achieved without over emphasis on testing. By the way, it is my uderstanding that the heavy emphasis on testing does not exist in many private or religious schools. Furthermore, the over emphasis on testing robs students of a more wholesome educational experience where children are seen as whole people, not statistical data and their physical, emptional, social and even spiritual needs and development are addressed.
Many schools will take whoever to receive government funding but not all. A reputable school will want to maintain its standing and reputation. They may not want to accept or have the resources to service students with disabilities or whose first language is not English. There are also students who are transitory and their families may have to move around. There is a lot much to be said for attending community school. We live in a highly segregated society and public education is one of the best ways people have to integrate society at large through interacting on different levels with others not just like you.
Many schools will take whoever to receive government funding but not all. A reputable school will want to maintain its standing and reputation. They may not want to accept or have the resources to service students with disabilities or whose first language is not English. There are also students who are transitory and their families may have to move around. There is a lot much to be said for attending community school. We live in a highly segregated society and public education is one of the best ways people have to integrate society at large through interacting on different levels with others not just like you.
9
What is President-Elect selection of his cabinets - hire those people who dumber than him. He has already proven himself that his knowledge comes from watching TV.
Can we expect anything better from DeVos or Rex or Carson? Wishful thinking...
Let us hope corporate America and citizens of our dear country held these people accountable when Trump will not. He is too busy typing on tweeter.
Can we expect anything better from DeVos or Rex or Carson? Wishful thinking...
Let us hope corporate America and citizens of our dear country held these people accountable when Trump will not. He is too busy typing on tweeter.
8
Federal $$ already go to parochial schools in the forms of various grants. But more to the point, fine, have vouchers and require that all students in all schools take state tests. IMO frankly age/grade appropriate (gov. approved) educational programs should be on the WEB for all to access. And can we please leave creationism out of it. Perhaps, supplemental reading materials can also be provided for those who want to make use of them. And it would be great if schools would keep reading programs long enough (ten years?) for teachers to master them and the necessary books acquired.
PS. maybe we do spend too much on all kinds of personnel in public schools. I think so.
PS. maybe we do spend too much on all kinds of personnel in public schools. I think so.
1
She is breathtakingly unqualified and corrupt. What does this have to do with partisanship?
14
and who suffer the most from this "making america great for (the rich people only)"? indeed, mostly Trump voters.
6
But this is the nominee from a president to be who is a predator---he had to pay 25m in the lawsuit of Trump U brought by students he cheated. How could such a person be elected pres? How could the US be faced with his atrocious nominees who are predators, out to exploit the govt and the American people for their profit?
And the Times just calls the hearing 'partisan' in the headline--the better not to offend anyone?
It was great to see the unusually aggressive questioning by democrats-- they didn't care if they offended anyone--they were trying to do their job protecting we the people against predators dominating the govt. .
And the Times just calls the hearing 'partisan' in the headline--the better not to offend anyone?
It was great to see the unusually aggressive questioning by democrats-- they didn't care if they offended anyone--they were trying to do their job protecting we the people against predators dominating the govt. .
8
Some of the greatest minds and leaders of the USA were educated in public schools. The public school system has been the bedrock of education so what we have from the Republicans is their continual war against public schools. What they want is an ignorant electorate incapable of telling whether politicians are telling the truth. They have a history of this campaign.
7
What does parent choice really mean? At a well-funded public school, students have many choices. I can't help but suspect that choice is really a code word for avoiding supposed liberal indoctrination like science, evolution, and critical thinking.
9
"'So you have no personal experience with college financial aid?' Ms. Warren asked."
Ms. Warren was paid in excess of $300,000/year to teach a single class at Harvard Law that met 2-3 times/week. Limousine Liberal Elitest Hypocrite.
Ms. Warren was paid in excess of $300,000/year to teach a single class at Harvard Law that met 2-3 times/week. Limousine Liberal Elitest Hypocrite.
2
What does this have to do with anything? Just because she taught a class at Harvard and was well compensated for it says nothing about her familiarity with student loans herself.
7
Given her absolute lack of qualifications, I'm mystified as to why she would even accept the nomination. Is there an ulterior motive? Is she so arrogant as to think she can just figure it out on the fly? That the Education department and community will follow her anywhere? She seems like a nice lady, but this is highly dubious.
6
She doesn't know what she doesn't know, AND she has an ulterior motive. Bad combination.
3
As a former teacher... a parent of two very bright and successful public school graduates... and as a retiree from 30+ years in corporate management, I am appalled. Most of the Cabinet choices of this Administration are beyond ludicrous. The average school teacher- or even parent- probably knows more about public education than this woman. And while it's true that you don't need to be a subject matter expert in everything in order to lead, you should have mastered the fundamentals of the 'industry' that you are leading. I was OK with the general concept of school choice- until I saw how that was implemented by Republicans. An absolute foundational requirement must be that ALL schools that use federal funds have the same accountabilities. Women like DeVos want to divert my tax dollars to further her own goals of promoting religion. If there are going to be standards for teachers, students and schools, it must apply to all. If religious schools want to operate in their own world, then let their religious institutions fund them. Charter schools, unfortunately, do little better than public schools in poor districts- and they do it with less oversight and the ability to 'bounce' kids with issues. This country needs to wake up to the fact that public schools can't become the schools of last resort and then compete on an uneven playing field.
15
Choice works...within the public school sector! School districts need to meet the greater individual student needs and foster greater professional autonomy and growth by promoting curricular choice within and across our districts. When students and their families and their teachers have a decisive stake in learning and teaching, true stakeholder pride prompts investment and challenge for all parties involved; whereas boxed and packaged learning to a conscripted body is much more likely to foster rote knowledge and passive allegiance. Don't drain the dollars from our current systems; invest the dollars in renewal from within and cultivate engagement. I have been most fortunate to teach (and learn) for the past twenty years in a public school "choice" curriculum, MWCSD's ECO Program! It is successful due to the element of choice and the student, family, and teacher commitment that it follows and calls forth in the four c's that drive learning: choice, curriculum, commitment, and community.
5
There is no room in public education for the profit motive. Charter schools, such as those espoused by this nominee have done nothing for Michigan. But the profit has been fine for the owners of those companie. She has done nothing to advance education there but has been successful in exploiting the poor and under-served areas in Michigan that need more, not less funding for real, quality public education. Without any actual experience and a religious conservative agenda that has no place in public education she now wants a national perch to wreck education in more areas of the country and further enrich for profit charters. Even if your credo is "Make America Great Again" doesn't that mean great public education? There were no vouchers in the past. And there were no for profit charters either. Public funding should never be privatized this way. We already know that it failed. But improving education is not the motivating factor for her appointment. Not with this background.
17
Many average Republicans say "Yeah, I would love to take my school tax dollars and put that money towards a better school for my kids". What the don't realize is many of these schools are of much higher cost. However, the wealthy love this idea because of 10k of my taxes is school tax, that just means a 10k discount on tuition to my child's school. Education should be improved, not limited to a few who can afford it.
14
Ms. DeVos's claim that it was time to move away from a "one size fits all" educational system attacks the very idea of education in a democracy. Since the 19th century, American education has been built on the idea of the "common school", a school and system where children would be taught a common curriculum, and would get to know one another, regardless of their background and social class. That was considered the best way to unite people who came from every country to form a United States of America. Now, when our country is in peril of fracturing along economic and social cleavages, it is necessary to strengthen the tradition of the public common school and to oppose those who would weaken it.
13
A significant portion of the American people are stupid enough to elect a notoriously louche, racist, misogynistic con-man to the White House. Ms. DeVos will dismantle public education and replace it with corporate for-profit Christian Sharia indoctrination centers to ensure ALL American children will grow up to be as ignorant and bigoted as Trump supporters.
11
Like Trump himself, and nearly all of his appointees, she is unfit and completely unqualified for the position.
Trump seems determined to take the country to new lows across the board...and this is simply another travesty.
Trump seems determined to take the country to new lows across the board...and this is simply another travesty.
10
Talk about parents and students choice is cheap. DeVos was put there to gut public schools and teacher unions, and to move taxpayer dollars to private and religious schools. She is committed to getting the job done. It has been her passion for a long time, and she has been manipulating the democratic process with her "donations" to this end for a long time. Charter schools in Michigan have less success that traditional public schools. Students and parents do not want them. It is private corporate interests are pushing charters, not students and parents.
5
The Amway heiress has been trying for some time to divert taxpayers' money into religious schools. If she is appointed, we can expect more of this diversion at the state level, and foot-dragging at the federal level when it comes to enforcing the laws separating church and state.
In the small town in New Jersey where I used to live, about a third of the school budget went to special education, where accomodations had to be made for children with learning disabilities of one form or another, so that roughly a third of the budget was spent on 10% of the students. One can debate the merits of IDEA and the other federal laws that mandate this spending, but it greatly helps the parents' mobility to have the same standards for their children's education in areas they might seek to move to, and that school psychologists must be secular professionals with accepted credentials. It's good for the children too, of course, but it's the parents that decide where they live and go to school.
Unfortunately, the religious approach to learning disabilities is problematic, to say the least. Beatings for dyslexia, public shaming for autism, prayer to drive out the devil that must (in the believer's view) lie at the root of children's oppositional behavior. So a retreat from secular public education will likely mean an increase in abusive behavior towards these children, and a decrease in the ability of parents to do anything about it. This cannot be a good thing.
In the small town in New Jersey where I used to live, about a third of the school budget went to special education, where accomodations had to be made for children with learning disabilities of one form or another, so that roughly a third of the budget was spent on 10% of the students. One can debate the merits of IDEA and the other federal laws that mandate this spending, but it greatly helps the parents' mobility to have the same standards for their children's education in areas they might seek to move to, and that school psychologists must be secular professionals with accepted credentials. It's good for the children too, of course, but it's the parents that decide where they live and go to school.
Unfortunately, the religious approach to learning disabilities is problematic, to say the least. Beatings for dyslexia, public shaming for autism, prayer to drive out the devil that must (in the believer's view) lie at the root of children's oppositional behavior. So a retreat from secular public education will likely mean an increase in abusive behavior towards these children, and a decrease in the ability of parents to do anything about it. This cannot be a good thing.
7
I don't want my taxes to go to charter schools. Not sure how to stop this non-sense.
11
Not a Trump fan....that being said, I have been both a public school teacher and an Asst. Principal in Title I schools....many extra Federal funds provided for students on free and reduced lunch. Vast amount of funds being spent and schools still failing. Educators are stressed over one teacher assessment after another. It is not working unless parent involvement is available, dedication from the family and follow-up from educators, counselors and administration. The real question is "What is best for the student?" Little consequences exist for high-level, inappropriate actions of students and teachers' hands are tied. Parents often enable their children and schools are frustrated. Should parents have a choice where they send their children? Are students willing to abide by charter schools' rules or will they simply be transferred back to the public school/dumping ground? DeVos needs to speak with educators and understand the big picture before making any structural changes.
4
There is a fundamental difference between allowing pubic schools to utilize different methods of teaching students and allowing them to violate federal laws. The Obama administration did not seem to recognize the difference as Secretaries Duncan and King allowed charter schools to violate federal laws in the way students with disabilities were punished for there disabilities and suspended more than allowed by law in order to force parents to leave those charters. The NY Times, in its reporting on the Success Academies, proved this to be the case. The BASIS charter chain in Arizona has done much the same things. It is almost certain that Ms. DeVos has absolutely no intention of requiring all schools that take federal money to either follow federal laws or the US Constitution. Any US Senator who votes to confirm her should be held accountable if she enables private or charter schools to engage in illegal or unconstitutional behavior.
3
Lamar Alexander was an early mover in the campaign to let business entrepreneurs take over public schools and prisons. He actually got a big windfall on the prison deal. There's precious little evidence that for-profit corporations do a better job or save anyone money, but, hey, it's the GOP line.
8
Betsy Vos is sister to Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater. He also believes in privatization, of the military. In fact he's a mercenary who is cultivating contracts with China.
11
1 - Parents need to take responsibility for their child. Too many parents send their kid to school and expect the teachers to show those kids manners, respect, etc. That's a parent's job. If a parent doesn't respect people or teachers, then the students won't either.
2 - Socioeconomic issues are at play. Inner-city / low income cities have high children per classroom.
A - Teachers are underpaid, due to the state not thinking teaching is important enough to pay them more than $50k a year. (
B - States with the highest education record have teacher unions, which by the way, have the best paid teachers. (There's a correlation between good teachers, good education, and good pay.)
C - If you pay teachers based on test scores or student scores, then no teacher will want to teach inner city / low income / ESL kids because generally, they score the least.
D - When you have the issue in C, you then have lowest quality teachers trying to just get their foot in the door for a job teaching kids, which exasperates the problem of kids NOT getting the education they need.
Teachers need to get paid for their value to the system.
2 - Socioeconomic issues are at play. Inner-city / low income cities have high children per classroom.
A - Teachers are underpaid, due to the state not thinking teaching is important enough to pay them more than $50k a year. (
B - States with the highest education record have teacher unions, which by the way, have the best paid teachers. (There's a correlation between good teachers, good education, and good pay.)
C - If you pay teachers based on test scores or student scores, then no teacher will want to teach inner city / low income / ESL kids because generally, they score the least.
D - When you have the issue in C, you then have lowest quality teachers trying to just get their foot in the door for a job teaching kids, which exasperates the problem of kids NOT getting the education they need.
Teachers need to get paid for their value to the system.
7
All true, but she isn't the one to fix it.
5
This woman is as qualified to head the Dept. of Education as Vladimir's Puppet is to head our country. The woman should be discarded.
6
NYT: can you please write about the campaign donations that the sentators at her confirmation hearing received? Did any of them recuse themselves?
6
She's a liar and a fraud.
In addition to being completely unqualified and apparently not all that bright.
She wants tax money to partially subsidize rich kids' tuition at schools the poor parents she keeps talking about STILL WON'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD EVEN WITH VOUCHERS.
I have some empathy for the desperate low-income voters Trump bamboozled into voting for him by convincing them that HRC shared all his glaring faults and claims that he'd "drain the swamp" and "bring the jobs back." What's discouraging is watching so many of them clearly trying hard to justify everything he does now, to reassure themselves they didn't make a horrible mistake.
In addition to being completely unqualified and apparently not all that bright.
She wants tax money to partially subsidize rich kids' tuition at schools the poor parents she keeps talking about STILL WON'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD EVEN WITH VOUCHERS.
I have some empathy for the desperate low-income voters Trump bamboozled into voting for him by convincing them that HRC shared all his glaring faults and claims that he'd "drain the swamp" and "bring the jobs back." What's discouraging is watching so many of them clearly trying hard to justify everything he does now, to reassure themselves they didn't make a horrible mistake.
7
Buyer's remorse for four long years.
2
Dear God, another scary idiot in Trump's seemingly endless parade of morons. Why does he hate America so much? Every question she was asked, she had no idea how to respond! What are her credentials??
11
This isn't about "one size fits all"--that's the grift. It's really about someone who's incompetent, horribly misguided and destructive, while being unsuitably entitled and powerful. This country has gone so wrong penalizing and rewarding the wrong people. A travesty in the making.
9
"Liberals" have backed charter schools. Not religious schools, which is Betsy's thing. Further, schools get about 9K per year per kid. Most parents do not pay anywhere close to this in property taxes i.e., having 4 kids and the parents paying 36k a year in property taxes. So, everyone is paying for these kids, not just "the parents". Furthermore, public schools pay for kids with disabilities. Oftentimes the DeVos approved charter schools do not. Finally, the charters she championed in Detroit (where there are in excess of 20,000 empty seats) are often "for profit" (another difference) and the "investors" buy the building and charge exorbitant rent and consulting fees (to themselves). It's basically been a big fat failure and is foisted on the black and poor areas, never the rich areas. After all, rich people pay high property taxes and are happy with their schools and their unionized teachers. In other words, no one in Birmingham or Ada is clamoring for more choice. Their schools are already great.
Most of what Betsy and her Republican friends are against is unionized teachers because even though their kids never attended public schools, they cannot stand collective bargaining.
PS. Betsy has no advanced degree and never even held a job, other than committee or Republican political involvement. Thats right, no job.
Most of what Betsy and her Republican friends are against is unionized teachers because even though their kids never attended public schools, they cannot stand collective bargaining.
PS. Betsy has no advanced degree and never even held a job, other than committee or Republican political involvement. Thats right, no job.
8
That "one size fits all " enemy she's targeting is a free, universal, secular public education system that--until the 1980s, when anti-union activists, charter school grifters, radical reactionary ideologues, and the Republican political class launched their all-out war against it--was an example and inspiration for the entire world.
To this day, despite strategic defunding and a colossal and deeply cruel campaign of smear and propaganda against public education in general and the teaching profession in particular, great teachers are accomplishing great things in our nation's public classrooms.
From our public universities down to the smallest K-8 school, our system, for all its flaws, has over the last century provided more and better education to a more diverse mix of students--including kids from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds--than virtually any other industrialized nation.
Now, this great monument to democratic governance is about to be blasted into nothingness like the Buddhas of Bamiyan, another notch in the belt of the dark money Republicans who have bought their way into total power.
Who benefits? Not the nation's children, that's for sure. The only people left standing once the dust settles will be a bizarre mix of right-wing ideologues and radical anti-knowledge theocrats, plus the new class of "privatization profiteers" who have discovered how easy it is to "get rich quick" by siphoning public dollars into private pockets.
An American tragedy.
To this day, despite strategic defunding and a colossal and deeply cruel campaign of smear and propaganda against public education in general and the teaching profession in particular, great teachers are accomplishing great things in our nation's public classrooms.
From our public universities down to the smallest K-8 school, our system, for all its flaws, has over the last century provided more and better education to a more diverse mix of students--including kids from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds--than virtually any other industrialized nation.
Now, this great monument to democratic governance is about to be blasted into nothingness like the Buddhas of Bamiyan, another notch in the belt of the dark money Republicans who have bought their way into total power.
Who benefits? Not the nation's children, that's for sure. The only people left standing once the dust settles will be a bizarre mix of right-wing ideologues and radical anti-knowledge theocrats, plus the new class of "privatization profiteers" who have discovered how easy it is to "get rich quick" by siphoning public dollars into private pockets.
An American tragedy.
9
Expect public education to be "born again" by Betsy DeVos. Turn in daily for the "Christian Hour". If you're not an evangelical, but are mainline Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim or, God help us, an agnostic or atheist, you do not exist. This billionaire wants only for our schools to mirror her warped answers to everything.
We used to choose cabinet members who believed in separating church and state, build everyone up and to have even an inkling of what they were talking about. May God help our kids and I don't mean Betsy's one.
We used to choose cabinet members who believed in separating church and state, build everyone up and to have even an inkling of what they were talking about. May God help our kids and I don't mean Betsy's one.
8
"One size fits all" is a poor description of public schools, much less the federal government's role in education.
In the U.S., states are in charge of education and local districts run the vast majority of schools. Further down, at the classroom level, the best teachers do "personalized learning". (That has been true for decades, long before the phrase was co-opted by software companies and online schools.) There is definitely not one size, shape or type of education. In fact, common Core was an attempt to impose uniformity, and it is rightfully opposed by Ms. DeVos. Does she want different federal mandates? Another nationwide testing regime? How hypocritical that would be!
Here's the basic idea of public education: if taxpayers are going to pay for the schooling of all children, then they get to set policies through a locally elected school board. It's a valued tradition in America and hugely important to our democracy. It binds communities and gives people an opportunity to work together, toward shared goals.
A public school does not mean "one size" any more than does a local police or fire department or, for that matter, a public library. In every state, parents can already provide whatever education they want for their children. But they have no right to public funds if their children don't go to public schools. That's exactly as it should be for anything paid for with taxpayer dollars. That's what democracy, as opposed to theocracy, is all about.
In the U.S., states are in charge of education and local districts run the vast majority of schools. Further down, at the classroom level, the best teachers do "personalized learning". (That has been true for decades, long before the phrase was co-opted by software companies and online schools.) There is definitely not one size, shape or type of education. In fact, common Core was an attempt to impose uniformity, and it is rightfully opposed by Ms. DeVos. Does she want different federal mandates? Another nationwide testing regime? How hypocritical that would be!
Here's the basic idea of public education: if taxpayers are going to pay for the schooling of all children, then they get to set policies through a locally elected school board. It's a valued tradition in America and hugely important to our democracy. It binds communities and gives people an opportunity to work together, toward shared goals.
A public school does not mean "one size" any more than does a local police or fire department or, for that matter, a public library. In every state, parents can already provide whatever education they want for their children. But they have no right to public funds if their children don't go to public schools. That's exactly as it should be for anything paid for with taxpayer dollars. That's what democracy, as opposed to theocracy, is all about.
7
Ms. DeVos' declaration that one size does not fit all is simply trite, born of a mind that knows little about education but much about politicizing and crippling it. Any experienced educator knows that one size does not fit all. We approach our students as individuals with different talents, abilities, and needs.
The paramount issue for Ms. DeVos' confirmation is whether she sees our nation's schools as forums for learning and freedom of thought and expression or prisons for indoctrination. Available public information about her points clearly to the latter.
Education is a pillar of freedom, and the Republicans fear it. By redirecting US taxpayer dollars away from existing, non-sectarian public education, Ms. Vos will turn our schools into religiously oriented factories that turn out an undereducated, incurious workforce that will be pliant fodder for unfettered capitalism, a workforce that lacks the will or skills to seize opportunities to rise above serfdom. Republican dreams of permanent stratification will have been met.
The importance of strong, public education to a just and vibrant nation cannot be overestimated. Without it, the US will find itself struggling to avoid being relegated to the backwaters among advanced nations with better educated workforces. Our Secretary of Education should be a person who understands this and works to strengthen public education, not undermine it.
The paramount issue for Ms. DeVos' confirmation is whether she sees our nation's schools as forums for learning and freedom of thought and expression or prisons for indoctrination. Available public information about her points clearly to the latter.
Education is a pillar of freedom, and the Republicans fear it. By redirecting US taxpayer dollars away from existing, non-sectarian public education, Ms. Vos will turn our schools into religiously oriented factories that turn out an undereducated, incurious workforce that will be pliant fodder for unfettered capitalism, a workforce that lacks the will or skills to seize opportunities to rise above serfdom. Republican dreams of permanent stratification will have been met.
The importance of strong, public education to a just and vibrant nation cannot be overestimated. Without it, the US will find itself struggling to avoid being relegated to the backwaters among advanced nations with better educated workforces. Our Secretary of Education should be a person who understands this and works to strengthen public education, not undermine it.
17
Betsy DeVos sees a "one-size-fits-all school system" but the public schools in poor neighborhoods fit no one and serve no one--not the kids who have to attend them or the society that receives the inadequately educated adults that those kids grow into. .
These underfunded public schools need money. DeVos knows that there are not enough charter schools to serve all of our children. She knows that vouchers will be insufficient to send poor children to private schools. She doesn't care about the children we leave behind.
These underfunded public schools need money. DeVos knows that there are not enough charter schools to serve all of our children. She knows that vouchers will be insufficient to send poor children to private schools. She doesn't care about the children we leave behind.
10
"Can you commit to us that you will not work to privatize public schools or cut a single penny from public education" Translation: can you guarantee that you will keep inner city kids trapped in awful schools against their best interests and the will of their parents in order to pay back the teacher's unions for their unwavering support of the Democratic party?
2
"No, we'll present them with vouchers that they can bring up to the shiny gates of the Gatsby School, only to be profoundly reminded how much they are not rich, white, or Christian enough for admittance. But we wish them well."
8
Please explain Detroit. Lots of choices, doesn't seem to have improved much.
3
The real issue is whether the current system which is largely controlled by teachers unions which are among the Democratic parties largest contributors is serving the needs of this country and it's students. Especially in poor urban areas. The unions stand against teachers being judged based on the performance of their students. They argue for higher salaries but largely reject merit pay which might bring in and retain better teachers. They fight tooth and nail to protect the jobs of the worst teachers which creates absurd scenarios like the rubber rooms in NYC filled with teachers the schools don't want but can't fire. I doubt that Betsy DeVos has all the answers but anyone not beholden to the teachers unions you should want her to have a chance to make things better.
1
The title of the article is inaccurate. It was not a partisan debate on how best to spend public money on education. It was a review of DeVos' credentials for an enormously important position, one which she failed badly. DeVos was ignorant about critical federal law about educating children with disabilities, and was clearly against the concept - astounding attitude when she'd be the person most responsible for protect our disabled kids' education. DeVos was ignorant about methods used to evaluate students' progress. DeVos wants to privatize public education, give vouchers for private schools (including religious schools), and believes public schools are a "dead end". Look at her record in Michigan.
7
"One Size Fits ALL", given the massive gaps in our childrens abilities to learn, has been the most imbecilic attempt, at left wing equality in education, America has ever been required to suffer through. The very concept harms all, not just a few, and steals the ability of our children to receive the best education we can give them; our very survival, in this mostly barbaric World, depends primarily on them.
Just a couple of questions:
Will the ethics review process stop if she is confirmed before it is completed?
If it doesn't, what would happen if she were to be confirmed, then two weeks later the completed review showed conflicts of interest?
Will the ethics review process stop if she is confirmed before it is completed?
If it doesn't, what would happen if she were to be confirmed, then two weeks later the completed review showed conflicts of interest?
3
Trump's goal here is to make our school children as ignorant as he is.
9
It is shameful that Republicans would support such an unqualified individual with such a clear record of failure. Oh, wait a minute...
10
Great ! Another "billionaire for the people" in the cabinet !
It's amateur hour at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
It's amateur hour at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
14
It's difficult to accept successful people being cabinet members, isn't it?
The only thing DeVos is right about is that a "one size fits all" system does not work. Not all students are university qualified. But the answer is not in charter schools but in providing a public school system having an standard national criteria (Common Core), and one that provides levels for the academic path and the practical path. Most of Europe takes this approach and it works very well indeed.
To fund private education of any kind for any reason with public money should never happen. Those who wish alternatives are welcome to do so at their own expense, not mine or any other taxpayer. That is "choice".
To fund private education of any kind for any reason with public money should never happen. Those who wish alternatives are welcome to do so at their own expense, not mine or any other taxpayer. That is "choice".
6
Wouldn't "one size doesn't fit all" inevitably lead to more regulations and guidances, human nature being what it is? Just asking.
This is more of the same: a nominee that in years past would not even make it this far. No qualifications to hold the post, no ideas on how to forward the organization she proposes to lead, no idea how to respond to scrutiny from congress - whose job it is to make sure the candidate is fit for duty.
During her confirmation hearing DeVos made it PAINFULLY clear that she has no more intention of serving the interests of the people of this country than does any other billionaire loser. Same story: born with incredible advantage, looks out for number one (herself), done nothing for anyone that does not support her own agenda.
During her confirmation hearing DeVos made it PAINFULLY clear that she has no more intention of serving the interests of the people of this country than does any other billionaire loser. Same story: born with incredible advantage, looks out for number one (herself), done nothing for anyone that does not support her own agenda.
10
Yesterday, Alexander shamelessly let DeVos's hearing proceed without completion of her required ethic's review and short circuited the question time to properly probe into her fitness for this post. Today, this same senator short circuited, again as chairperson but of a different committee, the questioning of Price to serve as H.H.S. head despite startling revelations of conflicts of interest and possible insider stock trading by him.
The public must keep a sharp eye not only on these and other destructive nominees, but the procedural trickery being employed by the Republicans, such as Alexander, to game the hearing process. Hopefully, Democrats will employ whatever parliamentary tools they have to resist these tactics. As citizens, we can write, call, organize, protest, etc. to let Trump's cabal know that these machinations are unacceptable and will be resisted.
The public must keep a sharp eye not only on these and other destructive nominees, but the procedural trickery being employed by the Republicans, such as Alexander, to game the hearing process. Hopefully, Democrats will employ whatever parliamentary tools they have to resist these tactics. As citizens, we can write, call, organize, protest, etc. to let Trump's cabal know that these machinations are unacceptable and will be resisted.
13
I somehow missed the word "grizzlies" in this article. Her hearing was abhorring and a perfect reflection of what kind of people you get when you are allowing "pay to play". It is blatantly obvious that Betsy DeVos is not the right choice for the job.
6
Maybe Trump University will give her an honorary degree so she can get through this confirmation process.
4
Our country is now for the wealthy. Of course that is what is was like for our founding fathers so maybe we have just done a complete circle and gone back to our heritage days.
3
'School choice' is just another feel-good label to privatize something that should be publicly run and funded. Rather than trying to fix our once-excellent public education system, people like Ms. DeVos would rather just let it crumble, like our other public infrastructure. Core services, such as education, physical infrastructure, healthcare, and defense should NEVER be privatized. Why? Because they are supposed to exist for the common good - not for corporate profits.
8
Ignorant, super wealthy dilatant who is clueless about the process of education.
Guns in the classroom to protect against bears - really?
Can't give a direct answer to any of the focused questions from well prepared and informed senators - you flunk Betsy
One thing is for certain. If her lips are moving she is lying. A disaster appointment, and it will happen.
Guns in the classroom to protect against bears - really?
Can't give a direct answer to any of the focused questions from well prepared and informed senators - you flunk Betsy
One thing is for certain. If her lips are moving she is lying. A disaster appointment, and it will happen.
7
Yup, just another Trump pick who wants to destroy the department she's being put in charge of. I would expect nothing else from that fool Trump, and I expect nothing but bad news from his regime, until he is finally impeached in about three weeks.
5
Well done DeVos - let's get this done.
One read constantly of the "Trump Era" not the Trump presidency. Gee I wonder why? The ship of fools have taken over the wheel house and decided a safe harbor will be those rocks over there that look pretty sturdy or how about we just drop anchor in the swamp. The Trump rally of the markets was nothing more than your basic Christmas rally, which if it goes well put lots of bucks in the bonus checks of brokers all over Wall Street. Now the markets are scared, very scared, they do not like uncertainty. Now it is there in Spades! We will witness something on a massive scale never before seen. So be worried. Be very worried. The good ol' days will look pretty great.
3
"privatization" has only meant one thing for the American taxpayer: you'll now be paying 23-30% more for what you had before, and that says NOTHING about any perceived or promised qualitative changes. Rich people at the head of corporations are going to get a lot richer, on your dime. Just look at Cheney and Halliburton, for one example. Tasks that were traditionally performed by uniformed soldiers were "contracted" (usually NO BID), and there was NO attempt to control costs.
Remember, we now OUTSPEND the next 9 countries in the world COMBINED on "defense". Corporate 1%-ers would LOVE to see that same fiscal insanity spread to every other branch and function of government.
Standards, quality and OVERSIGHT are kicked to the ground. This is WRONG, and un-American.
DeVos is unqualified, and should be voted down.
Remember, we now OUTSPEND the next 9 countries in the world COMBINED on "defense". Corporate 1%-ers would LOVE to see that same fiscal insanity spread to every other branch and function of government.
Standards, quality and OVERSIGHT are kicked to the ground. This is WRONG, and un-American.
DeVos is unqualified, and should be voted down.
8
Many of us who graduated from public high schools 40 or more years ago have little experience with public education. The seem to have been two changes. There is emphasis on students with limited ability and motivation and on college prep. The middle has been pulled to the extremes, like the political system. School Choice with its great many drawbacks could be a way to accommodate a more diverse student population. It could be tracking under another name.
Does anyone have information on current public schools that work well for all students? It would be an interesting article.
Does anyone have information on current public schools that work well for all students? It would be an interesting article.
1
In 2016 There were 73.7 Million school aged children in the United States. You can provide some choice, but the fact is that there must be a completely functioning structure for all children's schooling. Charter, parochial and private schools cannot fit easily into such a structure unless they follow the same rules of curriculum, testing, etc of all the other schools. Ms. DeVos's plan will not work in a nation of 350 million people. There must be common standards and result oriented techniques for all providers for the system to work.
5
That there are good public schools and bad voucher schools indicates that unions and the public hand are not the problem. It's that simple. Instead of vouchers and charter schools, use that money to fix the neighborhood public schools that need fixing and allow kids to stay in their neighborhoods instead of being bused all over the place. Charter schools are fine for the idea of trying out new ideas, but that isn't what a lot of them are being used for. Private schools and foundations have had scholarship programs going back for decades for those who can not afford the private school tuition.
5
Correction: in my preivous post, I incorrecly said "bad voucher schools" instead of "bac charter schools". There is not such thing as a voucher school, just vouchers for private schools.
1
Betsy will pick up the tab personally if you send your children to a parochial school.
However, no Betsy coverage if it's a Muslim school, except you prove Dutch ancestry.
Also you get a free Amway membership card with every voucher.
However, no Betsy coverage if it's a Muslim school, except you prove Dutch ancestry.
Also you get a free Amway membership card with every voucher.
3
I am very happy with our public schools, where I send my two children. There are a lot of hard working teachers and administrators there, they do a good job, test scores are excellent, and the sense of community is palpable.
To hear this woman denigrate the US public school system with such a broad brush, to say "it is failing," to say it needs to be rebuilt entirely, just underscores the word on the street -- that she has never sent her kids to a public school, has never worked at one, has never garnered any experience as a teacher, and seems to have a single-minded determination to move money away from public schools and towards her benefactors, facts be damned.
She knows nothing. It's sickening.
To hear this woman denigrate the US public school system with such a broad brush, to say "it is failing," to say it needs to be rebuilt entirely, just underscores the word on the street -- that she has never sent her kids to a public school, has never worked at one, has never garnered any experience as a teacher, and seems to have a single-minded determination to move money away from public schools and towards her benefactors, facts be damned.
She knows nothing. It's sickening.
9
This is just another example of the ludicrous shills that Trump is putting in place to dismantle the nation into states so that ALEC can pick them clean.
5
Please do not let this person become head of Education. She has no experience, very little knowledge beyond her checkbook and bible and clearly doesn't follow what she preaches. I'm believing the only job she's ever held is philamprothist. How does that make you qualified to be a Secretary of Education?
3
NYT, please note that Senator Alexander, along with several other republican committee members have telephones that are not working/off the hook and we have not been able to get a hold of them to express our disappointment with this nominee. Please visit Sen. Alexander's Facebook page to see how many people have posted their objection to this nominee and frustration with the fact that his office is not accepting phone calls.
3
The 'sad truth' is that no educational learning system or model 'fits all', the typical lecture on 'one-to-many' is a result of the industralization model of education that is several hundred of years old and this has as much to do with tradition as it does with finite teaching resources. Yet we are so lucky to be bred n the 21st Century where we are see the mere glimpse of 'individualized' assistants and learning models, where the potential exist to instruct and guide each student according to their innate learning abilities and at a presentation and pace level that bests fits each student. Not all students excell with mere rote memorizationor lectures, many neeeds hands-on, simulation or 3D visualization. Computers and IT can be our new teachers, but this will mean breaking old instructor and educational models as well as re-framing the ,meaning of the word 'teacher' from a mere human to a human-computer construct.
This person shows all the signs of someone who has never experienced the leveling of public education. In public schools one learns that there is always someone else who is better any at any one thing one can do, and they can be of any race. It is both humbling and motivational, because there are infinite possibilities to combine things people can get good at that people can use creatively.
The whole Amway structure is hierarchical. This arrangement often becomes a kiss up kick down pecking order, culturally.
The whole Amway structure is hierarchical. This arrangement often becomes a kiss up kick down pecking order, culturally.
4
And if her family company just happens to receive millions of dollars of public money, well that's just called capitalism.
5
This worries me a Great Deal. ...worry that our neediest, poorest and smartest(no matter what color) will be Left Behind.
4
Simply put, what they term "vouchers" now, as a good thing, 10 years or less from now they will call an "entitlement", to be done away with. Of course, this will be after they've shut down the public education system. Fait Accompli!
4
The United States is the only country in the world actively and purposefully making itself a Third World country. If one looks at the transition of countries from the developing world into the developed world, there are some common features. Some form of public healthcare is one of them. Another is an increase in the scope and availability of public education. This is a pattern repeated over and over again, from Germany in 1890 to Taiwan in 1990.
From repealing the ACA without replacement to installing an education secretary who doesn't believe in public education. The United States of 2017 is traveling in the opposite direction.
From repealing the ACA without replacement to installing an education secretary who doesn't believe in public education. The United States of 2017 is traveling in the opposite direction.
8
Doesn't know anything about the law. Doesn't know anything about education. But she knows best. It didn't work out so well in Michigan did it Betsy.
6
Whenever conservatives want to privatize services in the public sector, they use this coded language of "choice" for "consumers." We've seen Rep. Ryan use this language in talking about privatizing Social Security and Medicare. Make no mistake, though, what they're really talking about is pocketing huge sums of public money and allowing a small group of billionaires to control a market and gouge the 99%. If you want to see what kind of options the free market gives you, take a look at your options for cable providers—if you're like most Americans, you have 1 choice, and it's to be robbed.
5
And what ever happened to the vetting of her finances? Is that not a prerequisite?
5
The headline "...seeks to end one size fits all". Please media stop with the yelling the Republican/conservative/Trump messages as if they herald some new shift in thinking in government. Education never has been a one size fits all even in the one room school house days.
Skilled teachers always try to tailor their teaching methods and styles in the classroom. Teachers get that each student is unique. As the education community became more aware of special needs and learning disabilities, they have tried, underfunded, to diversify and accommodate these needs.
DeVos is removed from the reality of many public school students who reply on the public school system to help them despite their parents' lack of interest or income. Privatize the system and students fall to the side because education will drift to the more well to do neighborhoods and opportunities dwindle for fair distribution of funding. Student diversity reversed and the social good as parents choose schools that look like them.
The schools can always improve but they are not stuck in a one size fits all state as DeVos claims.
The same can be said for the other issues the Trump Reps yell about: NATO is obsolete, healthcare is broken, the military needs redirection, spy agencies mislead, criminal undocumented workers should be deported - the list goes on. The gov't has been working to improve, remove, reorganize all these areas and more, it just doesn't yell about it. Trump didn't invent policy correction.
Skilled teachers always try to tailor their teaching methods and styles in the classroom. Teachers get that each student is unique. As the education community became more aware of special needs and learning disabilities, they have tried, underfunded, to diversify and accommodate these needs.
DeVos is removed from the reality of many public school students who reply on the public school system to help them despite their parents' lack of interest or income. Privatize the system and students fall to the side because education will drift to the more well to do neighborhoods and opportunities dwindle for fair distribution of funding. Student diversity reversed and the social good as parents choose schools that look like them.
The schools can always improve but they are not stuck in a one size fits all state as DeVos claims.
The same can be said for the other issues the Trump Reps yell about: NATO is obsolete, healthcare is broken, the military needs redirection, spy agencies mislead, criminal undocumented workers should be deported - the list goes on. The gov't has been working to improve, remove, reorganize all these areas and more, it just doesn't yell about it. Trump didn't invent policy correction.
7
Money buys influence and a lot of money buys you a department head post. This in itself is not as egregious as her lack of basic qualifications and even familiarity with what public education is. As for using vouchers to allow parents to send their kids to private school - why should my tax dollars be used for that? Private school is a choice not a right. She's kidding herself if some private schools will open their doors to a flood of new students. Furthermore these vouchers will likely not cover the entire cost of tuition anyway. As is, many of the choice private schools have more than enough aspirants seeking admittance without letting in a flood of wannabes. Basically her scheme sounds like a way to promote religious schools and charter schools, the latter of which has had some mixed success in this state. The GOP and Dems need to decline to approve this nominee because she is flatly unqualified. End of story.
7
Ms. DeVos' promise to bring about the "end of one size fits all education" is a fine bit of Orwellian Doublespeak. What she is really signalling is the great gold rush of privatization.
How will Ms. DeVos and the other corporate deformers accomplish this? By standardizing the curriculum; driving down the cost of labor through "right to work" policies and greater reliance on technology eg. computer driven instruction to replace experienced educators.
What Ms.DeVos-- a non-educator fails to understand is that successful schools are based on cultures that prize COLLABORATION, over competition.
So America -- fasten your seat belts and get ready for McEducation, cheap, fast, and "adequate".
How will Ms. DeVos and the other corporate deformers accomplish this? By standardizing the curriculum; driving down the cost of labor through "right to work" policies and greater reliance on technology eg. computer driven instruction to replace experienced educators.
What Ms.DeVos-- a non-educator fails to understand is that successful schools are based on cultures that prize COLLABORATION, over competition.
So America -- fasten your seat belts and get ready for McEducation, cheap, fast, and "adequate".
6
How many supporters of voucher schools are interested in improving education and how many are just interested in busting teachers' unions because they believe teachers are overpaid.
Before the women's movement jobs for women were limited. Many talented women became teachers.
Being female they could be and were underpaid.
That supply of cheap labor has disappeared.
Now if we want qualified teachers we have to pay more.
But many in the voucher movement do not care about education.
Money spent on education [particularly educating OTHER peoples' children]is seen as wasted money.
Where do politicians who control the funding of the public schools [but of course do not send their own children to these public schools] send their own children.
Before the women's movement jobs for women were limited. Many talented women became teachers.
Being female they could be and were underpaid.
That supply of cheap labor has disappeared.
Now if we want qualified teachers we have to pay more.
But many in the voucher movement do not care about education.
Money spent on education [particularly educating OTHER peoples' children]is seen as wasted money.
Where do politicians who control the funding of the public schools [but of course do not send their own children to these public schools] send their own children.
16
Obama and the Clintons sent their daughters to expensive private schools, never public.
1
DeVos has been quoted elsewhere as wanting to do "God's work" in schools. Please, not on the public dime. Churches aren't taxed; let them pay for their own schools. Viva public AND secular, broad-based education
19
I doubt I do much to benefit public education by noting here that my own public education was a smattering of the best available at the time.
2
I need an option to not pay for public education, if she were to decide where money will be spent? (No way for for her and her big brother)
5
I look forward to Ms. Devos running the Department of Education. Under her leadership Americans will have a choice as to where their children to be educated. Families who could not otherwise afford to send their children to private schools will have the opportunity to receive vouchers to pay tuition. I look forward to her restoring states rights to education, allowing the states to decide how and where their children will be educated, Education did just fine without the DOE until its establishment in 1980. Why was needed? Why does it continue to exist? Since its establishment under Carter, public education has declined steadily. It is interesting how America in general began to decline at that time. Ms. DeVos will fix that, so that all American children will have equal educational opportunities, so that they will have access to same opportunities available to wealthy families, especially the wealthy liberals who talk about supporting public education while sending their children to elite private schools so they have to mix with the children of the less well off. Liberal society is not a classless society and liberals use education to make sure of that. Under DeVos, America will have a truly egalitarian system of education. Her tenure can not come soon enough. Thank you.
4
But remember that old conservative concept of local control of the schools? Devos and Trump can huff and puff as much as they want, but it's local school districts and states that will decide on public school funding, vouchers, etc. As for using vouchers for religious schools, that's already been decided in many cases around the country...it's un-Constitutional and isn't going to happen.
2
Hilarious.
1
LOL- you must really not understand what is happening. Another victim of the dumbing down of America. (Poor children will not be able to attend elite private schools- do not kid yourself).
2
You give her far too much credit. A house plant could have been more detailed. The headline should be "Incompetent Billionaire looking to send US education system back to the Stone age.."
20
Actually, the educational system in this country was much better 50+ years ago. I have read about it on my own time (schools never taught much history). Idiots like DeVos are part of the dumbing down of America. These are people who call themselves patriots yet don't want to pay taxes and don't care about the health or education of their fellow Americans. We are a disgrace that is getting worse by the minute.
1
Liberals advocate for a woman's right to chose abortion or not. However, once the child is of school age, liberals believe parents should not have choice as to their child's education. Why? It's because they fear parents will favor public over private education and therefore defund public schools. This is not exactly a ringing endorsement for the public school system or the teachers unions who run them.
3
Send to your offspring to any educational center you desire, but public funds are for public schools.
We all have to learn to deal with unfamiliar people of diverse races and cultures in adulthood. Liberal parents want their children to grow up comfortable with that reality, because we all have limited control over whom we come into contact in life, and it helps to have experienced their perspectives before.
2
You do have a choice. You simply have to pay for it yourself.
1
The attached ranking (click on link below) shows U.S. students (15 year olds) are ranked as 'average' versus their peers in other countries. Countries like Singapore and Japan scored at the top of the international rankings.
Given this information, it is easy to see that the U.S. education system needs to be reformed in order to be more competitive with the students in other countries. Moreover, we can either reform our existing schools and/or establish new schools with new teachers and teaching methods and see if the students improve their performance.
To argue for the status quo in education seems to ignore the facts. How best to improve our schools and the education of our kids is an open question and one that leaders in education need to address.
As a Dad with five kids (and degrees from Berkeley and Michigan); I am quite pleased with the education my kids have received in public schools but our school district is well funded and well managed. Our students score in the top ten percent of students in our state. Most kids in America are not getting this kind of education and the discussion in Washington needs to address this problem.
http://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2015/01/STEM_p...
Given this information, it is easy to see that the U.S. education system needs to be reformed in order to be more competitive with the students in other countries. Moreover, we can either reform our existing schools and/or establish new schools with new teachers and teaching methods and see if the students improve their performance.
To argue for the status quo in education seems to ignore the facts. How best to improve our schools and the education of our kids is an open question and one that leaders in education need to address.
As a Dad with five kids (and degrees from Berkeley and Michigan); I am quite pleased with the education my kids have received in public schools but our school district is well funded and well managed. Our students score in the top ten percent of students in our state. Most kids in America are not getting this kind of education and the discussion in Washington needs to address this problem.
http://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2015/01/STEM_p...
4
Another trump nitwit. From a family that made its fortune in a pyramid scheme, we have a person that questions scientific theory and does not want accountability for her "choice " schools. she is a deeply flawed, rich entitled, white person with no ability except to spread her family money around to advance her regressive agenda. Oh, and we need guns in schools... after all there are bears in Wyoming. Trouble is there are more unstable gun nuts than bears.
22
Why is this woman smiling? She clearly knows little or nothing about educational theory, practice, or policy. Worse, she seems totally unaware of how little she knows.
What a ridiculous nominee.
What a ridiculous nominee.
25
Most idiots are happy all the time. Either that, or she was once in a Trump beauty contest...
1
She's all about religious schools, But what happens when someone wants to send their kid to a Madrasa?
If vouchers happen all the snakes in the grass will be starting all forms of "schools" just to get government money. It's already happened with the limited place that have approved them.
If vouchers happen all the snakes in the grass will be starting all forms of "schools" just to get government money. It's already happened with the limited place that have approved them.
13
She doesn't k now what I.D.E.A. is or understand that it is federally mandated. She doesn't understand what an I.E.P. nor the difference between proficiency and growth. As a parent of a child with a disability I had to learn about all of these things. As a parent to typical children I had to research and understand the differences between public and charter schools and make an informed choice to choose an essential charter school. Mrs. DeVos cannot speak knowledgeably about any of these things. Why should we trust her with running and improving our educational system when she doesn't have a cursory knowledge of how it runs now?
77
Anyone familiar with public education understands that the "one s-ze fits all" descriptor expressed by De Los, is a blatant admission that she has no idea what happens in a public school.
10
This nominee is a joke. It would be nice if the Republicans did their jobs and sent her packing.
8
Trump's nominees have made it clear that they believe all government-provided functions properly belong in the hands of private businesses, allegedly creating growing employment opportunities and improving product quality in the process.
Twenty five years of deregulation have demonstrated that business only seeks monopoly control of any market, freedom to lower all standards and raise all prices, and freedom to diminish employment opportunities for average people.
Twenty five years of deregulation have demonstrated that business only seeks monopoly control of any market, freedom to lower all standards and raise all prices, and freedom to diminish employment opportunities for average people.
4
If unions are the problem with public education why do the best performing states have the strongest unions?
14
Wow. The teachers' unions and their leftist allies never let facts get in the way of a false narrative. Because it's patently false that "the best performing states have the strongest unions." See, e.g., California.
1
Let's try not to make her more than she is. She's an unqualified candidate with a lot of money, maybe wants to make a lot more, who has "the best ideas" that she's vetted around the dinner table and, well the whole room agrees with her.
8
If you are a parent, poor, live in an inner city, then how much worse can it get for your kid who has to attend a school that has been failing its students for years. The problem is complex, but he status quo should be unacceptable to us all.
4
Does our public Education system up to high school work for most Americans? It certainly does for a significant number of Americans but it does not seem to work for in inner cities of mega cities even though there is busing to suburbs from inner cities for some of the cities. It is every parents right to have their children in schools that will provide them the best education possible and if apparent or parents does not think that the public school in their neighborhood is not up to their expectations then the option to have their child go to an affordable alternative should be available. Partisan debate is fine in a democracy but freedom to choose the best possible school in a reasonable distance for your child should be made possible. This would never have been an issue if the standard of every public school was uniform but it is not and the standard of students coming out of certain schools is not the same as others and that is why we have disproportionate level of unemployment and crime among student graduating from certain schools as compared to others. Betsy de Vos could foster choice and an opportunity to oversee how a change by doing things differently will have better educated American students.
2
Betsy DeVos should not be confirmed as Secretary of Education because she is not qualified for the position. She is both ideologically unfit and professional inexperienced to oversee the functions of the Department of Education. President-elect Trump has nominated her as a political payback, but also because his intent is to transform the DOE from a watchdog for educational equity and equal opportunity for poor and minority students to a wolf who finds ways to defund and destroy the public schools that disadvantaged students depend on for their education. As head of the Department, Ms. DeVos will divert taxpayers' money to private, mostly sectarian schools, and to for-profit charter school businesses under the guise of "school choice" when the choice of the vast majority of parents is to send their children to a high-quality, high-performing neighborhood school. Public education that is funded from the commonwealth to be non-sectarian and available equally to all children is part of our social contract with our government. It is wrong for the Republicans and the Trump administration to use the power of the federal DOE to change the terms of this contract with this and future generations.
10
...grizzly bears
6
It's disgusting to see Joe Lieberman both presenting Erik Prince's sister & neglecting to note his business ties to the soon-to-be-President: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/davidhalperin/lieberman-introducing-dev_b_.... In 2000, the Times' Katherine Q. Seelye reported "Gore aides said Mr. Lieberman brought a sense of moral rectitude to the ticket." So much for moral rectitude :-(
6
Joe sold his soul long ago.
2
Betsy DeVos tax returns state she is the Vice President of the right-wing Edgar and Else Prince Foundation. The foundation has funneled millions of dollars into Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council which are anti-gay, and the latter is named by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate group.
She absolutely should not be in charge our children's education.
She absolutely should not be in charge our children's education.
22
Anyone wonder how we got to this place of such divisiveness in our national discourse, this massive breach that has led us to the brink of a nation that will be the subject of international scorn from all the free nations of the world. Charter Schools and Religious Schools is the cause. And, if we keep this up and do not get this beast under control, you will see Islamic Madrassas cranking out little homegrown armies of Islamic militants. And, the supreme court will not step in the way because they have built the way. What a runaway loony bin this has become.
5
There is no lawful constitutional basis for any form of faith based belief to be taught as fact in any public school.
14
Parents should have a right to educate their children any way they see fit, and DeVos will see that it will happen.
3
Even if it means no accountability?
3
Just don't ask me to pay for it.
2
How come no one calls out the elephant in the room. The first key to education is the parents. After that it's socioeconomic.
Teachers in general, are not the problem, unless of course you say they are the problem because you can't get good teachers because they are NOT paid for what their value is.
Teachers in general, are not the problem, unless of course you say they are the problem because you can't get good teachers because they are NOT paid for what their value is.
2
How is someone who has never head to rely on a student loan in any way qualified to run that department? What does she know about the struggle of the children of poor and lower middle class?
10
Hey, Trump voters voted against their own interests. They thought liberals were "elite"? Nah. It's these people. Watch what happens.
2
If DeVoss succeeds in blowing up the public school system, maybe that will encourage parents to get more involved in their public school instead of viewing the education system as a babysitter.
10
Great idea. Meanwhile, who suffers? That's right- children. The future of America. It seems that American children must always suffer as guinea pigs for idiots like DeVos, who doesn't even bother to prepare or educate herself before a confirmation hearing. How much lower do we have to sink in this country?
3
‘I would imagine that there is probably a gun in the schools to protect from potential grizzlies.’ Betsy DeVos, education secretary nominee. Maybe those private schools she attended aren't all that great. But then again her brother is Erik Prince of Blackwater infamy so who knows, and he made a whole lot of money off of the federal government.
6
Talk about someone who would have benefited from a public education.
11
Really? No mention of the potential grizzlies?
4
The fact that DeVos thinks that public education right now is "one size fits all" just indicates her complete lack of understanding & knowledge about education in America. There are public magnet schools, public charters (I'm not counting the poorly-regulated for-profit charters), schools that offer foreign language programs, programs for gifted students, and of course the many models to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Are there schools with problems? Of course--but DeVos has not shown any indication that she understands policy well enough or has the experience necessary to make positive changes where they need to be made. Is she aware of the research on educational outcomes of the ideas she espouses? I haven't seen any evidence that she has, nor that she recognizes the significance of data collected for decades. I'm absolutely staggered that she's even being considered for this post.
15
The GOP understands.
"You've got to be taught
To hate and fear,
You've got to be taught
From year to year,
It's got to be drummed
In your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught.
You've got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade,
You've got to be carefully taught.
You've got to be taught before it's too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate,
You've got to be carefully taught!
"South Pacific
"You've got to be taught
To hate and fear,
You've got to be taught
From year to year,
It's got to be drummed
In your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught.
You've got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade,
You've got to be carefully taught.
You've got to be taught before it's too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate,
You've got to be carefully taught!
"South Pacific
7
Republicans and conservatives *want* kids (meaning all non-rich) to have a poor education. That way, it's much easier to fool them and use them when they get to voting age. Under DeVos, an empty suit if there ever was one, education will ultimately only be supplied to the wealthy by our taxpayer money. Everyone else is on their own.
What an embarrassment for both a nominee and a country. All of these unqualified and dogmatic cabinet picks makes it much easier for Russia to break-down democracy and the US.
What an embarrassment for both a nominee and a country. All of these unqualified and dogmatic cabinet picks makes it much easier for Russia to break-down democracy and the US.
6
Ir reibus or bannon the headline writer for the MYTimes these days?
A woman who has no connections to public education except in the capacity of attacking it with her billions, who does not know even basic things about how the education system works, cannot answer questions about education that any student teacher would handle with ease, whose money has wrought havoc in the school system of her home state, who thinks disabled kids are not entitled to education, and who wants our public schools privatized for Jesus?
And the headline is that there is "partisan debate???" Stop normalizing the insane. This woman belongs in a cloister, or an asylum, not our government.
A woman who has no connections to public education except in the capacity of attacking it with her billions, who does not know even basic things about how the education system works, cannot answer questions about education that any student teacher would handle with ease, whose money has wrought havoc in the school system of her home state, who thinks disabled kids are not entitled to education, and who wants our public schools privatized for Jesus?
And the headline is that there is "partisan debate???" Stop normalizing the insane. This woman belongs in a cloister, or an asylum, not our government.
11
If a candidate for a teaching position interviewed at my public middle school and could not answer the question, "How should student progress be assessed?", as Ms. Devoe could not, that person would not be hired.
14
Student debt is the trillion dollar bubble that no one will address! So much attention has been paid to the housing bubble, yet student loans are far more of a problem because they can't even be discharged in bankruptcy. Predatory private loans offer no repayment plans despite what PR representatives of mafia like loan companies may say, and when the original borrower can't pay the debt then it falls to the co signer who can't pay. It took me 10 years to complete a degree but I did it despite a sister on disability, despite my own disability of lupus, and despite the far too difficult path of non traditional education.
There are too many obstacles in the way for too many that fight tooth and nail to compete in an increasingly hostile and uncertain world. And private loans that I never should have taken out, but had no other choice, ballooned out of control during the decade it took me to finish my education. I am in debtor's prison like so many others but no one will commute my sentence. And my crime? I tried to get ahead. Silly me, I thought that was an admirable quality, but now it feels like a costly mistake.
You don't need a degree in economics to know the disastrous impacts of an incoming, indebted, millenial generation and an outgoing baby boomer generation. Buisnesses, banks, and brands like Trump are"too big too fail" despite their repeated failures, but the burdens of the People are never "too big to forget," unless it's an election year.
There are too many obstacles in the way for too many that fight tooth and nail to compete in an increasingly hostile and uncertain world. And private loans that I never should have taken out, but had no other choice, ballooned out of control during the decade it took me to finish my education. I am in debtor's prison like so many others but no one will commute my sentence. And my crime? I tried to get ahead. Silly me, I thought that was an admirable quality, but now it feels like a costly mistake.
You don't need a degree in economics to know the disastrous impacts of an incoming, indebted, millenial generation and an outgoing baby boomer generation. Buisnesses, banks, and brands like Trump are"too big too fail" despite their repeated failures, but the burdens of the People are never "too big to forget," unless it's an election year.
4
DeVos is an unabashed theocrat and therefore unfit to serve.
Then there's the failure of her voucherization of Michigan public education...her brother Erik and the company once known as Blackwater...conversion therapy...and her total lack of meaningful experience in education. After all, being an advocate doesn't necessarily mean that you'd be a good manager.
Kjnd of a bought-and-paid for cabinet post, I'd say.
Then there's the failure of her voucherization of Michigan public education...her brother Erik and the company once known as Blackwater...conversion therapy...and her total lack of meaningful experience in education. After all, being an advocate doesn't necessarily mean that you'd be a good manager.
Kjnd of a bought-and-paid for cabinet post, I'd say.
7
Betsy is the sister of Erik Prince who founded Black Water, the mercenaries-for-hire business. Jeremy Scahill, the author of Blackwater, has a less than stellar opinion of them both.
Betsy lied about not being on the board of her mother's foundation or having any decision-making role, but she's listed as vice president on the foundation's tax returns (990).
Her mother's foundation believes in conversion therapy for LGBT kids.
It's going to be a bumpy 4 years. Buckle up!
Betsy lied about not being on the board of her mother's foundation or having any decision-making role, but she's listed as vice president on the foundation's tax returns (990).
Her mother's foundation believes in conversion therapy for LGBT kids.
It's going to be a bumpy 4 years. Buckle up!
67
Why are many of these cabinet appointees, Betsy DeVos included, without fundamental qualifications that us regular folks are required to have when we apply for jobs? They lack proper paperwork, education and professional experience, and, most importantly, commitment to the department that they are nominated to lead. The pool of equally unqualified applicants is unlimited... so why are these appointees above ordinary consideration? Wealth and ideology. They are billionaires wielding influence and they share the president-elect’s vision of government agencies as hybrids of for-profit business and reformed Christian right values. This is an insult to education professionals, a threat to quality public education, and contrary to American values.
9
When will the New York Times cover that Erik Prince of Blackwater death for hire fame, Betsy Prince DeVos's brother, is advising Trump on cabinet nominees? Erik Prince is the Prince of Darkness. The NYT might reeducate everyone on Blackwater's fall from grace to the point if changing their name. This should scare the pants off us.
8
"'So you have no personal experience with college financial aid?' Ms. Warren asked."
Except in the area of education debt collection.
Betsy DeVos was a director of RDV Corporation. "RDV is affiliated with LMF WF Portfolio, a limited liability corporation listed in regulatory filings as one of several firms involved in a $147 million loan to Performant Financial Corp., a debt collection agency in business with the Education Department."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2017/01/17/dems-raise...
Except in the area of education debt collection.
Betsy DeVos was a director of RDV Corporation. "RDV is affiliated with LMF WF Portfolio, a limited liability corporation listed in regulatory filings as one of several firms involved in a $147 million loan to Performant Financial Corp., a debt collection agency in business with the Education Department."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2017/01/17/dems-raise...
12
The American attitude toward education generally and public education particularly is lip service. The citizenry is no more willing to pay for it than they are to pay for other essential public services.
Ms. DeVos is a walking, talking symbol of the Reagan approach to anything that smacks of 'government'. You don't have to strangle the baby in the bath as Norquist suggests, you simply have to abandon it and take whatever paltry resources have been previously available and turn them over to 'enterpreneurs'.
Ms. DeVos is a walking, talking symbol of the Reagan approach to anything that smacks of 'government'. You don't have to strangle the baby in the bath as Norquist suggests, you simply have to abandon it and take whatever paltry resources have been previously available and turn them over to 'enterpreneurs'.
6
I did not know that somebody could buy their way into being the Secretary of Education. Is there anyone who believes that Ms. DeVos would be Donald Trump's pick if she had not given $200,000,000 in political contributions to the Republican party?
The woman is clearly unfit to be Secretary of Education.
If public education is not working then appoint someone who can fix what is broken. Ms. DeVos is not that person.
The woman is clearly unfit to be Secretary of Education.
If public education is not working then appoint someone who can fix what is broken. Ms. DeVos is not that person.
9
NY Times, please make DeVos your lead story. Our children deserve a fair and ethical leader. She has avoided completing her ethics paperwork. Congress please make a stand and deny her confirmation.
13
Public schools 'one size fits all'?? Not where I or just about any American lives. Look at how public schools are funded: by district. If you live in a poorer district, your school(s) will have less money than those in better off districts. Less money, over a K-12 period, demonstrably means a lesser education, with lesser skills for students that necessarily leads to lesser opportunities for the next stages in a student's life.
Betsy DeVos and her mega-rich ilk don't care about schools any further than their impact on public budgets which, as a member of a predatory-capitalist elite, will always be too much. 'Choice' is just a buzz-word for a Darwinian attitude of Us-versus-Them social engineering, where the privileged get an inordinate amount of control over their resources, while separating themselves from the rest of the nation and it's ever-shrinking budgets.
Betsy DeVos and her mega-rich ilk don't care about schools any further than their impact on public budgets which, as a member of a predatory-capitalist elite, will always be too much. 'Choice' is just a buzz-word for a Darwinian attitude of Us-versus-Them social engineering, where the privileged get an inordinate amount of control over their resources, while separating themselves from the rest of the nation and it's ever-shrinking budgets.
9
And you know this how? Seriously, for the last 50 years more has been spent and less achieved. Don't children in non-performing school deserve a chance?
How? Just go to a school district meeting. Ask your representative. Google NJ's state financing of schools. It's no secret. It's how public schools have been funded since they came into existence.
And yes, children in non-performing schools DO deserve a chance. That is my point! How can we expect schools to perform in a similar fashion and kids educated at a similar level when we insist on funding schools based on where their parents live and how much they earn? It's a virtual life sentence to keep the less-well-off less well off, as a group. Sure, there will always be exceptional students that can rise above structural problems, but that's why they're call 'exceptions'. If we insist on 'equal education' then that means equal funding.
And yes, children in non-performing schools DO deserve a chance. That is my point! How can we expect schools to perform in a similar fashion and kids educated at a similar level when we insist on funding schools based on where their parents live and how much they earn? It's a virtual life sentence to keep the less-well-off less well off, as a group. Sure, there will always be exceptional students that can rise above structural problems, but that's why they're call 'exceptions'. If we insist on 'equal education' then that means equal funding.
Look at this video of Tim Kaine questioning the hugely unqualified Betsy DeVos: https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/national/tim-kaine-to-betsy-devos-d...
Then weep twice. Once because Tim Kaine will not be our vice president, and the second time for the insulting vacuousness of this person nominated to guide the education of our children and grandchildren.
Then weep twice. Once because Tim Kaine will not be our vice president, and the second time for the insulting vacuousness of this person nominated to guide the education of our children and grandchildren.
3
Are all these Cabinet picks intentionally anti-government so they can facilitate a Russian takeover or something?
3
Her qualifications: she's an 'outsider' ! and a very wealthy bully that can afford to throw legal thunderbolts at and generally run over those who disagree with her. There are also questions about her competence as an administrator, her ability to relate to the vast and important constituency that interacts with public education, and her relevance to the position, which requires specialized knowledge and technical abilities.
Just so you know what you are getting.
There is a big country with a very large cadre of educational professionals that dedicate their lives to their cause and their students, usually for very little monetary reward; many have in effect, taken vows of poverty. But make no mistake; there is no shortage of intelligent, talented, qualified people. So by any measure, this is a very poor choice for this public policy position (which calls into question the competence of the guy making the appointment). One suspects that it is, in fact, by design... to wreck a portion of the federal government and sow chaos. There might be a reasonable argument to support experimentation in some areas, but this is the harbinger of a wholesale dismantling.
Just so you know what you are getting.
There is a big country with a very large cadre of educational professionals that dedicate their lives to their cause and their students, usually for very little monetary reward; many have in effect, taken vows of poverty. But make no mistake; there is no shortage of intelligent, talented, qualified people. So by any measure, this is a very poor choice for this public policy position (which calls into question the competence of the guy making the appointment). One suspects that it is, in fact, by design... to wreck a portion of the federal government and sow chaos. There might be a reasonable argument to support experimentation in some areas, but this is the harbinger of a wholesale dismantling.
2
It seems to me that with her support of school voucher, which go of course to schools with an emphasis on Christian teachings, that diversity is not on her agenda. Charter schools divert money from public schools with little, if any, differences in the outcome of education. Vouchers make the tax payer pay for education in parochial schools. Education is about individuals - it is not about business. Privatizing makes schools a profit/loss system. I am sick of people with their own agendas telling the rest of us what education should be like. DeVos doesn't seem to have had any experience as an educator, has no idea what is involved in a public education system, nor does she have any interest in anything but filling the pockets of private enterprise. Hmmm, just like so many of DT's picks. Disgusting.
5
This woman is using the trope "choice" as a tool to create little white Christian schools in little white neighborhoods with little white Republican families of little white family values. This is just a Jim Jones-style cult in heels and pearls. As the dream goes cult evolves into shadow state thence into theocracy. DeVos is a Stepford Jihadist.
10
The concept of Trump University comes to our nation's public schools...teach little but charge a lot. Increasing ignorance will preserve GOP power.
9
Ms. DeVos may be wealthy but she is not in any way qualified or has the necessary experience to fill this role. Any Political Leader who approves her appointment should never be elected again. I can't believe Trump's team couldn't find a very qualified person for this position. I don't believe they even tried to find a qualified person.
6
Highly unqualified billionaire DeVos seeks to decimate public education by diverting taxpayer money away to private charter and religious schools, much as she's enabled in Michigan, to disastrous effect. The only 'experience' she has is donating massive amounts of money towards politicians furthering her ruinous agenda. The stench of pay-to-play politics emanates from this appointee, not to mention her alarming donations to organizations espousing 'conversion therapy' for LGBT people. It isn't about 'choice' at all, it's about pushing profit (and segregation) at the expense of our children and their future. Trump has an uncanny ability to find the worst possible candidates for his posts!
67
Editors - please allow me to withdraw a brief note I sent you at about 1:20 pm re DeVos confirmation hearings. It was based on incomplete knowledge on my part.......
Than you,
Maddy GREIF
Waterford, act
Than you,
Maddy GREIF
Waterford, act
How long will it last for taxpayers to send checks to pay for their neighbors' children to attend schools that teach religious indoctrination? These are hand-outs and wealth redistribution. Another sign that these people are radical and not conservative. Please ask her about her ties to Black Water - another privatization attempt with tragic consequences for our country.
4
Is there anyone in this cabinet who is not either a billionaire or a general?
6
What is wrong with success?
1
[[Joe Colorado
What is wrong with success?]]
Many things can be "wrong" with success, or with the path to "success." Google Donald Trump's history in Atlantic City. But but anyway, how about we get some people in the administration who are actually successful in the areas of government they will direct?
What is wrong with success?]]
Many things can be "wrong" with success, or with the path to "success." Google Donald Trump's history in Atlantic City. But but anyway, how about we get some people in the administration who are actually successful in the areas of government they will direct?
President-elect Donald Trump designated Al Capone to head the FBI. He seemed very disappointed when he was informed that Mr. Capone had died long time ago.
7
Offer a few thousand dollars to a family that already was going to send their children to a private school, and it is just a rebate. It is not giving their children the opportunity for private school. They already have it. Meanwhile, those thousands are taken away from public schools.
Offer a few thousand dollars to a low income family and they STILL WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD PRIVATE SCHOOLS (especially if those schools raise prices, knowing that there are government subsidies.) So for them, it will not actually enhance their possibility to attend a private school.
Will it extend that option for SOME families? Probably. But not nearly as much as the philosophy implies just as the actual amount of "trickle down" is much less than imagined. Meanwhile, the public schools languish and it's not clear that the private schools are necessarily better.
Basically it is just part of the global process of lowering the cost of wages (some certified charter school teachers make as little as $32,000/year in Indiana) as well as cutting a service to the poor -- just part of the same process of transferring more wealth from the lower income groups to the upper ones.
Offer a few thousand dollars to a low income family and they STILL WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD PRIVATE SCHOOLS (especially if those schools raise prices, knowing that there are government subsidies.) So for them, it will not actually enhance their possibility to attend a private school.
Will it extend that option for SOME families? Probably. But not nearly as much as the philosophy implies just as the actual amount of "trickle down" is much less than imagined. Meanwhile, the public schools languish and it's not clear that the private schools are necessarily better.
Basically it is just part of the global process of lowering the cost of wages (some certified charter school teachers make as little as $32,000/year in Indiana) as well as cutting a service to the poor -- just part of the same process of transferring more wealth from the lower income groups to the upper ones.
8
I've never understood how siphoning off money from the public education coffers for charter schools helps improve the public schools in general. Why not use all this time and effort to help improve public schools? Am I missing something?
5
You are missing how obsessively fanatical some people are about claiming to know what God thinks about things to make them non-negotiable.
2
Charter schools are public schools.
"We give up, so let profiteers have at it."
On whose tax base?
On whose tax base?
Schools should be incented to educate children, not turn a profit. When you bring big business into education, profit is prioritized over student progress.
5
Betsy DeVos actually has a great idea for funding public schools. Once she is Secretary of Education, she wants to find four people to also pay to be Secretary of Education, and then each of them will find four people, and each of them will find four people, and so on. No, really, it works!
15
Vouchers are a false chocie. Saying it allows poor parents to find the best education for their children is ignoring all the roadblocks in the way of that utopian dream.
Will the vouchers magically create the necessary public transportation system to get the poor children to school? Will it create private quality schools located where the poor live? Will the fees and charges for labs or books also be paid for by the voucher?
What kind of schooling will those who cannot attend religious or private school be a quality education when those schools remaining in public schools are drained of any funds to actual do their job? Will these private schools take on the task of educating special needs children?
No, this "choice" argument is just a cover for allowing private organizations to start making a profit off the educating of our children. It will emphazise the class system that has already taken hold in this country with the rich educating their children for the future and the poor having to accept their children being prepared for their lower place in our society. Terrible just terrible.
Do not allow this unqualified individual, who due to her money and contributions, that is being pushed upon us as the Secretary of Education to be confirmed.
Will the vouchers magically create the necessary public transportation system to get the poor children to school? Will it create private quality schools located where the poor live? Will the fees and charges for labs or books also be paid for by the voucher?
What kind of schooling will those who cannot attend religious or private school be a quality education when those schools remaining in public schools are drained of any funds to actual do their job? Will these private schools take on the task of educating special needs children?
No, this "choice" argument is just a cover for allowing private organizations to start making a profit off the educating of our children. It will emphazise the class system that has already taken hold in this country with the rich educating their children for the future and the poor having to accept their children being prepared for their lower place in our society. Terrible just terrible.
Do not allow this unqualified individual, who due to her money and contributions, that is being pushed upon us as the Secretary of Education to be confirmed.
5
What an idiot. There's no other word for it. She has no idea what she's talking about and even her slogans don't pass the laugh test. Yes, "one-size-fits-all" is a terrible approach to education -- what's not clear is why taking a different approach requires gutting public education. There are models all over the world of very successful public education systems that offer significant choice ("tracking") to students based on their aptitudes and backgrounds.
The only reason we can't do that in our public education system here is because we lack the workforce for it. That's why Republicans push these Charter schools, which don't require "teachers" to be even minimally qualified for the job. Ironically that works out just fine (from an operational standpoint, anyway), because within those Charter systems all the teachers do is regurgitate a one-size-fits-all corporate-curated curriculum designed to bludgeon children into obedient little worker drones.
Sen. Sanders hit the mark (though I think it was accidental). There are three necessary solutions to the problems in our public education system:
1) Tuition-free college, so that nobody's potential is wasted and,
2) Pay teachers what they're worth, so that the vocation attracts talent and,
3) Scrap garbage like Common Core and Let Teachers Teach Again.
Smart, passionate, educated teachers with small class sizes and programs tailored to students' strengths. It's not rocket science, but "nothing in life is truly free". True that.
The only reason we can't do that in our public education system here is because we lack the workforce for it. That's why Republicans push these Charter schools, which don't require "teachers" to be even minimally qualified for the job. Ironically that works out just fine (from an operational standpoint, anyway), because within those Charter systems all the teachers do is regurgitate a one-size-fits-all corporate-curated curriculum designed to bludgeon children into obedient little worker drones.
Sen. Sanders hit the mark (though I think it was accidental). There are three necessary solutions to the problems in our public education system:
1) Tuition-free college, so that nobody's potential is wasted and,
2) Pay teachers what they're worth, so that the vocation attracts talent and,
3) Scrap garbage like Common Core and Let Teachers Teach Again.
Smart, passionate, educated teachers with small class sizes and programs tailored to students' strengths. It's not rocket science, but "nothing in life is truly free". True that.
6
Devos is just one more termite in the incoming administration, hollowing out the wood that supports the edifice of our nation.
The Enlightenment, science and the founding principles are to be toppled.
Cherished values such as separation of church and state will be undermined as parents with vouchers send their children off to fundamentalist schools.
Science will be in retreat as religious-minded parents refuse to have their kids taught evolution.
Jefferson will be removed from all textbooks as the Texas state board of education demanded.
The founding fathers would groan with despair at the farce and tragedy that has befallen this great nation. Greatness is being stripped from it by the incessant Republican onslaught that began with Reagan and sees its culmination in Trump.
Betsy Devos is simply another termite in Trump's cabinet(ry), chosen to carve her own wormhole adjacent to the ones of Mnuchin, Tillerson and Sessions.
Nero had a fiddle. Trump has his tweet account. And the termites will begin gnawing away at what makes us great.
The Enlightenment, science and the founding principles are to be toppled.
Cherished values such as separation of church and state will be undermined as parents with vouchers send their children off to fundamentalist schools.
Science will be in retreat as religious-minded parents refuse to have their kids taught evolution.
Jefferson will be removed from all textbooks as the Texas state board of education demanded.
The founding fathers would groan with despair at the farce and tragedy that has befallen this great nation. Greatness is being stripped from it by the incessant Republican onslaught that began with Reagan and sees its culmination in Trump.
Betsy Devos is simply another termite in Trump's cabinet(ry), chosen to carve her own wormhole adjacent to the ones of Mnuchin, Tillerson and Sessions.
Nero had a fiddle. Trump has his tweet account. And the termites will begin gnawing away at what makes us great.
3
There is a problem with this. Corruption and theft. Florida, which was championed by JEB! as a great example of charter school success has big problems. Schools often close down suddenly, leaving parents scrambling.
In one recent case, a company called Newpoint Education Partners, which does business in Florida and Ohio (another state with regulations you can sail a cruise ship through). The scam is basically this. The same management company that runs the school also owns the real estate where the school ends up, or builds a building. They lease the building to the management company at exorbitant rates. The management company, or people associated with the management company end up supplying the school's needs - computers, furniture, etc. etc. In this one case in St. Petersburg, this company cooked the books and had a large sum entered as a loan. It was money laundering. They also had a lackey as chairman of the board of directors. Parents started wondering just where all the supplies were that they were supposed to see, which weren't showing up. The scam fell apart, there is now an indictment and we'll see what happens, but the school is gone.
Ms. Devos will not fight for the kinds of changes that are needed here, or in for-profit colleges. She probably has lobbied against these kinds of reforms. Trump said he was going to "drain the swamp", right? Well, here's a swamp. Is Ms. Devos really going to drain it or make the swamp larger? Sad!
In one recent case, a company called Newpoint Education Partners, which does business in Florida and Ohio (another state with regulations you can sail a cruise ship through). The scam is basically this. The same management company that runs the school also owns the real estate where the school ends up, or builds a building. They lease the building to the management company at exorbitant rates. The management company, or people associated with the management company end up supplying the school's needs - computers, furniture, etc. etc. In this one case in St. Petersburg, this company cooked the books and had a large sum entered as a loan. It was money laundering. They also had a lackey as chairman of the board of directors. Parents started wondering just where all the supplies were that they were supposed to see, which weren't showing up. The scam fell apart, there is now an indictment and we'll see what happens, but the school is gone.
Ms. Devos will not fight for the kinds of changes that are needed here, or in for-profit colleges. She probably has lobbied against these kinds of reforms. Trump said he was going to "drain the swamp", right? Well, here's a swamp. Is Ms. Devos really going to drain it or make the swamp larger? Sad!
6
For everyone that says, "let's give her a try, public education is a failure," look at my state, Maine. LePage has put in business friendly, non-public experienced people in many positions and we are worse off for it. Most of them are way over their heads in trying to run their departments, but don't ultimately care. Guess what, they want to see government institutions fail, so they can profit via private companies that are waiting to swoop in and make money at the cost of rights, and accountability. Because if a business fails, they go out of business and usually the people making the most money walk away doing just fine while everyone else suffers from their incompetence. How about saying NO to this nominee, and asking for a better one.
12
Something happened to Public Education after 1970.
I have met people who graduate from High Schools before World War II
who received a better education than those graduating from College in
2015.
It seems that many Public Schools are controlled by the Children/Bureaucrats
and not the Teachers.
Perhaps every child should receive a Voucher and be free to attend the
school of their choice.
I have met people who graduate from High Schools before World War II
who received a better education than those graduating from College in
2015.
It seems that many Public Schools are controlled by the Children/Bureaucrats
and not the Teachers.
Perhaps every child should receive a Voucher and be free to attend the
school of their choice.
1
One big problem with charters & vouchers (besides the fact that students perform no better & often worse than they did in public schools) is that these "choice" programs compete with an advantage. They don't have to abide by the same regulations, yet get the same money per pupil. Public schools have to accept every student that applies, but charters and voucher recipients can limit their enrollment or not accept children with disabilities. If these programs had to follow the same rules as regular public schools, then I think you'd see them scream bloody murder.
But this is not about improving schools -- it's about destroying public education and give sweet deals to rich people who want to get tax dollars to help them send their kids to private schools.
But this is not about improving schools -- it's about destroying public education and give sweet deals to rich people who want to get tax dollars to help them send their kids to private schools.
6
Devos advocacy for a voucher system is a strategic ploy to boost the influence of the Christian Right. With churches loosing more market share Year by year this is a way to strengthen the brand. When it comes to religion these far right billionaires don't believe in free market competition because they know that their bigoted brand of Christianity is a dying proposition. If they can steer more students to religious schools then they can indoctrinate in hopes of recruiting brand loyal consumers.
I would ask Ms. Devos to put her personal views aside and support quality public education and the constitution's separation of church and state. America is great because of our public educational system. It is not great because billionaires can buy their way into government positions to shape the world towards an imagined moral theocracy.
I would ask Ms. Devos to put her personal views aside and support quality public education and the constitution's separation of church and state. America is great because of our public educational system. It is not great because billionaires can buy their way into government positions to shape the world towards an imagined moral theocracy.
7
Let's get real about the public-private school funding issue. As i was growing up in the 50s and 60s the vast majority of private schools were Catholic while the remainder were "prep" schools which were supported by private tuition. Any attempt to provide government support to the Catholic schools was shut down quickly by the powers that be, primarily because of anti-Catholic prejudice.
Then the civil rights battle erupted and the South refused to integrate the public schools--and so began the growth of private academies--usually church
affiliated; as one South Carolina US Senator said " Prior to integration we had 11 private schools, now we have 1100". All of a sudden Evangelicals--who had previously battled against funds for Catholic schools decided public funding wasnt so bad. All of a sudden, the republican party decided that was a great idea which would help them win elections and attract voters.
Ms DeVos is completely unqualified to be the head of the Department of Education.
Then the civil rights battle erupted and the South refused to integrate the public schools--and so began the growth of private academies--usually church
affiliated; as one South Carolina US Senator said " Prior to integration we had 11 private schools, now we have 1100". All of a sudden Evangelicals--who had previously battled against funds for Catholic schools decided public funding wasnt so bad. All of a sudden, the republican party decided that was a great idea which would help them win elections and attract voters.
Ms DeVos is completely unqualified to be the head of the Department of Education.
13
Vouchers to use at private or religious schools open a huge can of worms. Private schools would still be beyond the means of the poor families DeVos purports to be advocating for. The voucher would rarely cover anything close to the full bill.
Even worse: religious schools control the amount of instructional time spent on religion, often at the expense of instructional time for reading, writing, math, social studies and science. For example, read this NYT report about yeshivas in NYC wherein students study torah all day and fit in a tiny bit of English Language Arts and Math after 3:00. High school graduates, though born here (even 2nd or 3rd generation), are classified as "ESL" students since Yiddish is the language at home and school. Graduates struggle with high unemployment and poverty, since they are woefully prepared for the job market. Taxpayer money (via vouchers) would support religious schools which produce graduates with low literacy in English and only rudimentary math and science skills. As the article indicates, non-religious curriculum areas are considered "profane." Not to single out any religion, just one example among many. Not enough space to even discuss the appropriateness of public money being used to teach a particular set of religious beliefs.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/23/nyregion/a-yeshiva-graduate-fights-for...
Even worse: religious schools control the amount of instructional time spent on religion, often at the expense of instructional time for reading, writing, math, social studies and science. For example, read this NYT report about yeshivas in NYC wherein students study torah all day and fit in a tiny bit of English Language Arts and Math after 3:00. High school graduates, though born here (even 2nd or 3rd generation), are classified as "ESL" students since Yiddish is the language at home and school. Graduates struggle with high unemployment and poverty, since they are woefully prepared for the job market. Taxpayer money (via vouchers) would support religious schools which produce graduates with low literacy in English and only rudimentary math and science skills. As the article indicates, non-religious curriculum areas are considered "profane." Not to single out any religion, just one example among many. Not enough space to even discuss the appropriateness of public money being used to teach a particular set of religious beliefs.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/23/nyregion/a-yeshiva-graduate-fights-for...
6
While choices in education sound like an ideal situation, we must not lose sight of who does the choosing. Because those institutions that come up with a "favored" reputation receive more applications than they have school desks, admission will necessarily be selective - that's right - THE SCHOOL CHOOSES, NOT THE PARENT OR CHILD. I taught 5th grade for a few years back in the 60's - conversations in teacher's rooms were sometimes not what one expects - they always wanted to be rid of this or that "little troublemaker" and not always for a just or fair reason - but little Johnny or Susie had worked their way under that teachers' skin. Public schools, by definition, are required to take all students. Charter or private schools are not bound by these requirements - and putting effort into "regulating" student bodies is not what most parents think of when offered "choice". Add to that that charter or voucher schools may require expensive transportation to get there - please pay careful attention that the public neighborhood schools remain the most important cog in our education system. Ms. DeVos does NOT seem to be a good choice for Sec. of Education.
5
She has publicly demonstrated what a private school education achieves - ignorance and a severe lack of cognitive abilities. I only watched a few minutes of the hearing and she made at least two grammatical errors, showed she couldn't understand basic questions or even theorize simple ideas, and demonstrated she has zero knowledge of public education policy or law.
I'm not saying she was born stupid nor am I saying all private school education is bad. I'm saying she has not developed basic cognitive skills and her private school education was a failure. In no way is she qualified to apply for an entry level teaching assistant or administrative position so it's a joke that she is sitting before this committee.
This country's public school system is the single most important asset for our future.
I'm not saying she was born stupid nor am I saying all private school education is bad. I'm saying she has not developed basic cognitive skills and her private school education was a failure. In no way is she qualified to apply for an entry level teaching assistant or administrative position so it's a joke that she is sitting before this committee.
This country's public school system is the single most important asset for our future.
20
This is so concerning. Ms. DeVos obviously has no hands on experience with what she's talking about. I live in a community with several public charter schools. They are almost impossible to get into. You get placed into a lottery BUT parents that have been on boards before get "special treatment." So, again regular people lose the ability to get their kids into the better schools that we are paying taxes for. On top of that we have lotteries in the city schools. So, this is really stressful for parents and children. It also means that certain public schools are automatically better leaving underprivileged children in a tougher situation. I can't imagine dealing with all the crazy if I was a single parent working multiple jobs. You just wouldn't have the time to research all the choices. I barely do as a working mother with a spouse. It's all so overwhelming. More choice doesn't mean better schools. It means privileged children are still getting the upper hand. I see it everyday.
7
and so it goes....
2
It was a sad situation that none of the senators questioned Ms DeVos about curricular matters, in particular her views on climate change education as part of the STEM principles. One of the factors for this omission is the fact that senators only had five minutes to question a candidate who had not even submitted her required papers.
8
The republicans would never have accepted that from democrats. We who are watching are getting rushed through this process too. Demand more time, more questions. I demand it. They had no problem grilling Hillary for 11 hours yet democrats get five minutes. They are laughing at how we Dems don't fight back end masse and in unity. Why the democrats didn't insist that all required papers be submitted before any hearings is beyond me. Why let them all cut corners and break rules?
48
IHanlon,
The democrats did insist that all required papers be processed before hears, but the Republicans (who has the power to manage these proceedings) ignore these demands. Read https://thinkprogress.org/mitch-mcconnell-confirmation-ethics-hypocrisy-...
McConnell ignored these pleas from democrats, yet 8 years ago, he demanded the same things during Obama's transition. See attached link and read McConnell's letter of 8 years ago. McConnell is a hypocrite when it suits his party!
The democrats did insist that all required papers be processed before hears, but the Republicans (who has the power to manage these proceedings) ignore these demands. Read https://thinkprogress.org/mitch-mcconnell-confirmation-ethics-hypocrisy-...
McConnell ignored these pleas from democrats, yet 8 years ago, he demanded the same things during Obama's transition. See attached link and read McConnell's letter of 8 years ago. McConnell is a hypocrite when it suits his party!
3
If she is confirmed, let's please BEG all senior Education Dept. employees to stay in place, even if they have to hold their noses every work day. We need their competence to thwart DeVos' nutty ideas and sinister modus operandi.
3
This was not a partisan debate. The Democratic Senators questions pointed out that DeVos is completely unqualified to lead the Department of Education.
11
Yes, for DeVos, "choice" (a highly valued, over-used buzz word in American society) will lead to huge gaps between haves and have-nots. Income inequality will increase as education standards for lower income groups drop.
Ms. DeVos is an elitist. Her measures are tantamount to de facto segregation.
Not good for our kids, not good for the country.
Ms. DeVos is an elitist. Her measures are tantamount to de facto segregation.
Not good for our kids, not good for the country.
8
" including in companies that stand to win or lose from federal education policy"
This alone should disqualify her. But it doesn't matter for Trump, so why bother.
This alone should disqualify her. But it doesn't matter for Trump, so why bother.
3
I taught in public schools for over 30 years. I always believed in choice, that is, choice within the public school. Not draining much needed funds to charter schools. And then the testing frenzy began in the early 2000's with No Child Left Behind. Suddenly we were forced to teach to the test or get labeled a failing school. The joy of teaching, being creative, teaching with passion, warped into a joyless test prep, for the next benchmark test of the week to see if the child mastered that goal, in the format of the super test at the end of the year that could determine if you have a job the following year.
So hence, you teach to the test. No wonder the children are so stressed out. Instead of loving learning, they are fearing the tests and only ask, Is it on the test? Schools only fail if they are not cared for, especially when the going gets tough. I hope compassion returns, and this billionaire is not confirmed.
So hence, you teach to the test. No wonder the children are so stressed out. Instead of loving learning, they are fearing the tests and only ask, Is it on the test? Schools only fail if they are not cared for, especially when the going gets tough. I hope compassion returns, and this billionaire is not confirmed.
3
When policies are not working they should be amended or abandoned for a more flexible and creative one. Learning should be fun. Instead, ideology rushes in, especially in this Republican choice of candidates, and on the state level as well. Imagine, Jim Inhofe heading the environment committee! Administrators in education in many cases do not understand the problems. DeVos has never attended a public school and her answer to how to fix them seems to be vouchers and charter schools. That's it! She will refund public schools and then ignore them. She said she would leave it to the states to decide if they would educate children with disabilities or not. OMG! That is both appalling and disqualifying.
1
I don't wish to be rude - and perhaps Betsy DeVos is a nice lady.
However, she is completely unqualified for the position she seeks.
The hearings, and especially Senator Franken's questioning of her, made that abundantly clear.
However, she is completely unqualified for the position she seeks.
The hearings, and especially Senator Franken's questioning of her, made that abundantly clear.
8
Our experience with a private school was absolutely terrible and made me realize that private schools have no accountability - unlike public schools. After sitting in on a math lesson at my child's expensive private school, I knew I had to move her PRONTO. She was very behind academically after the move to our local public school, but my child is now in advanced learning in the public school system. I have ONLY GREAT things to say about the public school system and the AMAZING teachers that dedicate their lives to excellence every day despite having to work with very limited budgets. I think we should stop buying into this idea that private schools are better and we should be brave enough to point out that the Emperor is not wearing clothes.
7
And I thought Democrats were Pro-Choice!
1
You have a choice. Send your child to a public school, homeschool your child, or spend your own money on a private school. Do you also only want to pay for the highways you drive on? Only want to pay for the sewage treatment plants, power stations, and water systems that only you utilize? That's just so un-American. We are all one country, grow up and be a true citizen. Tough guy hiding behind a Clint Eastwood avatar, give me a break!
1
There's a huge difference between the teachings of Christ and the right-wing propaganda taught at many of the so-called Christian schools that this woman and her ilk support. Most Americans don't want their hard-earned tax dollars going to pay for these religious madrasses and their un-American and elitist "we're better than you" approach to education.
8
If Betsy thinks that the American people will accept having their tax dollars fund Islamic madrassas and ultra orthodox Hebrew yeshivas, she has another think coming. We're all free to choose parochial or private schools for our children -- as long as we pay for them out of our own pockets, Using tax dollars for private schools will only divide Americans even further apart and guarantee greater impoverishment of the education of the poor.
9
I taught for a for-profit school funded by public money. I was assigned three hundred high school students. The only talk at staff meeting was about keeping students enrolled by meeting the minimum standard of 5% progress per month. Progress meant attempting 5% of the curriculum, not necessarily passing 5%. If students did not meet that low mark, staff were belittled and harassed, like scenes out of Glengarry Glen Ross. When public funds go to for-profit companies, the business focus is on dollars and lip service to learning.
11
I assume Mrs. DeVos will pass as will all of Mr. Trump's candidates, but I have to say it was painful watching Mrs. DeVos -- she seemed incapable of answering even the simplest questions -- maybe she was nervous? Although I think it is more arrogance and ignorance that seems to drive her. Clearly, she is unfit for this job and it's embarrassing for the republicans to push her forward when there are so many qualified people who could fill this position. It's been disheartening to watch the President-Elect make selections solely based on partisanship when he lost the popular vote by such a huge margin -- more than 73 Million Americans did not vote for him and he continues to ignore them. Mrs. DeVos is a perfect example of this partisanship. Her only experience is that she gave millions to republican campaigns and did some mentoring once in a public school -- that should be a red flag to reject her candidacy, but clearly it will not.
10
"Ms. DeVos, who did not attend public schools or send her children to public schools, argued that vouchers and charter schools were simply a way of offering poor parents the kind of school choice that wealthy parents have long been able to afford."
Her statement of offering poor parents the same choice as wealthy parents can afford is totally erroneous, disingenuous, and patently false. It's a trope often used by those against public education. In no way, shape or form do vouchers or charter schools ever come close to equaling the cost of schools wealthy parents send their children. There's no way a "voucher" will ever come close to covering the annual tuition cost of Cranbrook Schools ($28,300), University Liggett ($21,000-$26,000), Detroit Country Day ($27,000) or other private schools located in Michigan attended by the children of wealthy parents. What a voucher will often provide in Michigan is a private, for-profit school with vastly underpaid teaching staff with many located in decrepit buildings and no state oversight whatsoever.
Her statement of offering poor parents the same choice as wealthy parents can afford is totally erroneous, disingenuous, and patently false. It's a trope often used by those against public education. In no way, shape or form do vouchers or charter schools ever come close to equaling the cost of schools wealthy parents send their children. There's no way a "voucher" will ever come close to covering the annual tuition cost of Cranbrook Schools ($28,300), University Liggett ($21,000-$26,000), Detroit Country Day ($27,000) or other private schools located in Michigan attended by the children of wealthy parents. What a voucher will often provide in Michigan is a private, for-profit school with vastly underpaid teaching staff with many located in decrepit buildings and no state oversight whatsoever.
99
Ms. DeVos is just the latest example of a Trump nominee who has NO BUSINESS heading the department she has been named to lead.
During her hearing, whenever she couldn't or wouldn't answer a question from the panel, she stated: "Thank you, Senator (fill in the blank) for that question. I look forward to working with you." She lacked the courage to even say the obvious: "I'm not going to answer your question."
It was a pathetic performance, by a person who never should have been nominated in the first place.
Please, please, Senate, don't confirm this woman!
During her hearing, whenever she couldn't or wouldn't answer a question from the panel, she stated: "Thank you, Senator (fill in the blank) for that question. I look forward to working with you." She lacked the courage to even say the obvious: "I'm not going to answer your question."
It was a pathetic performance, by a person who never should have been nominated in the first place.
Please, please, Senate, don't confirm this woman!
9
Simply, no, to DeVoss! She is unqualified and this position is too critical to hand it over to a woman who is clearly hell vent on destroying Public Education!
No!
No!
6
Even without listening to the total lack of candor and occasional ignorance in her answers to the committee, Ms. DeVos' assertion that public education is "one size fits all" tells me either she has had pretty much zero exposure to what goes on there, is totally opposed to it or both.
3
I'm afraid that in our twitter world this ridiculous hearing, which completely exposed her ineptitude and lack of any experience, will get boiled down to needing guns to mow down invading grizzlies on the playgrounds. Just as the report on the enormous level of Russian interference got boiled down to pee jokes. This is in no way amusing. It's terrifying. We have someone who adamantly doesn't believe in public school education or in the separation of church and state,being put in charge of the whole department. This is not in any way acceptable, even in the surreal universe of a Trump presidency.
5
I'm in full support of evaluating our current education model and making changes to positively impact our youth. When you look at how US children compare against their counterparts in other countries it's laughable and we're falling further and further behind every year.
That said, I do believe that there should be a base line level of accomplishment that every student should be required to achieve in order to graduate. The variation between states and even within states is crazy. I believe Common Core is an excellent effort to remedy this problem.
Lastly, I have no issues with parents using state dollars to subsidize education at an alternative school, so long as (1) the school is required to take any and all that apply. No cherry picking like the prestigious private schools do today, the public schools are not allowed to do this and (2) it should not be religious based. If you want to indoctrinate your child into religion do it on your own dime.
That said, I'm interested in innovative ideas that will help turn around the educational promise of our youth, because they really are our future.
That said, I do believe that there should be a base line level of accomplishment that every student should be required to achieve in order to graduate. The variation between states and even within states is crazy. I believe Common Core is an excellent effort to remedy this problem.
Lastly, I have no issues with parents using state dollars to subsidize education at an alternative school, so long as (1) the school is required to take any and all that apply. No cherry picking like the prestigious private schools do today, the public schools are not allowed to do this and (2) it should not be religious based. If you want to indoctrinate your child into religion do it on your own dime.
That said, I'm interested in innovative ideas that will help turn around the educational promise of our youth, because they really are our future.
3
Another candidate with NO EXPERIENCE in the field she's supposedly picked to head. ALL her "charter schools" have done WORSE than the public schools in her district. Her ideas DON'T WORK. She's UNQUALIFIED.
She should be soundly rejected by the committee.
She should be soundly rejected by the committee.
4
Choice is no choice when you have no accountability.
Choice is no choice when you have to worry about whether buses will pick up your child from the school you chose, or if they have to rely on public transportation, or worse yet, a parent to get them to that school.
And as we've seen in our health care system, choice is no choice when there are profits to be made by mega-hospital systems or drug manufacturers.
Fix the schools in neighborhoods so no choice is needed. I still vote to raise my property taxes every chance I get. My kids graduated years ago, but it's important that all children are given a chance to succeed. We all benefit.
Choice is no choice when you have to worry about whether buses will pick up your child from the school you chose, or if they have to rely on public transportation, or worse yet, a parent to get them to that school.
And as we've seen in our health care system, choice is no choice when there are profits to be made by mega-hospital systems or drug manufacturers.
Fix the schools in neighborhoods so no choice is needed. I still vote to raise my property taxes every chance I get. My kids graduated years ago, but it's important that all children are given a chance to succeed. We all benefit.
4
Let's call voucher programs for what they are -- sleight of hand segregation. The "choice" Devos and her supporters speak of is the "choice" for white, Christian families to cordon themselves off into their own educational enclaves. Frankly, I would like all of these backward people to sequester themselves from the greater public. What I object to, however, having my tax dollars support this endeavor.
11
The US ranks 17 out of 40 countries on education even though we're in the top five when it comes to per-pupil spending. Clearly, something isn't working and it's time for a fresh approach.
Depends on what state you're from. Massachusetts and Minnesota, if they were to be considered their own countries, would rank near the very top of the world. Other states, not so much.
(I seem to remember that neither Massachusetts nor Minnesota voted for Trump).
(I seem to remember that neither Massachusetts nor Minnesota voted for Trump).
1
But not this approach. Taxpayers shouldn't pay for private schools period. Fix the public schools that were ruined with bad policies and pay for your own private schools.
1
Misleading headline. The primary story from the transcripts of this hearing seems to be Ms. DeVos' ignorance of federal education law and her self-satisfaction despite her ignorance. She did not bother to increase her knowledge of education law for her hearing.
The more I read and hear, the more convinced I become that Mrs. DeVos' true agendas are diminishing govt involvement in education, period, however one can, and profiting from private education endeavors.
The more I read and hear, the more convinced I become that Mrs. DeVos' true agendas are diminishing govt involvement in education, period, however one can, and profiting from private education endeavors.
6
My biggest concern centers around the way the Republicans are rushing these confirmation hearings without benefit of background checks and by refusing a detailed questioning of the candidates. They’re simply going through the motions knowing full well that their minds have already been made up.
And when the head of the committee overseeing the hearing has been the recipient of the largesse of a candidate, and than makes off the chart rulings in favor of that candidate, it certainly doesn't pass the smell test.
These people know that they now run the country and they’re not even going through the motions to suggest fairness.
And when the head of the committee overseeing the hearing has been the recipient of the largesse of a candidate, and than makes off the chart rulings in favor of that candidate, it certainly doesn't pass the smell test.
These people know that they now run the country and they’re not even going through the motions to suggest fairness.
6
Why leave out the coverage of Bernie Sanders asking if she'd be sitting there today if her family had not donated $200 million to Republican candidates?
2
I have a Masters degree in Secondary Education from a prestigious, private University. Before that, I went to a well-off public school in the suburbs.
You know who Besty reminds me of? The professors I had in college. Each one of them was supposed to be teaching me how to be an effective high school English teacher. Instead, all these professors cared about was their research and University funding. They didn't care about their students, or how prepared their students were to teach in a classroom. Of all the professors I had in the Masters program, only 2 of them had even taught in the K-12 classroom.
"Pedagogy" (such a University buzzword) is not enough. These students need high-quality, accessible education in their communities. Period.
You know who Besty reminds me of? The professors I had in college. Each one of them was supposed to be teaching me how to be an effective high school English teacher. Instead, all these professors cared about was their research and University funding. They didn't care about their students, or how prepared their students were to teach in a classroom. Of all the professors I had in the Masters program, only 2 of them had even taught in the K-12 classroom.
"Pedagogy" (such a University buzzword) is not enough. These students need high-quality, accessible education in their communities. Period.
1
Let's all pray that in America today, the only thing that $200 million can buy you is the brief opportunity to make such stupid comments about guns in schools and grisly bears on such a large stage, AND NOT a powerful position entrusted with overseeing the education of our youth.
Add this spectacle to the arguments why Citizens United must be overruled!
Add this spectacle to the arguments why Citizens United must be overruled!
2
Let's all pray that in America, the only thing that $200 million can buy you is the brief opportunity to make such stupid comments about guns in schools and grisly bears on such a large stage, AND NOT a powerful position entrusted with overseeing the education of our youth.
Add this spectacle to the arguments why Citizens United must be overruled!
Add this spectacle to the arguments why Citizens United must be overruled!
1
Let me begin by stating, I too, am a supporter of school choice, albeit strong for charter schools but quite reserved on vouchers for the danger of public tax dollars going to religious schools. Missing from this article was any mention of Senator Frankin's query on whether DeVos would support "proficiency" or "growth" when it came to school/student accountability. DeVos appeared flustered and/or confused by the question indicating her basic ignorance of such an elementary concept. Not good, Betsy. Not good at all.
4
Thank you. That, plus her lack of awareness about the major law to protect children with disabilities, were shocking and frightening.
1
We're talking about the education and socialization of the next generation of citizens and voters. If that doesn't scare everyone who isn't already fully on the side of DeVos' hidden agenda, nothing will.
4
people who claim to 'serve God's kingdom' scare me. Now imagine one with this much power, shaping US policy.
I really don't see how private schools can help poor families, vouchers or no. Schools should be serving their local population, a shared space of learning for the children. Unless you have political/religious motivation to shape what is taught there, convinced 'your way' is better than everyone around you.
Here in Canada, education is mostly public, practically free and of high quality. It costs the same to become a doctor or a librarian. So everyone has a fair chance of attending medical school, rich or poor. My rich friends were didn't make the cut all went to become doctors in the US where deep pockets can get you anywhere.
I really don't see how private schools can help poor families, vouchers or no. Schools should be serving their local population, a shared space of learning for the children. Unless you have political/religious motivation to shape what is taught there, convinced 'your way' is better than everyone around you.
Here in Canada, education is mostly public, practically free and of high quality. It costs the same to become a doctor or a librarian. So everyone has a fair chance of attending medical school, rich or poor. My rich friends were didn't make the cut all went to become doctors in the US where deep pockets can get you anywhere.
5
It's interesting that rich people think they know everything,but as we just saw Mrs. Devos knows almost nothing about the department she wants to lead! She has an ideology and not much else. What's the fixation with religion in America? Looks a little crazy for everybody outside the Middle East.
5
Charter schools are just a way to get public money for private enterprises, just as private prisons do.
9
Mrs. DeVos has said publicly that she wants to use the schools to establish "God's Kingdom." What more condemnation of her nomination does anyone need?
6
Anyone who doesn't think that the whole charter school movement is simply a way for wealthy conservatives to destroy one of the last major unions in this country should ask themselves why people like DeVos don't seem to be as concerned about disadvantaged children living in homeless shelters or homes with rats, roaches, and lead pain as they say they are about their getting better educations.
5
There are two misleading headlines here! Ending "one-size-fits-all" education is rhetorical falsehood put forward by DeVos and her supporters, yet you present it as a statement, without context. Then as others have noted you follow up with charges of "partisanship" on the part of Democrats for asking tough and reasonable questions. The NYTimes is editorializing here to the benefit of republicans and the Trump administration.
5
DeVos does not want to move away from the "one size fits all" system, she wants to completely eliminate equal access to public schools.
5
The number one enemy of this administration is educated Americans, particularly liberal ones. Not ISIS, not Russia (we suddenly think very highly of Russia,) not poverty, not the uninsured, not China, not North Korea. The greatest threat this administration faces is educated Americans. DeVos make sense now?
3
Her lack of qualifications, knowledge and experience expose how little Trump value's education.
3
Erupts into partisan debate? What editor came up with that headline? How about let's talk about how the hearing was rushed with 5 minutes per senator. For crying out loud, they grilled Clinton for over 11 hours in one session and had at least half a dozen separate investigations. Doesn't a story about how Betsy DeVos is being rushed through committee so we don't have time to understand the damage that she will do to our children before she is confirmed.
3
Loved seeing the grilling of this uneducated literate by Bernie, Franken, and Warren. But Franken should not have asked her if she is personally anti-gay and pro-conversion therapy. Instead, he should have asked her if she went to a private school in which the textbooks taught creationism and anti-abortion indoctrination. Similarly, Senator Warren should have simply asked her to list all the federal rules that are in place to prevent scams such as 'Trump University'.
And can we take a look at DeVos's grades from school and college please?
And can we take a look at DeVos's grades from school and college please?
3
To those of you saying she should be given a chance because our schools are not working and we should try something new, study up on the results of Wisconsin's experiment with voucher schools over the past few decades. Not the greatest results. But proponents are not interested in results. They just want public money for their private schools.
How do we get better results from our education system? Well, research is pretty clear that the best solution is what it has been all along: involved, caring parents or parent.
How do we get better results from our education system? Well, research is pretty clear that the best solution is what it has been all along: involved, caring parents or parent.
4
They hate the fact that she believes that parents should have a choice in where to send their kids, besides, they rely on the teachers unions as their cash cow.
Can't have someone dry up their source of cash now can we!
Can't have someone dry up their source of cash now can we!
2
I wonder if anyone thought to ask Ms. DeVos when she last visited a public school. Given her lack of personal experience with public schools, it seems like the minimum amount of preparation she should have done before the hearing. Clearly, she hadn't done any other kind of preparation.
5
Any school can succeed if they select the better students and kick out those having or causing issues. What is left then for regular public schools after the cherry picking? Separately, has Betsy De Vos ever considered the implications of the lack of diversity in her own education?
5
I've seen religious schools in action--those that pay minimal lip service to mandated education, teach disrespect for others who are not part of their community, and basically raise generation upon generation of the uneducated, reliant on government assistance. Anyone who thinks that "one size fits all" is a bad idea needs to take a look at the NYS conflicts with radical religious groups in Brooklyn, Orange, and Rockland counties. "One size fits all" is a mechanism to ensuring that all within this country understand its premise and have basic skills that enable them to be productive members of societies.
2
Public schools need to be protected environments for all students, where special interests groups can't market their wares to young minds. Private individuals and companies selling who knows what have been salivating over public school kids for decades. They want a piece of that pie and that pie is your kid, such a delicious little untapped morsel, be it his/her mind or money. DeVos represents the crowd who wants to tear down any road block that prevent access to your child. Their tired old rhetoric about failing public schools should not scare you half as much as seeing your child as a means of revenue.
4
The article does not mention the woeful ignorance DeVos displayed about the laws regulating special education and would not commit 100% to ensuring that schools that receive federal funds also commit to accepting every child and implementing IDEA.
As the parent of a child with special needs, I am not at all reassured by her lack of knowledge and/or interest in special education.
And by the way, those vouchers she loves so much wouldn't even pay for a quarter of a year at most special ed schools. So the idea that vouchers are great for kids with special needs is totally untrue.
As the parent of a child with special needs, I am not at all reassured by her lack of knowledge and/or interest in special education.
And by the way, those vouchers she loves so much wouldn't even pay for a quarter of a year at most special ed schools. So the idea that vouchers are great for kids with special needs is totally untrue.
7
A religious extremist who does not believe in public schools and does not even believe in child labor laws as Secretary of Education, who knew the movie idiocracy was prophecy? And I bet trump supporters are already telling us all to give her a chance. I wonder at which point they will realize this affects them too.
6
Just seeing Joe Lieberman sitting behind her was enough for me...and everything that followed fit right in.
5
What a prostitute Joe is! Symbol of a lot of what's wrong in America!
"Education Pick Seeks to End ‘One Size Fits All’ System"
The translation for her stance is the GOP will "right size" the education of the poor, minorities, and non-evangelicals, i.e., downsize it back to Jim Crow days.
The translation for her stance is the GOP will "right size" the education of the poor, minorities, and non-evangelicals, i.e., downsize it back to Jim Crow days.
3
I have close to 40 years experience in public and private education, tests and measurement, curriculum and instruction, administration and direct classroom teaching across K-16. I feel confident in saying that this person is utterly unqualified to be so much as a K-12 superintendent, much less the US Secretary of Education. She threw the public education system under the bus in the first three minutes of her statement. The questions - in particular by Franken - exposed a dangerous ignorance on her part.
5
OK, we have,though all these years, the foxes watching the hen house. Can anyone point to the successes of the teacher-union lead school systems? Most large metro school systems are a disaster for those kids needing the help/guidance the most. Why not allow a potential game changer try to actually push for real change. DeVos is wealthy, sure, but I never heard those stories of FDR or JFK pulling themselves out of the slums and disadvantage to lead this country. Wealth should not necessarily prevent a person from serving this country.
Look a little closer to home: Obama is a public school beneficiary through and through.
1
While ideas like charter schools can sound great in theory, they have not worked out well at all for Michigan, Ms. DeVos's home state. Our student achievement rankings have fallen dramatically as charter schools have grown, and generally, they haven't performed better than public schools. Here's a good article about it.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/29/us/for-detroits-children-more-school-...
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/29/us/for-detroits-children-more-school-...
6
She will take away all the funding to states that support special education!!! They may have to go to the schools run by her company!!!
1
Go get em Betsy. We MUST try something different. 8 years of Democract in the White House and his cronies running every department and needle has not been moved on education. I say, shake it up.
Considering the GOP obstruction of the past 8 years--and Betsy DeVos as their 'bright idea' in response--I consider 'not been moved' to be a success!
As for your use of the word 'cronies'...do you even know what that means? Obama's nominees were certified, educated, experts and professionals with years of administrative experience in their fields. Betsy DeVos and the rest of the Trump team are the real cronies...nothing more than political donors and supporters, most of whom have never spent a day in public service or even doing anything in the jobs they're being appointed to (ie Ben Carson, for HUD Sec.) That's the definition of 'crony'...getting a job they know nothing about because of loyalty to their 'leader'.
As for your use of the word 'cronies'...do you even know what that means? Obama's nominees were certified, educated, experts and professionals with years of administrative experience in their fields. Betsy DeVos and the rest of the Trump team are the real cronies...nothing more than political donors and supporters, most of whom have never spent a day in public service or even doing anything in the jobs they're being appointed to (ie Ben Carson, for HUD Sec.) That's the definition of 'crony'...getting a job they know nothing about because of loyalty to their 'leader'.
Donald P. Trump...B.A. from the private Ivy League University of Pennsylvania. George W. Bush...B.A. from the private Ivy League Yale University, M.B.A. from the private Ivy League Harvard University. And Republicans believe that the "public schools" are failing Americans?
9
Make America More Stupider Again!
7
Betsy DeVos is determined to pour taxpayer dollars into religious schools hiding behind the "Charter School" facade. This woman is a disaster for public schools, but the likes of Schumer may support him because they love the funding of religions schools.
The Teachers union should've been a bit more proactive in changing their policies on hanging on to lousy teachers to avoid this type of hijacking of public school system.
The Teachers union should've been a bit more proactive in changing their policies on hanging on to lousy teachers to avoid this type of hijacking of public school system.
5
One size etc What does that even mean? At the schools in which I sub & in which I've taught, there are lots of choices for students with regard to courses & different levels for appropriate skills, & labs, workshops, etc, to strengthen skills in math , eng, languages etc.
in short, Betsy devos is full of...it.
in short, Betsy devos is full of...it.
7
I watched the entire hearing and I felt like I was at an Amway recruitment meeting. DeVos offered nothing of substance and repeated how she was all about empowering people. This is the same line of nonsense one would hear at an Amway meeting....its about empowering you to build your own business. No wonder she paid a 150 million dollar fine to the FTC for lying about how much you would make selling Amway.
7
School choice is a luxury for those who have the means to pay for it. A voucher simply robs the local taxpayer of THEIR choice as to whether they wish to support their local school district or some exclusive charter school that their kid can't get into. The whole system is set up not to improve outcomes but to cripple and ultimately destroy the public school system.
I get that there are districts where entrenched unions and inept administrators won't lead, follow or get out of the way but there are plenty that offer a quality education. Rather than gut the system maybe the GOP should work on improving what was once a world class education system.
I get that there are districts where entrenched unions and inept administrators won't lead, follow or get out of the way but there are plenty that offer a quality education. Rather than gut the system maybe the GOP should work on improving what was once a world class education system.
4
The GOP doesn't do 'fixing'. Too much work. So much easier (and profitable) to just light a match and watch it blow up. The GOP have become nothing more than a bunch of political pyromaniacs. That's what you get when an entire political party believes government is "a problem" rather than a necessary function of a civilized society.
College Board had to add 100 points to the SAT back in 1996 to help public education save face--and its bottom line. It has only gotten worse since while public school unions have prospered.
Try as she might, determined as she is to improve public education, DeVos will fail. Unfortunate, but the truth--too many vested interests in failure to succeed.
Giuliani had the best idea: Blow it up and start over.
Try as she might, determined as she is to improve public education, DeVos will fail. Unfortunate, but the truth--too many vested interests in failure to succeed.
Giuliani had the best idea: Blow it up and start over.
1
Public schools do not have one size fit all. There are programs for the severely disable to student preparing to go to college.
3
The article fails to note that 80 percent of the charter schools in DeVos's state of Michigan are for-profit but are failing students academically, and most articles on charter schools conclude that Michigan is a model for how not to run this educational option.
5
Your voucher will not get you in top schools. Some private schools are over 50,000 per year. You will have to come up with the funds to make up the difference. Private schools are for profit.
4
"Partisan"?
Since when is competency partisan?
Since when is hostility to public education in favor of charter schools partisan??
Especially in the leader of the nations public school leader.
Sad sad sad, NYT.
Since when is competency partisan?
Since when is hostility to public education in favor of charter schools partisan??
Especially in the leader of the nations public school leader.
Sad sad sad, NYT.
2
Enough whitewashing the issue. What do you get from private religious schools? Answer: brainwashed conservative sycophants like Clarence Thomas, who himself was brainwashed by Catholic schools. Conservatives want to brainwash America's poor children to become piously stupid low-wage workers who serve them on command and keep them in power indefinitely.
2
NPR reported yesterday that at least 4 of the members of the committee considering the nomination of Betsy DeVos were recipients of campaign contributions from her. How can it be that they will have votes in this matter?
6
Donald J. Trump said he wanted the best. Instead he choses the worst. Why is Betsy DeVos taking dollars from the poor and giving it to charter schools? How good are charter schools? We know how good or how bad a public school is. Do we ever know how good the charter school is?
3
When Republicans howl that hearings must stop until a Democrat administration's nominee has their ethics review finished, it stops. Why? Because Democrat constituents listen, and agree.
Why the tables turn, and Democrats howl to stop the hearings for the reviews, they don't stop. Why? Because Republican constituents don't care.
And there you have it. Current partisanship isn't a he said, she said seesaw. It's fueled by Republicans, who want a one-party state.
Why the tables turn, and Democrats howl to stop the hearings for the reviews, they don't stop. Why? Because Republican constituents don't care.
And there you have it. Current partisanship isn't a he said, she said seesaw. It's fueled by Republicans, who want a one-party state.
6
Someone should ask Ms. DeVos if she has ever actually stepped inside a public school or has any acquaintances with children in public schools. She seems ignorant of anything other than the agendas she has long pursued.
3
Our public education system has failed. It needs to be torn up and redone. Any change will force more change and is necessary to wake the industry/government employees up. Time to get started.
The photo caption states: "Betsy DeVos, in her hearing to be education secretary, said parents should be allowed to choose where their children attend school."
Parents are already allowed to do this.
But parents don't have a right to public taxpayer funding for their kids' *private* schools.
Parents are already allowed to do this.
But parents don't have a right to public taxpayer funding for their kids' *private* schools.
2
A pedestrian citizen such as myself could instantly see that Ms DeVos doesn't care too much about public education as a right for all children. She seems enough ensconced within her own sphere of privilege and belief to even be much aware of anything problematic about this.
The tone, found throughout these cabinet hearings, is one of breezy guile so accustomed to itself as to fool the owner. No wonder it's finding a gullible audience within congress.
The tone, found throughout these cabinet hearings, is one of breezy guile so accustomed to itself as to fool the owner. No wonder it's finding a gullible audience within congress.
1
Headline on this article: Betsy DeVos’s Education Hearing Erupts Into Partisan Debate.
Headline on an article in the Washington Post:
Six astonishing things Betsy DeVos said — and refused to say — at her confirmation hearing
The WaPo article goes into detail about how the nominee has no clue about education, other than trying to gut public schools in MI. The NYT article only gets into these issues several paragraphs down.
To echo Krugman's complaint: when, oh when, will we ever get to the point where the NYT does not publish articles entitled "Opinions on shape of earth differ"?
Headline on an article in the Washington Post:
Six astonishing things Betsy DeVos said — and refused to say — at her confirmation hearing
The WaPo article goes into detail about how the nominee has no clue about education, other than trying to gut public schools in MI. The NYT article only gets into these issues several paragraphs down.
To echo Krugman's complaint: when, oh when, will we ever get to the point where the NYT does not publish articles entitled "Opinions on shape of earth differ"?
1
She was asked a question that dealt with the concepts of "growth" and "proficiency" as they apply towards measuring the academic level of a child.
She had no idea what those terms were when used in the context of education.
DeVos probably gets some credit for focusing her life on education, but the path was made easier because she has been wealthy her whole life. What's a rich person to do?
However she sounds like she is opinion (knows what's best) oriented about education vs. academic trained oriented ( a person who has studied the science of education ). I am sure there are many individuals out there who are more erudite and experienced about education than DeVos and would make a better Sec. of Education. Unfortunately Trump only wants the wealthy around him, it's easier to relate.
She had no idea what those terms were when used in the context of education.
DeVos probably gets some credit for focusing her life on education, but the path was made easier because she has been wealthy her whole life. What's a rich person to do?
However she sounds like she is opinion (knows what's best) oriented about education vs. academic trained oriented ( a person who has studied the science of education ). I am sure there are many individuals out there who are more erudite and experienced about education than DeVos and would make a better Sec. of Education. Unfortunately Trump only wants the wealthy around him, it's easier to relate.
1
How many years DeVos attended public school? 0
How many of DeVos's children attended public school? 0
How many children attend public school? 50,000,000 +.
Personal investments that will benefit from her educ. policy choices? Check.
Zero experience running a bureaucracy? Check.
Zero experience and will enrich herself.
Perfect.
How many of DeVos's children attended public school? 0
How many children attend public school? 50,000,000 +.
Personal investments that will benefit from her educ. policy choices? Check.
Zero experience running a bureaucracy? Check.
Zero experience and will enrich herself.
Perfect.
6
Of course she can smile vacuously and never answer a question. She's confident that her ignorance is no barrier to access to a position of power in the Trump administration.
This is how her selection by Trump probably occurred. Her brother the billionaire mercenary and Trump adviser must have made her appointment a requirement of his continued "advice."
This is how her selection by Trump probably occurred. Her brother the billionaire mercenary and Trump adviser must have made her appointment a requirement of his continued "advice."
5
Don't believe the words that Betsy DeVos speak. She is married to one of the Amway founders, whose MLM scheme has continued to dupe millions to this very day.
This woman wants to gut public education while taking Federal money but not the requirements to her elitist Charter school friends. Have a problem child? Just ditch them in public school, they'll have 'options' there...
This woman wants to gut public education while taking Federal money but not the requirements to her elitist Charter school friends. Have a problem child? Just ditch them in public school, they'll have 'options' there...
5
I do not want my tax dollars going to line the pockets of private companies, whose primary concern is their return on investment, rather than the education of young citizens. Similarly, I do not want my tax dollars going to religious schools where the curriculum contains the proselytizing of religious belief.
This nomination is clearly and fundamentally wrong on both counts.
This nomination is clearly and fundamentally wrong on both counts.
7
What about the problems we have in America when it comes to parents being allowed to take their children out of classes that they find objectionable? What about the fact that some districts don't want to teach children about evolution because "it's just a theory" even though there is evidence for it? What about parents who have handicapped children, cannot get them the appropriate services and education because the districts aren't interested in helping them?
What about looking at a standardized curriculum for all children who are able to learn? What about having higher standards for teachers and students at all levels? What ever happened to making education a respected profession that attracts intelligent people who want to teach and like children? Forget about charter schools, private schools, etc. For many those will not be a reality. What we all need is a strong, well functioning K-12 public school system that turns out graduates who can go to college or get decent jobs.
What about looking at a standardized curriculum for all children who are able to learn? What about having higher standards for teachers and students at all levels? What ever happened to making education a respected profession that attracts intelligent people who want to teach and like children? Forget about charter schools, private schools, etc. For many those will not be a reality. What we all need is a strong, well functioning K-12 public school system that turns out graduates who can go to college or get decent jobs.
5
There was a time when very, very wealthy people valued public education and wished to continually better it, but that time to have been increasingly lost.
26
It's nothing more than a "money grab." Her main goal will be to get as much public education dollars diverted away from public schools and their teachers and to the for profit and quasi for profit companies she, her family and her friends operate.
1
The Times does a shameful job of covering this hearing. From reading this article, you would have no idea that Betsy DeVos doesn't believe that disabled children should be educated. Betsy DeVos, under questioning by Senator Tim Kaine, stated that she did not believe that schools receiving federal funding should have to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. That is madness and will do untold harm to thousands of children with behavioral, mental and physical disabilities.
Crickets about this in the Times? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/betsy-devos-trumps-education-pick-se...
We deserve better.
Crickets about this in the Times? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/betsy-devos-trumps-education-pick-se...
We deserve better.
266
That's because most of the schools she's thinking of (dreaming of) don't have facilities (or need of) for students with disabilities or are in Lake Wobegon where all the children are above average.
One of the authors of this piece is bucking at similar comments being made on twitter about coverage of DeVos.
What she actually said, in her slippery manner, is that the "states" should deal with this issue. She referred to the "states" several times in her answers. I believe that this is her coy way of saying that, like her soon-to-be boss (and we know she'll be approved) she wants the Department of Education dismantled. Because we all know that the "states" will all do the right thing by our most vulnerable students. And fund the right thing too.
Change the headline. This was not "partisan." It was obvious and reasonable questioning and vetting of a nominee, given that the billionaire white lady has no knowledge of or respect for public education, a cornerstone of American democracy, and that she has a religious agenda to undermine poor students.
34
Where is there a voice say "no" the money does not follow the student? My youngest son attends a private high school in Boston with a tuition of 18+K a year. We live in a community that has a level1 high school. Level 1 in Massachusetts is the best there can be based on numerous measures. We pay approximately $6500 a year in property taxes. The decision to send him to the private school was between my wife and me. Our taxes contribute to an excellent public education system that I choose not to participate in. In making that choice we chose a Catholic school for reasons of faith as well as education. If there were vouchers or "choice" would my choice to support a religious school conflict with the religious beliefs of others in the community that do not want their taxes going to religious schools? Given the Hobby Town decision regarding contraceptives it is not much of a leap to see a religion state conflict. How much would actually follow my son? Only a portion of our taxes goes to the schools. Other sources include State aid as well as City aid. The answer to vouchers is a Loud NO. States have an obligation to provide a quality public education supported by the taxpayers. Alternative education models are a choice of a family and should be paid for an supported by the family exclusively. Accountability and quality rely with the State. Keep tax payers money out of private schools!
27
She doesn't know what IDEA is, the forty year federal law giving disabled students the right to a free, appropriate public education. She testified that the education of disabled students be left to the states. Part of the 1% who went to private schools and sent her children to private schools is going to be our next Secretary of Education.
25
I despised Arne Duncan as an Education secretary who had little experience in the classroom, and DeVos is even worse. And both were charter-school zealots. Charter schools always seem to be championed by those who know nothing about teaching.
25
What's with the progressive obsession with credentials? Did you not just nominate "the most qualified candidate, ever" only to see her lose to someone you all regard as "utterly unqualified?"
And why should anyone trust the numerous readers below who are spouting off with their years and years of public school teaching experience? These are people who love the routine, who love factory-style one size approaches, who loved their job security, and loved their pensions. In many cases, they were happy enough with a near poverty wage. Anyone with means to escape their mediocrity did so, and often paid a steep price for it.
Are these really the people we want our children to be in the care of?
And why should anyone trust the numerous readers below who are spouting off with their years and years of public school teaching experience? These are people who love the routine, who love factory-style one size approaches, who loved their job security, and loved their pensions. In many cases, they were happy enough with a near poverty wage. Anyone with means to escape their mediocrity did so, and often paid a steep price for it.
Are these really the people we want our children to be in the care of?
3
"What's with the progressive obsession with credentials? Did you not just nominate 'the most qualified candidate, ever' only to see her lose to someone you all regard as 'utterly unqualified?'"
That an utterly unqualified person managed to be elected president does not prove that we *should* promote unqualified people. All it shows is that unqualified people *can* be promoted, to the ruin of us all.
That an utterly unqualified person managed to be elected president does not prove that we *should* promote unqualified people. All it shows is that unqualified people *can* be promoted, to the ruin of us all.
1
Quick reminder...she got a lot more votes than your guy. I bet every American public school 4th grader can check the math and see that.
1
So since you view experience to be a detriment to job qualifications, perhaps we should nominate Ted Nugent for the role.. Also- our overqualified candidate won the popular vote by almost 3 million votes so you, my friend, are in the minority.
1
Everyone seems to be missing the threat here. This business of privatizing public schools is all just a means to an end. What her community of right wing evangelicals want control of is the curriculum, not what roof is over our children's heads. That is easier to achieve when they're in control. Science, history, social studies, health education, its all a threat to them. Their desire to to change it to their liking is severely underestimated by the rest of the country. The consequences of their dictating it to the rest of us is dangerously underestimated. They're not concerned about special needs schools. This too is just a means to an end. The goal here is to make public education answerable to christian evangelical beliefs, which they firmly believe to be the only true facts and what's needed to "save" the country.
28
As a property owner, I pay tax to support public schools even though I do not have any children of my own. I do not object to paying property tax to support public schools that provide free quality education for all children, but I do object to paying for Christian schools, like the ones Mrs. DeVos has attended, because they teach nonsense like creationism. If wealthy people like DeVos want to support private schools that is their choice, but she should keep her hands off public money meant for public schools that teach real science, not religion. Our country was founded on principles that include separation of Church and State.
450
Hear, hear! Absolutely. And I don't think many people know that friend of DeVos, Mike Pence, was all for allowing vouchers pay for religious education. That's happening in Indiana now.
I can't like this comment enough.
I cannot help but wonder if this is all part of a larger push to further dumb down American education, in the hopes that all of us will become unthinking drones, happy to break our backs for minimum wage, no healthcare, and a substandard education for our kids so that the rich who are now swarming the Capitol like vultures can make more money off the fruits of our labors.
I cannot help but wonder if this is all part of a larger push to further dumb down American education, in the hopes that all of us will become unthinking drones, happy to break our backs for minimum wage, no healthcare, and a substandard education for our kids so that the rich who are now swarming the Capitol like vultures can make more money off the fruits of our labors.
Great comment. I am in the same boat.....paying thousands each year for our local public schools, which are excellent. But I will revolt if my taxes are spent on religious/ charter schools. Growing up, I went to a mix of public and private schools. Advantages to both systems but public funds should not be used for private profit.
1
I am an educator in the public school system. DeVos' plan will further weaken the public school system because charter schools tend to attract the best students. The neediest are left in the traditional school system which has less resources due to the voucher system.
11
"I am an educator in the public school system."
And it is 1 PM on a school day and instead of doing the job taxpayers are paying you for (educating our children) you are on the New York Times comment board doing the work of teachers unions disparaging any choice in education. This is exactly why we need charters schools with teachers dedicated to educating our children not in advancing the objectives of self serving teachers unions.
And it is 1 PM on a school day and instead of doing the job taxpayers are paying you for (educating our children) you are on the New York Times comment board doing the work of teachers unions disparaging any choice in education. This is exactly why we need charters schools with teachers dedicated to educating our children not in advancing the objectives of self serving teachers unions.
1
I agree that the title of the article is completely misleading. Good coverage inside, but terrible title. This is certainly not a merely partisan issue. This person is utterly wrong for the job, and could potentially destroy public education. I am not against a limited number of charter schools; that is not the issue. The issue is (as with other of Trump's nominees) a radical, agenda-driven nominee whose view do NOT represent the mainstream at all. VOTE NO.
8
Republicans are counting on us Tweeting, not calling them. I think if you're reading this and you're outraged, your best course of action is not to post on the NYT message board and be done with it. If you live in a state with a Republican senator, or in a even in a district with a Republican rep, you need to call / write immediately. Let them know we're not stupid. We're watching. We heard Ms. DeVos's answers. We saw her incompetence. If you have a special needs student in public schools, you should bring them to your member of congress's office to show them what they're risking with this nominee. Special needs students are the most vulnerable under any circumstances. This nominee is uneducated on the facts of the laws designed to help them.
14
They don't care, though. Representatives choose their voters, not the other way around. I can call my Representative all I like (and I have), but he'll still run uncontested in 2018. And what's Little Marco got to worry about? He can make a fool of himself before a national audience, repeatedly, and then not even show up to work and still get reelected comfortably.
That's the real political crisis right now. Most of us -- literally, MOST voters -- have no representation. So what consequences should Republicans fear?
That's the real political crisis right now. Most of us -- literally, MOST voters -- have no representation. So what consequences should Republicans fear?
She has ZERO experience. She just donates money.
She says parents should be able to decide which school they send their kids to. They already can...Just not with our tax dollars for private schools. That's like me saying I should be able to pick which roads my taxes are used to repair. Why should I pay for roads I never drive down, right? Or why should someone without kids have to pay taxes for schools? If the GOP doesn't want tax dollars to go to things they don't believe in, like Family Planning, I don't want mine going towards wars, or religious schools, or a number of other things!!
She says parents should be able to decide which school they send their kids to. They already can...Just not with our tax dollars for private schools. That's like me saying I should be able to pick which roads my taxes are used to repair. Why should I pay for roads I never drive down, right? Or why should someone without kids have to pay taxes for schools? If the GOP doesn't want tax dollars to go to things they don't believe in, like Family Planning, I don't want mine going towards wars, or religious schools, or a number of other things!!
18
Maybe the best plan to avoid supporting wars and religious schools with your tax dollars is to follow Trump's example and simply avoid paying taxes.
1
Public education has not educated for many years. Look at the bright side. Once Betsy finishes, the NFL will no longer receive free training of their future recruits and coaches will need to find real work. Multiculturalism will die. And reading will be relegated to the hinterlands. Sweet! No more deep thinking for our shallow world.
3
We will have a Secretary of Education who evidently has no understanding of the astonishing social-democratic value of public education. I am dismayed.
25
Our public school system is the reason that our students rank well below those of most other developed nations. It is high time to try something new! I wish Ms. DeVos the best.
25
How about making sure our public school systems are adequately funded instead of trying to nickel and dime them to death? THAT would be doing something radically different!
6
This is patently twisted and untrue. Extensive evidence shows we do better than nearly all other countries when adjusted for poverty and education inputs.
Thankfully, many replies do not agree with you.
Thankfully, many replies do not agree with you.
9
She will give you vouchers that will be accepted only at the schools run by her company!!! In a way you are making her rich with public money and your children learn a "LOT!""
3
Knowledge is power. Ms. DeVos represents a point of view that would deny education, hence knowledge, to those who cannot afford to pay what the market will bear. A voucher will make little difference for those whose only opportunity for an education is a public school.
Ultimately, the children of the poor will only be taught what is needed serve, not succeed.
Ultimately, the children of the poor will only be taught what is needed serve, not succeed.
38
Republicans often trot out the idea that a different mode for different people is some form of ideal freedom. It's another form of advantage to the rich - most of the time people without the means don't have the freedom and a voucher is not going to grant it to them. How about everyone having his or her facts, his or her knowledge? Republicans are big on that - if you don't like what's true, just believe something else.
27
yes, one size does not fit all. Everyone does not need a decent education.
3
WRONG! Everyone does need a decent education at least to some level. They won't all get PhD's, but even a decent high school should be available to all.
1
What???
1
Another lying billionaire...and Trump doesn't care, his boy is a private school kid. These billionaires are so insulated from the reality you and I live in that they can lie and make stuff up and peddle it as fact in this twisted empire we inhabit.
43
The idea of "school choice" as some great socio-economic equalizer is patently ridiculous, as its proponents know very well.
Charters and parochial schools are by nature discriminatory. Admittance is granted based on a lottery system. A student whose parents are absent, illiterate, unfamiliar with the American school system, or without computer access/transportation is preemptively cut. The vast majority don't provide free meals, nor busing; so no poor kids. Charters don't provide special ed., nor behavior interventionists, excluding the learning disabled and behaviorally challenged. No ELL support, excluding recent refugees. They're exempt from laws ensuring a free and appropriate education, so challenging students can be quickly expelled.
It's darkly ironic that the families who have been excluded would then be required to fund the private education of their more well-off neighbors.
And yet, despite these discriminatory practices producing a well-behaved, supported, culturally homogeneous student body, in most places traditional public schools still outperform their chartered counterparts.
The idea that DeVos is a champion for America's underprivileged youth, whose constituents coincidentally make millions on the use of public funds for private schools is stupid. Do some research within your home state. Chances are, the organizations pushing charter and voucher expansion are not too far removed from those diverted tax dollars.
Charters and parochial schools are by nature discriminatory. Admittance is granted based on a lottery system. A student whose parents are absent, illiterate, unfamiliar with the American school system, or without computer access/transportation is preemptively cut. The vast majority don't provide free meals, nor busing; so no poor kids. Charters don't provide special ed., nor behavior interventionists, excluding the learning disabled and behaviorally challenged. No ELL support, excluding recent refugees. They're exempt from laws ensuring a free and appropriate education, so challenging students can be quickly expelled.
It's darkly ironic that the families who have been excluded would then be required to fund the private education of their more well-off neighbors.
And yet, despite these discriminatory practices producing a well-behaved, supported, culturally homogeneous student body, in most places traditional public schools still outperform their chartered counterparts.
The idea that DeVos is a champion for America's underprivileged youth, whose constituents coincidentally make millions on the use of public funds for private schools is stupid. Do some research within your home state. Chances are, the organizations pushing charter and voucher expansion are not too far removed from those diverted tax dollars.
48
Charter schools are not exempt from special education laws. As public schools, they are required to provide a "free and appropriate public education" in the "least restrictive environment" for kids with disabilities, according to the Individuals with Disabilities Act. The DoE just sent a "Dear Colleague" letter spelling out the responsibilities of charter schools.
That said, most charters have an abysmal record of educating kids with special needs. They do try to force them out, or simply not take them in the first place. But it's not legal.
Of course, it seems like the future SecEd knows little to nothing about this, so the situation will probably get worse, not better.
That said, most charters have an abysmal record of educating kids with special needs. They do try to force them out, or simply not take them in the first place. But it's not legal.
Of course, it seems like the future SecEd knows little to nothing about this, so the situation will probably get worse, not better.
1
Even in my liberal college town, the private Catholic school kicked an elementary student out when they discovered her parents were lesbians. On the other hand, at least they teach real science unlike many of the so-called Christian schools.
2
During the period following WWII, the state of California developed one of the best public school systems that went from grade 1 through university. It wasn't perfect but it worked pretty well. Starting in the 1980's, budget pressures, largely instigated by Republican administrations, reduced funding and the California system has declined in quality and increased in cost to students, especially at the university level.
Instead of arguing about school choice, the discussion needs to be about investing in the future of our country, and that argument starts with making sure we have the broadest, best educated public, starting with kindergarten. Sidelining funds for charter schools and religious schools is NOT the answer. As a tax payer in California, I don't mind paying some extra tax dollars to insure that ALL our students have a chance for a first-class education and the long-term benefits to our nation are tremendous.
Instead of arguing about school choice, the discussion needs to be about investing in the future of our country, and that argument starts with making sure we have the broadest, best educated public, starting with kindergarten. Sidelining funds for charter schools and religious schools is NOT the answer. As a tax payer in California, I don't mind paying some extra tax dollars to insure that ALL our students have a chance for a first-class education and the long-term benefits to our nation are tremendous.
2
Once again someone making decisions about education that has never been in a classroom and thus has no idea what they are talking about. She should get along great with Pence. They could put their ignorant heads together to make decision on a topic they know nothing about.
43
I wonder if this woman knows that almost all of the best American doctors, lawyers, scientists, engineers, teachers, firefighters, policemen, members of the FBI, Generals and Admirals, etc., etc,....and even priests and religious ministers...went to public schools during grades K-12?
42
She's for local control except when it is contrary to NRA policy. She's for federal funding even when local preferences conflict with the "strings" she acknowledges are the quid pro quo for accepting federal funding. In other words, she is an ideologue. How can you be Education Secretary if you are not educated enough to see these inconsistencies?
28
This is the demonstration that money can buy anything and that Democracy in America (the Republican one) is dead. Five minutes given to ask questions to a know nothing individual. Lamar Alexander fron Tennessee? What to say? Fill in the blanks...
39
Charter schools are little more than a GOP contrived vehicle to starve public school funding, and thus the Dem leaning teacher unions.
Always was. Always will be.
Same GOP trick as wearing those good old fashioned "Christian" values were they can be seen.
Power matters. The "little people" do not.
Full stop.
Always was. Always will be.
Same GOP trick as wearing those good old fashioned "Christian" values were they can be seen.
Power matters. The "little people" do not.
Full stop.
65
Another candidate who was born on third and brags that they "earned" a triple. She is entirely disconnected and in no way shape or form interested in, nor is she committed emotionally or philosophically to improving education for the future benefit of our children. This should be another open and shut case of "no."
261
More importantly she is not intelligent enough to teach a kindergarten let alone run the DOE.
1
I am a public school teacher. I believe my classroom is an almost sacred place, and it is the last fully democratic space in this country. I am the kind of teacher you wanted to bring in the profession; that is, I left my comfortable, easy-to-do Fortune 500 job receiving stock options and made my way into the public school system. Since that time, I have been tested, retested and digested. I have been picked on and scapegoated, and my students have been used over and over again as political pawns. Due to the over-reliance on testing, my students now take gobs of anxiety pills and cry if they don't get a 98. Some of them shake, if they don't get the right score. I spend enormous amounts of time coaching parents and soothing students. Now, you want to give me this rich buffoon as my leader, who does not know the basic aspects of education? Can see read? Suffice to say my students and I will ignore her. By the way, we teachers are the only union left in this country. I suspect Betsy and her hedge fund buddies care more about the Benjamins than your children.
194
Nice, I don't want my children close to your classroom. The use of the word "buffoon" tells me everything I need to know about your teaching. Might want to learn the word "tolerance" before your next class.
I hope you feel better having vented. Now can you please lay out just one case so you can get into the details, that shows the failure of those on high to see to it that children learn to read write and do arithmetic?
Used to be public discourse taught children how to reason and how to use information. Today that would be hard to come by outside of very few places. I have no idea where a child might learn to think correctly today. I haven't met a single person under 40 in over a decade who could.
Used to be public discourse taught children how to reason and how to use information. Today that would be hard to come by outside of very few places. I have no idea where a child might learn to think correctly today. I haven't met a single person under 40 in over a decade who could.
Keep up the good work--pubic educator here! 31 years...
1
I take strong issue with the headline for this article. This was not a "partisan" issue - the questioning was not about her political views, it was about her competence for this important position. It is fair game for any person charged with recommending a person for a job to question that person's experience, qualifications and ideas or plans for how to do the job. The questions are fair and her responses are formulaic, repetitive and uninformative. She is not qualified and should have never been a candidate for this job.
373
I agree. It can hardly be partisan when the questions raised by Democrats are the VERY SAME concerns raised by Republicans in confirmation hearings for the previous administration. The rules for conducting confirmation hearings should not change with the whims of those in the majority. If the Ethics Committee process is not adhered to, then the hearing should NOT proceed until the requirements have been met. I agree with your analysis of the questions and her responses. In addition, I don't think, even if the hearing was postponed and she had the additional time to prepare, that DeVos would or could provide better answers.
5
Well put!
Of course the Times is staying safe with that headline-- as “ fair and balanced” as possible to this atrocious nominee, so they won’t look too hostile to Trumpf’s picks?
It was great to see the unusually aggressive questioning by democrats.
They quoted back to devos that she once said ‘govt sucks’. Now that’s a real pick for a public servant!
The questions were necessary for the lawmakers we elect to represent the public interest. We need their protection against the predators of the Trumpf govt.
But the answers were arrogantly evasive or non responsive---really an insult to the congress and the voters.
But this is the nominee from a pres who is a crook---he had to pay 25m in the lawsuit of Trump U brought by students he cheated. How could such a person be elected pres?
It was great to see the unusually aggressive questioning by democrats.
They quoted back to devos that she once said ‘govt sucks’. Now that’s a real pick for a public servant!
The questions were necessary for the lawmakers we elect to represent the public interest. We need their protection against the predators of the Trumpf govt.
But the answers were arrogantly evasive or non responsive---really an insult to the congress and the voters.
But this is the nominee from a pres who is a crook---he had to pay 25m in the lawsuit of Trump U brought by students he cheated. How could such a person be elected pres?
The rich get rich, but the poor get children, ain't we got fun?
9
Thank God someone in this country still has them. The president has a few and so does the president-elect. If more educated Americans took the time to bring children into the world we could turn down the volume on the rhetoric that we need third world immigrants to pay for our aging boomers. And maybe shut off the spigot that brings ten million immigrants into these mostly mountainous, desert and badland covered states every decade before we get a population the size of India's. Not that that would be a bad thing. No, it would be a nightmare and a betrayal of those who came before us.
2
Just another unqualified person to run a very important agency. The big losers, however, will be public school students.
69
A consistent strategy of the trump camp has become all to obvious: appoint individuals that are openly hostile to the agencies they supposedly will run, though they have no experience relevant to these agencies (only experience obstructing them). This was predictable but still so disheartening. The pick for education is especially upsetting because it undermines hope for an improved future. Its sure is starting to look like a long four years.
46
If we privatize education as DeVos and most of the GOP would like, only the children of the wealthy will have a chance. Democracy will be dead, because most of the electorate will be ignorant. Sadly, this seems to be the goal.
69
I believe you've hit the nail on the head. Perpetuate the development of under-educated, ignorant voters easily hoodwinked by charlatans like Trump, et. al.
2
Given the results of the latest election, repubs' under-funding of public education is working.
Based on this past election and the vocal, public response to the results, I'd say the "most of the electorate will be ignorant" benchmark has easily been surpassed.
This nominee is ideologically committed to destroying public education.
I want to see answers to the following:
1. what percent of her portfolio is in charter school companies?
2. How does she intend to get around the constitutional ban on using public funds for religious education?
3. How does she expect to include all students with mere vouchers or will the poorest students be relegated to those few public schools that are left and likely underperforming?
4. How can someone with no professional experience in education whatsoever be running the department of education?
5. If every student is able to use a voucher to attend a school full of kids just like him or her, how does she expect to educate future Americans on the needs of their fellow citizens?
I think Betsy DeVos is a terrible choice, given her free market and anti-gay ideology, her personality, and her potential inability to get along with some of the most important and dedicated professionals in America: our public school teachers.
I want to see answers to the following:
1. what percent of her portfolio is in charter school companies?
2. How does she intend to get around the constitutional ban on using public funds for religious education?
3. How does she expect to include all students with mere vouchers or will the poorest students be relegated to those few public schools that are left and likely underperforming?
4. How can someone with no professional experience in education whatsoever be running the department of education?
5. If every student is able to use a voucher to attend a school full of kids just like him or her, how does she expect to educate future Americans on the needs of their fellow citizens?
I think Betsy DeVos is a terrible choice, given her free market and anti-gay ideology, her personality, and her potential inability to get along with some of the most important and dedicated professionals in America: our public school teachers.
90
Dear Christine McM - Would you please cite in our Constitution the source of your comment ". . .the constitutional ban on using public funds for religious education."
If you're think about mentioning 'the separation of church and state," you needn't bother. Those wise words from Jefferson are not--repeat, NOT--in the Constitution.
I look forward to reading your reply.
If you're think about mentioning 'the separation of church and state," you needn't bother. Those wise words from Jefferson are not--repeat, NOT--in the Constitution.
I look forward to reading your reply.
3
Dear warren d miller,
Did you get up to the first amendment yet?
Did you get up to the first amendment yet?
3
Can you please set smugness and desire for praise and admiration for showing how smart you are and admit what a terrible choice Devos is?
3
Trickle down education. That should go well.
49
I hate to be a wet blanket but I think that is and has been the current system forever. I live a couple of blocks from the Chinese-French International elementary school in San Francisco. You need serious cash to go there. I walk past Mission High School in my daily walks around beautiful Deloras Park, the skin color of the two student bodies is obvious. And while a lot of the kids in the public school seem to be into learning, and not just book learning, but learning how to be adults. Then, when I pass the ones waiting to catch a bus to less fortunate neighborhoods, you aren't passing students with their noses in their books or their smart phones but often, some ignorant gangster wannabes. Neighborhoods in some cases can be destiny.
10
DeVos' plans will only exacerbate the problem you raise. Well funded public system has the best chance of redirecting kids who come from broken communities.
1
I have lived in San Francisco for 27 years and my child attends public schools. Based on national test scores and personal experience, the SFUSD provides quality education to a large and diverse student population- which is no small feat. Sure, there are issues in public schools that students might not encounter at a private school. As long as educators address the issues and respond keeping students' interests in mind, I am confident that my child is receiving a good education. In fact, the experience of teachers, administrators, students, and their families working together to solve issues that arise is a invaluable life experience. We support public schools because being a part of the entire community, embracing it's diversity, and confronting issues together make students better citizens.
If Betsy DeVos is confirmed as Education Secretary, I fear that Americans will become more education consumers rather than education participants. This is the wrong lesson for our children. In my opinion, American education falls behind other developed countries because American culture values consumerism over intellectual achievement.
If Betsy DeVos is confirmed as Education Secretary, I fear that Americans will become more education consumers rather than education participants. This is the wrong lesson for our children. In my opinion, American education falls behind other developed countries because American culture values consumerism over intellectual achievement.
I cannot believe that the nominee for Secretary of Education for the United States of America did not know much about students with disabilities. If you walk through the hallways of any public school, you would know that students of all abilities are taught in the public schools. What planet is she on? I am sure Trump just handed a list of people he wanted paid off for their contribution to his selection committee. What a joke. America First? I think not. All about the money.
75
You would think that even as a charter school proponent she would be familiar with special needs students. Most charter schools are not set up to handle special needs students (mostly because they’re cost so much more tom educate).
Rich, an ideologue, and content free. Not exactly the best credential to be the Education Secretary. I'm sure that when Ms. DeVos talks about voucher programs, she is not talking about suburban unified public school districts which provide excellent educational programs to students across the country. She would not dare touch those programs. Her focus is on inner city schools which have an uneven record of providing a quality education to students in these communities. But, without social, economic and geographic mobility, these voucher programs are nothing more than a scam that enrich only the providers of the service, at the expense of its students. Under her plan, and Mr. Trumps plan, voucher programs will enrich religious schools who offer very narrow and often undemocratic educational curriculums. Ms. DeVos is about as qualified to be the Education Secretary as I am to be a brain surgeon.
47
Well the brain surgeon will be in charge of housing, so you might be qualified for that.
30
What doesn't seem to be widely known yet is that her brother is Eric Prince of Blackwater infamy. This nomination was a reward to him for the role he played in spreading the bizarro-world 'fake news' of the supposed pedophile ring centered on that pizza parlor Comet Ping-Pong and pressuring Comey to release his unprecedent letters to Congress which tilted the playing field towards Trump. Prince is advising Trump and his billionaire Christian wacko sister is given a seek-and-destroy position in education.
Outrage must go beyond her manifest lack of qualification, hprrendous as that is (and I am married to a teacher), to the corrupt, cynical, and hypocritical pay-for-play this so clearly is.
Outrage must go beyond her manifest lack of qualification, hprrendous as that is (and I am married to a teacher), to the corrupt, cynical, and hypocritical pay-for-play this so clearly is.
28
Church schools, I went to a Catholic school for a couple of years in Chicago, are excellent places to put children when then the neighborhood school is dangerous. And Catholic schools, working with little cash, teach. Because the students in my day didn't want to be whipped by a wimpled nun with a three foot ruler. Never underestimate the value of discipline in getting classes full of students to pay attention and if they don't, to keep their traps shut and their hands to themselves.
So she visited a "Christian School" and had an aha moment. What would that be? Was this a private school, able to pick the students it wished to have? And I support parents who make sacrifices for their children, I just do not think I should pay for them. Why do we not look at the public schools who do the job and well and try to emulate them? Why is DeVos not being questioned more thoroughly on her very particular religious agenda? How could someone lacking every quality required for the job be in contention and the fact that she thinks she would be good at it merely shows her arrogance and self-righteousness, nothing more.
33
Why is the government-school system entitled to monopoly funding? What kind of RACIST would oppose school choice?
I know what kind of racist: One who is sympathetic to a political party that has screwed blacks and other ethnic minorities in American every since the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Oh, and if anyone wants to look up what the party breakdown in the House and the Senate were, they're welcome to click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964.
Read 'em and weep, Democrats: far greater proportions of Republicans in both the House and Senate voted for that legislation. Democrats went to work in plain white business sheets.
I know what kind of racist: One who is sympathetic to a political party that has screwed blacks and other ethnic minorities in American every since the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Oh, and if anyone wants to look up what the party breakdown in the House and the Senate were, they're welcome to click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964.
Read 'em and weep, Democrats: far greater proportions of Republicans in both the House and Senate voted for that legislation. Democrats went to work in plain white business sheets.
"government-school system"...
Where I live the school system is owned and operated by the community in which I live. The employees work for the local taxpayers and we (I, for one), don't need the likes of Ms Devos.
Where I live the school system is owned and operated by the community in which I live. The employees work for the local taxpayers and we (I, for one), don't need the likes of Ms Devos.
2
Warren, that was back when the Democratic and Republican parties stood for different things. You do know that things change over time, right? We know all about the Dixiecrats. Guess who they are now? Your southern GOP friends. Are you actually trying to tell minorities that it is the Republican party that is looking out for them? If you think they're dumb enough to buy that, you might just be the racist.
2
C'mon Patty. Let's dial up the aggression some. Think John Lewis.
All the best.
Scott Sticklin,
Liberal Redneck
All the best.
Scott Sticklin,
Liberal Redneck
5
Betsy Devos is not an Educational professional. She does not have a degree in education and lacks the training and certification that is required for all teachers and administrators. She has never worked in a public school, mentoring does not count. As characterized by her performance last night, she is not proficient on educational standards or on public school reform models. She is not for improving our current system but only for distributing vouchers to wealthy contributors and opening more charter schools that are not transparent, held to the same standards as public schools and may be for profit. In addition, she does not think guns in schools are a bad idea, in fear of a possible grizzly attack in Wyoming. As a Mom with a “passion” for education, she is not qualified for the job.
53
It's worth noting that I taught for five (5) years full-time on the university level. I had no 'education degree', but I became a helluva good teacher. The possession of such a degree doesn't ensure that the holder will be a great teacher.
However, just being a holder of such a degree makes it overwhelminingly probable that said holder is in the lowest academic quartile (0-25%) because that's where the typical holder of such a degree hails from. Those who hold such a degree learn pedagogy. They don't learn KNOWLEDGE worth passing on to students.
However, just being a holder of such a degree makes it overwhelminingly probable that said holder is in the lowest academic quartile (0-25%) because that's where the typical holder of such a degree hails from. Those who hold such a degree learn pedagogy. They don't learn KNOWLEDGE worth passing on to students.
1
You comment sounds like it was spoken from a mountain top onto the ignorant peons complaining about a clueless and obscene appointee who is about to be in charge of their future. This is trumpism at it's essence, we can't know anything and you have all the answers, sad!
3
Universities require degrees in subject area. Pedagogy is very valuable when done right and applied to young students. A Calculus major may not be the right fit to teach a 6 year old how to add. Our top students do not choose Education because the working conditions are poor, they are not respected, and in most states, not very well paid considering the actual hours put into the job. There was a time when teaching was "pink collar" and many very bright women went and stayed in the field. Today, If my daughter was a stellar student, I would steer her away from Education. All that aside, I started as a high school teacher with an B.A. in History and Economics plus a few credits in Educational Theory. To keep my license, I got my Masters and chose to do that in Education. I also have an advanced degree in Administration. Did these make me a better classroom teacher? Not as much I'd have hoped but I had mentors for that. What they did do for me was provide a solid foundation on how to manage the organizational aspects of running a school and a district. De Vos has done nothing in Education except pontificate. I defy her to spend a week teaching or managing a department or school in a public school setting anywhere in this country.
1
This nominee represents the cabal of individuals who are determined to destroy public education. She refers to "one size fits all" which is ludicrous -- public schools offer so many programs and attempt to address the needs of a multicultural, multi-talented and thoroughly diverse populations with learners at all levels and all abilities. It is appalling and frightening to read about Ms. DeVos's support of conversion therapy, her disinterest/antagonism toward victims of sexual assault on campus, her complete and total lack of understanding of the principal of public education. We need to strengthen public education -- not weaken it by taking away more tax dollars. If your child needs a religious school or a highly-specialized charter school or any other type of private school, it is your right to pay for that privilege for your child. Our country desperately needs a strong public education system to counteract the ignorance and bigotry and self-righteousness rampant in the likes of Ms. DeVos, who would like to force her ideology on our society. What a horrendous choice for Secretary of the Department of Education.
30
It seems that Mr. Trump has made a point of nominating controversial characters that hate the job the Federal Government has done on: Education, Environment, Housing, etc. It is not that we can't have a discussion, but they seem to want to destroy these agencies. "One size fits all" works for most things, like Math, Spelling, History*, Science, English grammar. The methods of teaching may vary, but do we teach a different History to different neighborhoods? Different Math? Different Spelling? If we are embarking on a new round of Education Reform, how about some Education Professors? Too, anti-business! too Elite! no common sense!
18
Former Michigander reporting in. The DeVos’ family group, the Great Lakes Education Project, has fueled two decades of charter school growth in my home state. The education landscape in Michigan is shaped strongly by her family’s pro-choice ideology.
Unfortunately, the charter school experiment did not pan out. Federal data indicates that Michigan charter schools perform worse than public school counterparts on standardized measures. [1] Charter schools have hurt the funding traditional public schools, particularly those in districts with African-American and low-income students. [2]
Let this be the lesson: in a pro-choice system crafted by DeVos, your children will be worse off with all choices. Any other claim turns a blind eye to the facts.
[1] https://midwest.edtrust.org/accountability-for-all-charts/
[2] http://www.education.msu.edu/epc/library/papers/documents/WP51-Which-Dis...
Unfortunately, the charter school experiment did not pan out. Federal data indicates that Michigan charter schools perform worse than public school counterparts on standardized measures. [1] Charter schools have hurt the funding traditional public schools, particularly those in districts with African-American and low-income students. [2]
Let this be the lesson: in a pro-choice system crafted by DeVos, your children will be worse off with all choices. Any other claim turns a blind eye to the facts.
[1] https://midwest.edtrust.org/accountability-for-all-charts/
[2] http://www.education.msu.edu/epc/library/papers/documents/WP51-Which-Dis...
71
Destroying public education for a dimmer, dumber, Devosian tomorrow.
The collapse of the American IQ, public education, fact and truth is the bedrock, foundation and dream of the Party of Stupid.
"My ignorance is just as good as your knowledge"
American 'free-dumb' in action.
The collapse of the American IQ, public education, fact and truth is the bedrock, foundation and dream of the Party of Stupid.
"My ignorance is just as good as your knowledge"
American 'free-dumb' in action.
136
American "free-dumb" is why companies need to hire from outside our workforce. Americans need to work harder to make sure our workforce can fill the jobs available and stop trying to bring back dying industries.
Public education has been in the pits for decades. None of the traditional approaches have worked other than kick the can further down the road.
What's needed is disruption, fresh thinking, new approaches. Not another can-kicker dressed in bureaucratic cloth with loads of "experience", not another bleeding heart idealist needing the job more than the job needing him/her. Someone who can say phooey to the system just as good as Trump and give it its long overdue kick in the pants.
Except for the bit about being married to an Amway heir, Betsy DeVos seems perfectly qualified, then some. At any rate, a nominee's choice of spouse is her own business. Let's get the hearing blah blah done with asap and send Mrs. DeVos on her way. All the best!
What's needed is disruption, fresh thinking, new approaches. Not another can-kicker dressed in bureaucratic cloth with loads of "experience", not another bleeding heart idealist needing the job more than the job needing him/her. Someone who can say phooey to the system just as good as Trump and give it its long overdue kick in the pants.
Except for the bit about being married to an Amway heir, Betsy DeVos seems perfectly qualified, then some. At any rate, a nominee's choice of spouse is her own business. Let's get the hearing blah blah done with asap and send Mrs. DeVos on her way. All the best!
15
Well said.
1
This is not "fresh" thinking. This is just another way for corporation to take public money without accountability. It hurts public schools. If this is such a good idea, why are charter schools not required to meet the same standards as public schools.
9
Public education may be the pits where you are but in Betsy Devos's Detroit, Charter schools open up like bodegas, with no oversight and are failing (more than public schools) but can't be closed. They are for-profit and care nothing about the children. I will NOT stand for my tax dollars going to fund for-profit bodega schools that teach nothing. Also Ms. Devos stands to benefit financially from school privatization. That in itself disqualifies her.
15
As a retired NYS public school educator (teacher, counselor) with a 30 year career covering Pre-K – Grade 12, I recognize the dangerous dishonesty & ignorance of the likes of Betsy DeVos.
Sanders is right on-the-money (!!) when he suggested that were it not for her monumental wealth she would never have become Trump’s nominee for this crucial Cabinet post. There is nothing in her vitae which reveals any competency whatsoever regarding child development, learning process’, curriculum, psycho/social issues, needs of Special Education students, etc., etc.
Public education is the People’s education. Left to the likes of Trump’s DeVos, the People’s voice will be Silenced by means of this complete betrayal of We The People.
Sanders is right on-the-money (!!) when he suggested that were it not for her monumental wealth she would never have become Trump’s nominee for this crucial Cabinet post. There is nothing in her vitae which reveals any competency whatsoever regarding child development, learning process’, curriculum, psycho/social issues, needs of Special Education students, etc., etc.
Public education is the People’s education. Left to the likes of Trump’s DeVos, the People’s voice will be Silenced by means of this complete betrayal of We The People.
60
Jaye sweetie, your use of the word "hun" when replying to a lady you do not know is wrong and rude!
Teachers Union is powerful and does not like reform. Just watch the film Waiting for Superman!
5
And follow that by Race to Nowhere about what bunk the whole testing thing is!
Lifelong educator--31 years and counting
Lifelong educator--31 years and counting
10
"Waiting for Superman" is best used as a drinking game. Drink every time a false claim is made. You'll pass out in 10 minutes and be spared watching the rest of the movie.
That there are people still believing that debunked piece of propaganda says a lot about how Trump got elected.
That there are people still believing that debunked piece of propaganda says a lot about how Trump got elected.
2
Separate but Equal by any other name is still Separate but Equal. It doesn't matter that the factor controlling who gets left out is not strictly race this time around it is still the same thing, deliberate miseducation and undereducation of vast swaths of the population to keep them ignorant and because of that unable to fully use their potential to realize the benefits of self government. It is the intentional stunting of the development of millions of children to keep as many as is possible from developing into adults who can realize their full potential by limiting that potential long before it has a chance to go from bud to flower.
9
Hogwash. Everyone has choice at the college level. Why not in primary and secondary education, too?
And did you know that every free country in Europe has school choice? The people I've discussed this with over there continue to be dumbfounded by the racism of those 'liberals' who would consign racial minorities to rotten schools just because of where their parents live.
And did you know that every free country in Europe has school choice? The people I've discussed this with over there continue to be dumbfounded by the racism of those 'liberals' who would consign racial minorities to rotten schools just because of where their parents live.
1
No, most countries don't have school choice. Most countries, instead of insisting we need "escape valves" from "failing" schools, actually focus on making their public schools operate well. But in addition, most countries don't have the concentrated poverty that's the real cause of US "failing" schools.
83
Warren D. Miller,
NO. You diversion doesn't work. Choice is not the issue, intentional destruction of the education system by republicans is.
The only problem is defunding and alteration of standards, the false unrelated to anything to do with education introduction of religion into the public school and otherwise using acolytes at the local level to cause problems in the education system by the GOP. There is no racism of forcing people to go to bad schools there is the racism of politicians organizing in secret traitorous groups to manipulate the system to do the things they used to do openly before it was made illegal by a properly educated generation to deny the majority of people their rights.
NO. You diversion doesn't work. Choice is not the issue, intentional destruction of the education system by republicans is.
The only problem is defunding and alteration of standards, the false unrelated to anything to do with education introduction of religion into the public school and otherwise using acolytes at the local level to cause problems in the education system by the GOP. There is no racism of forcing people to go to bad schools there is the racism of politicians organizing in secret traitorous groups to manipulate the system to do the things they used to do openly before it was made illegal by a properly educated generation to deny the majority of people their rights.
3
Betsey DeVos, the Let Us Eat Cake Candidate.
32
Why not.
The kids have been eating 'hard moldy bread' for to long.
The kids have been eating 'hard moldy bread' for to long.
gg,
The expression is meant to demonstrate a level of disconnection and lack of concern amounting to dismissal of the problems of the less well off. Explained to me in my younger days as Cake being less nutritious than good bread. There are debates now as to who actually said it still the meaning the phrase is meant to convey stands.
Your response strikes me as similarly dismissive.
The expression is meant to demonstrate a level of disconnection and lack of concern amounting to dismissal of the problems of the less well off. Explained to me in my younger days as Cake being less nutritious than good bread. There are debates now as to who actually said it still the meaning the phrase is meant to convey stands.
Your response strikes me as similarly dismissive.
1
I watched a lot of DeVos's hearing. She is wholly unqualified to lead the Education department. There were times when she uttered clueless responses to basic
administrative questions about public education in America.
But why should her incompetence shock anyone?
Look at who nominated her? It is pathetic.
administrative questions about public education in America.
But why should her incompetence shock anyone?
Look at who nominated her? It is pathetic.
54
You are correct about who nominated her about being pathetic. It is telling the democrats actually nominated someone worse and couldn't beat Trump.
Typical deflection from the course of dialogue.
While I believe that Clinton was a flawed candidate and did not vote for her you are entitled to keep thinking that Orange Hairball is not worse than Clinton could ever possibly be.
If you voted for the snake oil salesman from Queens, you have been conned. I cannot feel sorry for you though as you should have done your homework.
While I believe that Clinton was a flawed candidate and did not vote for her you are entitled to keep thinking that Orange Hairball is not worse than Clinton could ever possibly be.
If you voted for the snake oil salesman from Queens, you have been conned. I cannot feel sorry for you though as you should have done your homework.
2
With the nomination of unqualified people for cabinet positions, the Trump Triumvirate (Trump/Pence/Priebus) is making a very clear point that competency does not matter to run the government. They are creating a new order of patronage jobs that will create further mistrust in government and will foster people's beliefs that these agencies are poorly run (because they will be) and the logical conclusion must be that we need to eliminate these agencies.
Four years of disregard of our nation will take more than eight years to clean up again. When will we ever learn?
Four years of disregard of our nation will take more than eight years to clean up again. When will we ever learn?
45
Priebus?? His job is to say how high when bannon, Flynn, spicer say jump.
1
Her appalling ignorance simply highlights what it is she wants to do, privatize public education so the results from income inequalities, and the advantages at the higher end, are cemented in place.
ADA, etc.? People like her could care less because they are never affected by them. She'll buy a helicopter.
The hearing also never should have been held until her web of financial investments has been properly documented on the legally required forms.
Rich, ignorant, inexperienced, condescending people with absolutely no practical experience in anything are not qualified for cabinet positions, let alone having the process jammed down our throats. What's the rush? What's going to emerge on those documents?
The "Conflict of Interest" Cabinet rushes ahead. Can't wait until Exxon's interests collide with Amway's and Trump's. Then the real fun will start.
ADA, etc.? People like her could care less because they are never affected by them. She'll buy a helicopter.
The hearing also never should have been held until her web of financial investments has been properly documented on the legally required forms.
Rich, ignorant, inexperienced, condescending people with absolutely no practical experience in anything are not qualified for cabinet positions, let alone having the process jammed down our throats. What's the rush? What's going to emerge on those documents?
The "Conflict of Interest" Cabinet rushes ahead. Can't wait until Exxon's interests collide with Amway's and Trump's. Then the real fun will start.
32
We don't need someone who will say what the' has beens collect all the taxpayer salary and do nothings' want to hear. School choice and study all you can and execute your best is what we need the schools to teach. Betsy DeVos for education.
1
A person like "gg" is precisely the audience Betsy DeVos will appeal to.
4
Are we prioritizing isolation/self-selection over an enlightened education? Not taking sides or trying to set up a false dilemma (things are rarely so simple)...just uncertain about where we're heading.
http://thewaryouknowcurat.wixsite.com/the-war-you-know-
http://thewaryouknowcurat.wixsite.com/the-war-you-know-
The Republican Party won't be happy until all public services are legislated out of existence. Public schools and highways, Medicare/Medicaid/ACA, Social Security - you name it.
24
Public schools are indeed a "dead end," as Ms. DeVos has declared, if we elect and appoint public officials dedicated to killing them.
http://www.endthemadnessnow.org
http://www.endthemadnessnow.org
27
Thus goes the Republican approach to governance. A third of Americans either don't profess to be religious or openly don't believe in a supreme being. Why do we need to pay for religious education. Wait, I know; because a huuge bloc of fundamentalists, coming from rural states, can sway the electoral college and congressional elections.
Constitutional convention anyone?
Constitutional convention anyone?
21
It behooves Trump to un-educate our kids. That's how he got elected. Corrupting the truth through false branding, promoting propaganda and fake news about other candidates. Lying about himself (If there is nothing to hide, where's the taxes?; what's the deal with Russia?) Subverting the intent of the electoral college to his own ends. Blatantly nominating outliers, and deniers to internally destroy the fabric of our country. Giving false hope to the jobless (promising to bring back coal). Etc. Etc.
Betsy DeVos is a national disaster in the making who will work to undermine public education. Her lack of experience in administering such a crucial part of American lives is breathtaking. Would you hire an atheist to design a cathedral? Her vision is to bring our children to her point of view.
Our country stands for diversity in thought, religious beliefs, and limitless opportunity. A well-rounded education which teaches our children to think for THEMSELVES is necessary for the well-being of this country. Properly funding and ensuring quality public education for every single child is an American Essential. Really, folks, are we just going to sit back and watch this happen?
Betsy DeVos is a national disaster in the making who will work to undermine public education. Her lack of experience in administering such a crucial part of American lives is breathtaking. Would you hire an atheist to design a cathedral? Her vision is to bring our children to her point of view.
Our country stands for diversity in thought, religious beliefs, and limitless opportunity. A well-rounded education which teaches our children to think for THEMSELVES is necessary for the well-being of this country. Properly funding and ensuring quality public education for every single child is an American Essential. Really, folks, are we just going to sit back and watch this happen?
42
Why were the accounts of homeless people being hired to stand in line for 11 hours, holding places for her supporters, edited out of this article? I read it last night, and this information seems quite important.
12
I actually agree with both her on the importance of greater school opportunities and models, and vouchers under certain circumstances. I am appalled and deeply shocked that the Republican party, having a relatively deep pool of qualified, academic, entrepreneurial, and experienced candidates would put forward De Vos who clearly DOES NOT master the field from an academic or intellectual level, NOR has school teaching, management or system-wide experience, NOR has research or policy knowledge, NOR has any personal or family experience with public schools. The depth of her incompetence is all the more glaring given the right wing has other much more qualified options. I don't question her motives - as a billionaire she obviously doesn't need the job or the headache, and I believe she is well intentioned and altruistic. But we can do better. Its a complex job for a sophisticated thinker and someone with academic and political sensibilities. She has neither.
155
Follow the money!
12
What I have noticed about the GOP especially in the CEO types is a surprising lack of depth and ability. If you paid attention to what the de-regulation actually encouraged you will have noticed that quality of products and services went down rather quickly once it started & you'd realize that they believe what they claim to believe largely because of that shallowness of mind and ability. There is no depth there as has been shown by the recent campaign, of 18 candidates Trump won. If he's the best of them they are far worse off than I imagined possible.
If they can manipulate the population of the US so well that they put Trump over on us, imagine what brighter folks could be doing with them at their hoity toity party's and the other places they gather in private or secret. For instance what exactly is Trump on about making out that Russia and Putin should be our pals? Where do you think that comes from? His disregard for the services we rely on? His stupidity in general?
If they can manipulate the population of the US so well that they put Trump over on us, imagine what brighter folks could be doing with them at their hoity toity party's and the other places they gather in private or secret. For instance what exactly is Trump on about making out that Russia and Putin should be our pals? Where do you think that comes from? His disregard for the services we rely on? His stupidity in general?
8
The Republican party really does not have "... a relatively deep pool of qualified.... candidates." Don't be shocked. De Vos is one your best and brightest! Can we make her take a test?
6
Education in America has for too long been a political battlefield between groups with their own special agendas. The Right vs Left paradigm has been sustained in this insipid war. I have been on both sides of this in the past. I can no longer partake in choosing one or the other. Kids need to be able to make choices, with guidance from parents, for what they want. We need to look to where education is actually working for students in providing a top education. Finland tops the list and we should look at what they have to offer as a model. Common Core is hated by both many liberals and conservatives. It's a centrist corporate model that indoctrinates, not educate. My nextdoor neighbor's daughter is top of her class and she recognizes how dysfunctional it is, but she works through it anyway. DeVos probably has good ideas, but has her agenda as the Teachers' Unions have theirs. What about a students' agenda? What do they want?
2
The teachers' unions' agenda is basically, "Let's do what works to help the most kids have access to the best education."
DeVos, for her part, opposes that.
You seem to be falling victim to a false equivalence.
DeVos, for her part, opposes that.
You seem to be falling victim to a false equivalence.
20
Education has always been about reading writing and arithmetic. It is only since 1980 that the GOP has constantly tried to destroy (mostly successfully mainly by defunding) it to stop the progress and personal development of the majority of the people whom they do not see as potential future members.
9
Your comment surprises me. The teacher's union that I was forced to join principally stood for less work for more pay and job security---the same as nearly all other unions.
2
We could have had this kind of partisan debate under HRC. If Ms. DeVos cannot find a way to earn the Trust of the Public Education stakeholders, perhaps she is not the Leader that this country needs right now. If we are falling back to the same old political fault lines, that should be a point of reflection. As Republicans, our win was Procedural, not Philosophical. If we try to force through positions just because we have a majority, we are going to fall into the same traps that kept Governor Walker from being seen as successful in Wisconsin. Public Education is a Vital Institution of the Republic. The deliberative body of the U.S. Senate needs to Lead the country in a broader dialogue.
5
Since when do republicans "deliberate"? Destroy, yes, delay, yes, confuse, yes.....
11
Talk about false narratives. "Private" education advocates - the privileged elite who want WE hard-working taxpayers to pay for their privileged children's private education - laud the supposed success of religious and other privatized schools. Of course they are successful - they get the cream of the crop. Apparently they think the rest of we little peons should just suck it up and count on the privileged to run OUR lives fairly. They have certainly proven that we can't rely on that old lie.
Effective Public Education for all is what makes America strong. These continuous attempts to suck money from public education to further enrich the most privileged in our society will eventually destroy democracy in America - IF WE LET IT.
We need a better managed, more equitable PUBLIC education system for all with parent/citizen involvement. It is a social good - not a profit center. Speak Up. Take Action. Do not let the incoming administration further destroy public education.
Effective Public Education for all is what makes America strong. These continuous attempts to suck money from public education to further enrich the most privileged in our society will eventually destroy democracy in America - IF WE LET IT.
We need a better managed, more equitable PUBLIC education system for all with parent/citizen involvement. It is a social good - not a profit center. Speak Up. Take Action. Do not let the incoming administration further destroy public education.
21
Charter schools are NOT private schools. They are public schools, operating under a CHARTER from the state.
2
Charter schools are paid for by the state & profited from by the people who have the charter. Is that private or public?- it is the face of privatized public education.
3
Why then do they have special privileges? Why do they get to pick and choose students and push out students with challenges? I think you know your argument is disingenuous.
3
Like many of you I am amused at all the union tenured teachers' comments here decrying Ms. DeVos as inexperienced and unqualified. They should keep in mind that it has been the last 16 years of Bush/Obama's "expert educators" that have saddled us with our current disgraceful public school system. The gravy train is over. President Trump will throw these bums out.
As a result, more middle and lower class Americans will be able to send their children to charter schools. They are an absolute godsend. My youngest daughter attended a typical suburban middle school, was under engaged and under challenged, and got nothing but Ds and Fs and the worst part was that she didn't care! The system had sucked the ambition out of her. So for high school we transferred her to an inner city charter school where she excelled, getting straight As her junior year. Today she is studying engineering at Purdue. None of this would have happened without our charter school.
As a result, more middle and lower class Americans will be able to send their children to charter schools. They are an absolute godsend. My youngest daughter attended a typical suburban middle school, was under engaged and under challenged, and got nothing but Ds and Fs and the worst part was that she didn't care! The system had sucked the ambition out of her. So for high school we transferred her to an inner city charter school where she excelled, getting straight As her junior year. Today she is studying engineering at Purdue. None of this would have happened without our charter school.
9
Neither Bush nor Obama appointed educators, "expert" or otherwise, to be Secretary of Education. Both of them appointed political hacks with very limited education experience.
What's amazing here is that Trump has managed to find someone even MORE unqualified.
And your charter experience may be as you describe it, but the usual rule is that they offer lower-quality instruction than public schools and divide limited funding, driving down quality across the board. If your daughter's grades shot up when she transferred there, that doesn't really argue against that usual rule.
What's amazing here is that Trump has managed to find someone even MORE unqualified.
And your charter experience may be as you describe it, but the usual rule is that they offer lower-quality instruction than public schools and divide limited funding, driving down quality across the board. If your daughter's grades shot up when she transferred there, that doesn't really argue against that usual rule.
13
can we please not treat this like just good old fashioned those-two-parties-at-it-again style bickering? That's not what criticism of DeVos is. The fundamental problem with her running the federal dept. of education is that she has literally zero experience, of any kind, doing anything at all involving public schools (other than finding ways to shut them down and replace them with McCharters)
Never spent a day as a student in a public school. Never sent her children to spend a day in public schools. Never worked in or around a public school because she's never worked a single job that has anything to do with education. In fact to my knowledge she's never actually worked for, well, anyone (sitting on the board of the PAC you created with your giant inheritance doesn't count as a job). So no experience in teaching, running or in fact doing anything, of any kind, in education.
The only reason she's even a well known name is because she inherited a giant stack of cash and subsequently decided that despite having never worked anywhere (certainly not a school) she knew better than, say, public school teachers like my mom, who has a master's degree and taught kids for nearly thirty years. It's like selecting Paris Hilton to run the DOD, seriously. This isn't a "democrats being partisan" sitch, it's a "democrats concerned that trump has nominated an unemployed heiress who has probably never set foot in a public school to run the country's public schools.
Never spent a day as a student in a public school. Never sent her children to spend a day in public schools. Never worked in or around a public school because she's never worked a single job that has anything to do with education. In fact to my knowledge she's never actually worked for, well, anyone (sitting on the board of the PAC you created with your giant inheritance doesn't count as a job). So no experience in teaching, running or in fact doing anything, of any kind, in education.
The only reason she's even a well known name is because she inherited a giant stack of cash and subsequently decided that despite having never worked anywhere (certainly not a school) she knew better than, say, public school teachers like my mom, who has a master's degree and taught kids for nearly thirty years. It's like selecting Paris Hilton to run the DOD, seriously. This isn't a "democrats being partisan" sitch, it's a "democrats concerned that trump has nominated an unemployed heiress who has probably never set foot in a public school to run the country's public schools.
36
We've watched countless people try and improve the US educational system with little success. We've watched numerous Presidents throw money at the US educational system with little success. Why not let DeVos have her shot.
5
I agree with what you've written. It galls me that these conservative supporters talk about freedom and democracy and yet are so blissfully ignorant and willing to hand over power to people who would snatch freedom and democracy away from the rest of us as they line their pockets with profits. Charter schools - they are big business. Some may be good but they are not held accountable. And I listened to the hearings when DeVos was asked about accountability. She either did not understand the question or just was unwilling to accept that all public schools, whether charter or not, need to be held to the same standards of accountability equally. She is an entitled dunderhead.
10
That is nihilism, that is what got Trump elected. Do you think you would ever show up to a job interview completely unqualified, in fact you would prefer if the business to which you are applying would shut down and say, "you may as well try me nothing else has worked."
I listened to the entire hearing. Among things, to say that "previous hearings had included two rounds of questioning is misleading. Senator Alexander, chairman of the committee repeatedly pointed out that the hearings for Obama's two nominees for the position, Arne Duncan and John King, allowed for only one round of questions and that that set a precedent that would not be changed because now the Democrats had a Republican nominee.
Also, the exchange between Senator Murkowski of Alaska is incomplete. When Senator Murkowski asked Ms. DeVos to affirm her commitment to public education, she did just that.
And I would point out that the description of Elizabeth Warren's questioning is also misleading. Senator Warren specifically asked Ms. DeVos if she had any experience running a financial institution and she continued this line of questioning listing various kind of financial institutions. What she was getting at is that that Department of Education oversees a great deal of money and Ms. DeVos has no experience running a financial institution which wasn't a fair line of questioning. I'm sure no one asked Arne Duncan if he had ever run a financial institution.
So the article is biased and misleading. Does the NYT and its reporters think that none of its readers would watch the hearings?
Also, the exchange between Senator Murkowski of Alaska is incomplete. When Senator Murkowski asked Ms. DeVos to affirm her commitment to public education, she did just that.
And I would point out that the description of Elizabeth Warren's questioning is also misleading. Senator Warren specifically asked Ms. DeVos if she had any experience running a financial institution and she continued this line of questioning listing various kind of financial institutions. What she was getting at is that that Department of Education oversees a great deal of money and Ms. DeVos has no experience running a financial institution which wasn't a fair line of questioning. I'm sure no one asked Arne Duncan if he had ever run a financial institution.
So the article is biased and misleading. Does the NYT and its reporters think that none of its readers would watch the hearings?
6
If you watched the hearing and aren't horrified at the idea of DeVos being in charge of education, it's not the Times's bias that we need to worry about.
20
Duncan, much as I didn't like him, was Chicago schools superintendent.
1
this was frightening to watch - she revealed that she had no idea how the department works, or what the responsibilities and laws are. She is simply intent on restoring a version of "separate but equal".
14
Fact, traditional schools have huge success rates over religious schools, especially when you include the home variables of parent support. For profit schools spend lower amounts on in the classroom and the result in lower school performance verified by testing. Charter Schools are becoming the way to segregate kids based on social and economic status, as it hurts students and their ability to function as adults. People like DeVos wants to get as many straws in the trough to hurt the public schools as they continue to out perform her specialty schools. Stop this stuff just on the lowering of capabilities for students stuck in the lies.
14
And like healthcare, we run into the situation that education (at the K-12 level) is not a competitive market because people in rural areas with low populations will never have excessive options to K-12 education.
A rural or semi-rural area will never be able to sustain enough education centers to make for a true competitive market allowing for the cream to rise to the top. Unless you expect children to travel 2-3 hours in each direction to attend school, this simply will not work. There is a reason that car dealerships have location rights and Starbucks learned that having too many stores in a single area meant none of them could survive.
Problems in public education require solutions in public education. Unlike Betsy DeVos, for many people public education and the opportunities provided by public eduction is all that they have, and that is not going to change in rural areas via the magic hand of some illusionary market.
Another example of being born on 3rd and thinking they hit a home run.
A rural or semi-rural area will never be able to sustain enough education centers to make for a true competitive market allowing for the cream to rise to the top. Unless you expect children to travel 2-3 hours in each direction to attend school, this simply will not work. There is a reason that car dealerships have location rights and Starbucks learned that having too many stores in a single area meant none of them could survive.
Problems in public education require solutions in public education. Unlike Betsy DeVos, for many people public education and the opportunities provided by public eduction is all that they have, and that is not going to change in rural areas via the magic hand of some illusionary market.
Another example of being born on 3rd and thinking they hit a home run.
27
DeVos has had her way with education in Detroit, where there's enough of a population that competitive practices would work if they were going to work anywhere. Her policies there are a dismal failure. Education is a cooperative system; competition is foreign to it and drives down quality.
And she strikes me as someone who was born on third and figures she hit a triple. It's not like she did anything but inherit money and use it to bribe politicians; why would you suggest that she's improved on the condition into which she was born?
And she strikes me as someone who was born on third and figures she hit a triple. It's not like she did anything but inherit money and use it to bribe politicians; why would you suggest that she's improved on the condition into which she was born?
15
I don't think that she has improved upon her conditions of birth; I suspect that her wins above replacement is zero or negative.
I think that DeVos thinks that because she was born on 3rd, that she has all the answers and is even better off than standing on 3rd, that she has made progress simply because she started 3rd. Maybe the analogy was flawed.
I think that DeVos thinks that because she was born on 3rd, that she has all the answers and is even better off than standing on 3rd, that she has made progress simply because she started 3rd. Maybe the analogy was flawed.
2
Her plan is profit-motive education. These private and cyber schools want to educate your child as cheaply as possible. They record their "success" by skimming only certain students from the public school rosters. While the public schools labor under the unfunded mandates passed in Washington, the cyber and charter schools make money off school taxes by hiring inexperienced or un-degreed teachers who will work cheaply, not offering extra curricular activities and only picking the easiest children to educate.
My child with Autism wouldn't be picked up by any for-profit school -- how do you make money off of a kid who requires special education-trained teachers and aides? She is exactly the kind of child who stays in public schools that have a mandate to give her a proper education.
The kind of school advocated for by Betsy DeVos ruin our public school systems, taking the money and walking away when bills are due.
My child with Autism wouldn't be picked up by any for-profit school -- how do you make money off of a kid who requires special education-trained teachers and aides? She is exactly the kind of child who stays in public schools that have a mandate to give her a proper education.
The kind of school advocated for by Betsy DeVos ruin our public school systems, taking the money and walking away when bills are due.
19
Hey, NYT, Rome is burning! This woman's performance yesterday should have sent shivers down the spines of every rational, literate, and engaged individual. She is clearly not interested in educating the nation's children; she is interested in enacting her scorched-earth ideology that basically boils down to this: children are chattel.
23
Why is this so hard. Devote all resources to build the best PUBLIC school system possible.
Sure some charter schools may offer a better solution, but by the time it is known how good or poor one is, many kids will have suffered. The years they spend in sub standard schools can't be recovered.
Sure some charter schools may offer a better solution, but by the time it is known how good or poor one is, many kids will have suffered. The years they spend in sub standard schools can't be recovered.
9
Kudos to the Democrats for holding DeVos’s feet to the fire. She clearly doesn’t know that states and local jurisdictions have considerable say, even after No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top, in how public education is designed and implemented at the local level. Frankly, in this global economy, we need a national education strategy to ensure that U.S. workers remain competitive.
More importantly, I fear for already underfunded school systems if DeVos is confirmed. My youngest is dyslexic and it took numerous, and I mean numerous, meetings with teachers and administrators to get her the support she needs. We are well off and live in a better school system than most in a state that poorly funds education compared to the rest of the nation. But we are so thankful for the Title I money that supports reading and writing specialists to help bring her up to grade level. I can’t imagine what will happen to other children who are not so fortunate under DeVos and Trump’s education department when they start cutting public education.
More importantly, I fear for already underfunded school systems if DeVos is confirmed. My youngest is dyslexic and it took numerous, and I mean numerous, meetings with teachers and administrators to get her the support she needs. We are well off and live in a better school system than most in a state that poorly funds education compared to the rest of the nation. But we are so thankful for the Title I money that supports reading and writing specialists to help bring her up to grade level. I can’t imagine what will happen to other children who are not so fortunate under DeVos and Trump’s education department when they start cutting public education.
11
A perfect choice for this administration-they love the poorly educated and want to make sure from now on that everyone is poorly educated. The better to retain their grip on power, while pulling the wool over the eyes of those who actually believe that this crew has their best interests at heart.
We are in deep, deep trouble.
We are in deep, deep trouble.
12
The question of vouchers is really whether a charter school relies entirely upon strictly the vouchers for tuition as do the public schools, or whether the vouchers are nothing more than subsidies for the wealthy. If the entirety of the tuition received by the charter school is the same as the public school, and therefore the charter school must operate on a level playing field with the public schools, and the charter school must fulfill all the same requirements and standards imposed upon the public school, then the concept is sound.
HOWEVER, that is not what the Republicans traditionally want. What the Republicans traditionally want is to provide subsidies for the wealthy to use to pay part of the tuition of expensive schools that would be out of the reach of the poor regardless of the vouchers. The Republicans also traditionally do not want the charter schools to have to accept any student that applies, or otherwise have to fulfill many of the same commitments public schools make to society.
HOWEVER, that is not what the Republicans traditionally want. What the Republicans traditionally want is to provide subsidies for the wealthy to use to pay part of the tuition of expensive schools that would be out of the reach of the poor regardless of the vouchers. The Republicans also traditionally do not want the charter schools to have to accept any student that applies, or otherwise have to fulfill many of the same commitments public schools make to society.
5
Charters are privatized public schools; they run on entirely public funding, but they're otherwise private (as they've argued, at length and in court, when citizens ask how they're spending those public dollars. And DeVos has donated generously to shield them from that disclosure).
Vouchers are for private or religious schools. They're a handout to parents, and usually don't cover the total cost of tuition. But they're a nice bonus for rich parents who want to send their kids to private school and otherwise might have to pay for that choice themselves.
Neither concept is sound. Vouchers support religious instruction at public expense, and charters take the same money that public schools would use to educate kids, use some of it to teach kids, and pocket the rest as profit. With equivalent students, publics do a better job teaching than either of those models (and even charters' advantage in selective enrollment is usually not enough to compensate for publics' higher-quality instruction).
But DeVos isn't concerned with what's best for kids. She's just pushing her ideology, regardless of what the reality is.
Vouchers are for private or religious schools. They're a handout to parents, and usually don't cover the total cost of tuition. But they're a nice bonus for rich parents who want to send their kids to private school and otherwise might have to pay for that choice themselves.
Neither concept is sound. Vouchers support religious instruction at public expense, and charters take the same money that public schools would use to educate kids, use some of it to teach kids, and pocket the rest as profit. With equivalent students, publics do a better job teaching than either of those models (and even charters' advantage in selective enrollment is usually not enough to compensate for publics' higher-quality instruction).
But DeVos isn't concerned with what's best for kids. She's just pushing her ideology, regardless of what the reality is.
13
Charters are almost entirely for poor kids, in inner cities, whose schools are provably FAILING.
Most children in charters are black. Charters are NOT religious schools, nor are they permitted to discriminate on race or religion.
Most children in charters are black. Charters are NOT religious schools, nor are they permitted to discriminate on race or religion.
1
Please cite these stats
2
I agree with others who said the headline here is not partisan questioning but the nominee's basic lack of background. One would have hoped she had at least prepped a bit more about debates in education and federal law. But Donald Trump, whose following was inversely correlated with education, could not be expected to nominate a secretary who would advance education of Americans.
12
Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia and other Democratic Senators served up "filet of DeVos" at last nights Senate Education confirmation hearing. His rapid fire questions eviscerated Elizabeth DeVos, whose lack of definitive answers and appalling lack of knowledge concerning the Individual with Disabilities Act, laid bare her unfitness for the position of Secretary of Education. Her ignorance only added to the "travesty, burlesque, sham, farce"( take your pick ) of a hearing, when the Republican Chairman, Senator Lamar Alexander,made a mockery of the confirmation process, by holding the hearing before DeVos' had submitted all her mandatory financial data, and then limiting Senators to one five minute round of questioning, in a blatant attempt to shield a completely unqualified nominee from embarrassing exposure.
11
Yes, they wiped the floor with her.
Much like Clinton wiped the floor with Trump at all three debates. No intelligent person who watched that show could have voted for Trump.
Still, Trump won.
Much like Clinton wiped the floor with Trump at all three debates. No intelligent person who watched that show could have voted for Trump.
Still, Trump won.
9
Because it is more than simply about Q and A and we judge candidates about more than "who has the right answer" or "who is more polished & glib".
We also judge them on character and personality and gut feelings. And most Americans hated Hillary, even many who voted for her ("with their noses pinched").
Trump spoke from the heart, no matter how awkwardly at times or unpolished his performance. You KNOW with his statements, he is not being coached or managed or using "data" to determine his words.
Mrs. DeVos will be a breath of fresh air, and she will start to rein in the unholy power of the corrupt teacher unions.
We also judge them on character and personality and gut feelings. And most Americans hated Hillary, even many who voted for her ("with their noses pinched").
Trump spoke from the heart, no matter how awkwardly at times or unpolished his performance. You KNOW with his statements, he is not being coached or managed or using "data" to determine his words.
Mrs. DeVos will be a breath of fresh air, and she will start to rein in the unholy power of the corrupt teacher unions.
2
Trump had no idea what he was talking about. Neither does DeVos. That's what you're referring to when you say that neither could back up what they said with data: that the facts do not support what they believe.
DeVos stinks. And she can "rein in the unholy power of the corrupt teacher unions" after she deals with the Easter Bunny, since teacher unions' power and corruption are about that real.
DeVos stinks. And she can "rein in the unholy power of the corrupt teacher unions" after she deals with the Easter Bunny, since teacher unions' power and corruption are about that real.
Plenty of us from West MI are very familiar with the Prince/DeVos/VanAndel clans, and are feeling a very particular dread at the prospect of Betsy DeVos as Ed Sec. Her attitude on religion in schooling (I attended the same schools she did through HS graduation) should alarm anyone who views secular education available to all as the foundation of our system. Furthermore, she is canny and manipulative with her vast fortune, and along with her brother Erik Prince and other family members, she has contributed enormous wealth and effort toward shaping the rigidly partisan, high-dollar, zero accountability environment they desire. I wouldn't trust her with my child's education in a heartbeat. She and her family really do view themselves as Kingdom Builders on a mission from God, and they've never hesitated to use their money to further that mission and cement their own status as power brokers. While most Americans were fixated on the Koch Brothers or Goldman Sachs, families like the DeVoses were hard at work, playing a long game in the state of Michigan. Dick DeVos didn't win his election to become governor - instead, he and Betsy became even more powerful and unaccountable.
Beware handing over the reins to someone accustomed to buying her goals one way or another, armed more with ideology and vaguely positive banalities than with real data and accountability to back her up.
Beware handing over the reins to someone accustomed to buying her goals one way or another, armed more with ideology and vaguely positive banalities than with real data and accountability to back her up.
456
Thank you. So many do not know this.
2
Sound like she fits right into the Trump family's playbook. Thanks for the first-hand insight!
2
I think that's how we NYers felt about Donald Trump's ascendancy.
Asked if she or her family had ever used a Pell Grant she responded that she had friends who had. Always a sound answer, ''I've got friends.''
This woman would not know how to fill out a college loan application if it bit her.
Betsy DeVos is not education's 'friend'. Incompetent at best.
I wonder what her SAT scores were or if she ever took them, (or even knows the definition of incompetent)?
This woman would not know how to fill out a college loan application if it bit her.
Betsy DeVos is not education's 'friend'. Incompetent at best.
I wonder what her SAT scores were or if she ever took them, (or even knows the definition of incompetent)?
14
She and her husband are very wealthy -- independently of each other -- why on earth would she have gotten a Pell Grant?
Why would she borrowing money for school loans, when her family is super wealthy and can pay any costs?
So now one's SAT scores determine who is and who is not competent? or who can serve in government?
Why would she borrowing money for school loans, when her family is super wealthy and can pay any costs?
So now one's SAT scores determine who is and who is not competent? or who can serve in government?
1
Update: Some of the best schools are starting to make test scores optional because SAT says little of student abilities.
The voters of Michigan did not elect Betsy's husband, Dick DeVos, when he ran for governor in 2006 and defeated a charter school ballot proposal funded by Betsy and Dick DeVos. The DeVos family bankrolls lobbyists who want to defang unions, particularly teacher unions. They are fine with destroying public schools if they can make money launching private charter schools, which, in Michigan, have dismal performance records. Please listen to the people of Michigan. We don't want Flint water and we don't want Betsy DeVos.
29
It is not clear what effect DeVos as head of Education would do to public education. She appears to embrace the statement made during the G.W. Bush administration by Lynn Cheney that "if you can't afford to send your children to private school, then they probably shouldn't go to school". No one seems to remember that. I believe about 6% of public school funding comes from the feds. For rich, mostly blue states, that probably won't make much difference. In red states, which fund public schools poorly anyway, it could generate more conservative voters that cannot think critically. That is the real goal of DeVos and Republicans generally. They get a twofer: vouchers for the rich to defray a portion of what they already pay to send their kids to private K-12, and take it away from public schools to produce more ignorant voters that generally, as we saw this cycle, that vote for them. Remember that about 40% of Republican voters think the ACA and Obamacare are different entities, and so hate Obamacare, but like what the ACA provides. My point exactly.
19
"Ms. DeVos, who did not attend public schools or send her children to public schools,..."
Of course, nothing wrong with Pres Obama sending his children to private schools (or attending a private high school himself.) It's all a matter of (partisan) perspective.
Of course, nothing wrong with Pres Obama sending his children to private schools (or attending a private high school himself.) It's all a matter of (partisan) perspective.
4
There is something wrong with Obama doing that, actually, though there's also the mitigating factor that Sidwell Friends has facilities and experience at providing security for kids of Presidents. And Obama's educational policies were horrible.
That doesn't excuse DeVos.
That doesn't excuse DeVos.
2
Obama wasn't the secretary of education - he gave that job to Arne Duncan, who had been superintendent of the Chicago public school system. But since you bring up Presidents and their views on education, look what private school/Ivy League Donald Trump did with his Trump University... That $25 million settlement had nothing to do with partisan perspective.
7
@Eric: Sasha and Malia had very ample Secret Service protection, no matter where they go and what they do. Amy Carter went to public schools!
This was about having the girls go to a posh school with other wealthy kids. No more, no less.
This was about having the girls go to a posh school with other wealthy kids. No more, no less.
2
We here in Michigan have experience with Betsy DeVos' plan for education. Michigan's school alternatives are a disaster: unregulated, low-performing, and predatory. But none of this has stopped her efforts, because performance is not the point.
Ms. DeVos despises the public schools because they are public. Choice is not the purpose of her efforts in education: the purpose is profit, monetarily and ideologically. Somehow, she claims, when public schools are struggling to provide quality education on public dollars, the same amount of money minus a profit margin will become a better education elsewhere -- an equation which cannot work unless you are like Ms. DeVos, rich enough to just take a voucher as a few thousand dollars of discount from the high-dollar private school tuition you can already afford to pay. The quality of schools for everyone else is irrelevant: because, she claims, parents will make calm, rational, well-informed choices of the best quality schools available to them, and will have multiple schools to choose from. In reality parents' choices are limited by the schools themselves, which choose their students rather than the other way around; and even when parents have options, they cannot be well-informed when the DeVos agenda of deregulation and opacity allows the schools to avoid transparency and positively mislead potential customers about their offerings, Trump University style.
Ms. DeVos despises the public schools because they are public. Choice is not the purpose of her efforts in education: the purpose is profit, monetarily and ideologically. Somehow, she claims, when public schools are struggling to provide quality education on public dollars, the same amount of money minus a profit margin will become a better education elsewhere -- an equation which cannot work unless you are like Ms. DeVos, rich enough to just take a voucher as a few thousand dollars of discount from the high-dollar private school tuition you can already afford to pay. The quality of schools for everyone else is irrelevant: because, she claims, parents will make calm, rational, well-informed choices of the best quality schools available to them, and will have multiple schools to choose from. In reality parents' choices are limited by the schools themselves, which choose their students rather than the other way around; and even when parents have options, they cannot be well-informed when the DeVos agenda of deregulation and opacity allows the schools to avoid transparency and positively mislead potential customers about their offerings, Trump University style.
672
Correct. Her notion of choice is actually choice for the charter and voucher accepting schools. They do not have to meet the same accountability standards as traditional public schools. They can choose, and expel, the students they want. There is no commitment to the good of all children; just a relegation of responsibility to parents. The way it was in the days when education happened only through private tutors.
DeVos speaks of parent choice under the notion that choice improves. Really? Choice of breakfast cereals and choice of fast food has hardly improved nutrition. Competition may be useful for consumer goods. It is disastrous for fulfilling basic human needs.
DeVos speaks of parent choice under the notion that choice improves. Really? Choice of breakfast cereals and choice of fast food has hardly improved nutrition. Competition may be useful for consumer goods. It is disastrous for fulfilling basic human needs.
3
We can also be sure these private schools will not be locating themselves in poor or benighted neighborhoods. Are parents expected to have their kids, if public transportation even exists, to have them spend hours getting to and from the private schools? We can be sure these schools will not accept special needs students or the disabled (not good for profits you see).
No, this argument about vouchers is not about education. It's about privatizing our schools so that someone can make a big fat profit off of our kids right to an education. It's as wrong as wrong can be.
No, this argument about vouchers is not about education. It's about privatizing our schools so that someone can make a big fat profit off of our kids right to an education. It's as wrong as wrong can be.
1
She probably despises anything public. Such as school, transportation, restrooms and libraries. I'm not even sure she mingles with the public. Good god if they make her in charge of something public. She won't know what to do.
I'm all for innovation and experimentation---with proper accountability---within our public school system. But, America is as bitterly divided into opposing partisan camps, as it has ever been. We've all talked about how we live in our own social media bubbles, getting our news from like-minded sources and trading comment with like-minded friends. The last thing we need is to divide America further by encouraging the development of separate, parallel school systems that may be strongly tinged by ideology. We can't prevent people from choosing private or religious schools, and I vigorously support that right. We should not, however, encourage or reward it with public money, or weaken our commitment to a public education that, ideally, brings together students from diverse backgrounds.
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Excellent point. We cannot hope to be a leader in the global economy if we are not willing to invest in public education. I was fortunate to grow up in a state which invests heavily in public education - there were private schools, but not many and the daily commute made them an inconvenient option even for those who could afford them. But I now live in a state whose commitment to public education is at the bottom of the ladder, and I see the results every time I seek to fill a position that does not require post-secondary education. We need a unified public education system - not one that varies wildly from state to state. Our economy depends on it.
1
I was planning to write something along the same lines, but your comment is the perfect expression of my own sentiments both on the need to bolster, not diminish, support the public schools and the compelling reasons to do so.
What should concern every American in a country where the Public Educational System has been the backbone of our Democracy, and the envy of many areas of the world, is having someone selected to be Secretary of Education that is only qualified to be on the PTA and not managing the future of our children's education and school system.
You would think Betsy DeVos would have a career in Education, worked and studied various educational techniques, training in various elements and learning phycology and understanding of complex philosophies of learning, nothing, she doesn't even have the qualifications to be hired as a teacher's aide.
Betsy DeVos's only qualification is as Bernie Sanders articulated, by being a billionaire, who gave millions of dollars to the Republican Party and has done her best to destroy the Public School system in Michigan.
Betsy DeVos is nothing more than a wealthy lobbyist, who has right wing conservative views on how children should be taught, but not in proven method or a background in education philosophy other than a fundaments religious bend, she has no business running the countries Public School System or setting any public policy on education.
Betsy DeVos has made her interest in schools, charter schools and vouchers her hobby, not a lifetime career of learning developing proven ways of improving education. This woman is an embarrassing potential cabinet choice is would set back our school systems to the one room prairie school houses.
You would think Betsy DeVos would have a career in Education, worked and studied various educational techniques, training in various elements and learning phycology and understanding of complex philosophies of learning, nothing, she doesn't even have the qualifications to be hired as a teacher's aide.
Betsy DeVos's only qualification is as Bernie Sanders articulated, by being a billionaire, who gave millions of dollars to the Republican Party and has done her best to destroy the Public School system in Michigan.
Betsy DeVos is nothing more than a wealthy lobbyist, who has right wing conservative views on how children should be taught, but not in proven method or a background in education philosophy other than a fundaments religious bend, she has no business running the countries Public School System or setting any public policy on education.
Betsy DeVos has made her interest in schools, charter schools and vouchers her hobby, not a lifetime career of learning developing proven ways of improving education. This woman is an embarrassing potential cabinet choice is would set back our school systems to the one room prairie school houses.
12
I agree with most of what you said, except with respect to your reference to the PTA. PTA, above all, is an advocacy organization which decades ago pushed for policies such as universal kindergarten, the school lunch program, and child labor laws. National PTA's current federal policy agenda includes education funding, early childhood education, special education, juvenile justice reform, and gun safety--not to mention the implementation of ESSA under the new administration.
As the PTA Advocacy and Legislation VP in a district encompassing hundreds of thousands of K-12 students, I can assure you that we are knee-deep in exactly the kind of policy questions that Ms. DeVos failed to answer. We educate our members on these issues. Ms. DeVos could benefit from attending one of our training sessions.
As the PTA Advocacy and Legislation VP in a district encompassing hundreds of thousands of K-12 students, I can assure you that we are knee-deep in exactly the kind of policy questions that Ms. DeVos failed to answer. We educate our members on these issues. Ms. DeVos could benefit from attending one of our training sessions.
1
Devos didn't understand the federal law for kids with disabilities, a key issue. She didn't know about the two different views on testing children, something that's been in public debate for years. She has given no thought to guns at school, and embarrassed herself with her answer about grizzly bears. She is being nominated because of the hundreds of millions she donated to Republicans and for pushing private, religious schools. She would be a disgrace to the office...inexperienced, ignorant of the basics in education, and proof that money can buy anything.
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Hopefully, her money will not buy her this position in the government. However the Republicans will still vote for her. She is an absolute disgrace.
6
This article leaves out several critical points, including the numerous demonstrations of the depth of her ignorance when it comes to educational law & policy. This was less about partisanship, and more about the fact that many of the Senators, primarily but not only Democrats, recognized and highlighted the fact that she has little to no experience in any of these areas. Betsy DeVos's lack of knowledge of rducation as a whole is dangerous for our country, and was rightfully called out during her hearing. This is what should be reported upon; it does the public understanding a great disservice when you simplify the debate by blaming it on on partisanship alone.
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The real problem with these hearings is that the Democrats cannot block any of these appointments and moderate Republicans are too afraid to do it. Thinking people can agree that she is completely incompetent, but she will still be the next Secretary of Education. The hearings are just for historical record to show just how incompetent these people are for their positions.
1
'Experience' merely proves and is of some value - only if one is doing the same job or task to standard and conditions that one has always performed said task/function and finds the results sufficient. Well the education system is not sufficient and the same-old, same-old ways of attcking the problem and instructing the stiudents in the 21st century is failing and it must fail because knowledge is increasing faster than the ability of any teacher of institutional system can comprehend and absord said new knowledge into new instruction sets. We need more visual technology instruction, the old days of the Mark Twain schoolroom are over and any student who merely relies on this forum for a int class education within the confines of the limited classroom setting is going to find themselef left behind despite any passing grade so received.
Or course—fair and balanced media, blaming all this on ‘partisanship’ takes the spotlight off the truth---how the gop is undermining our democracy. As if we’d only all stop bickering, we could work together.
The media doesn’t want to draw right wing scorn as ‘liberal’, so lamenting ‘partisanship’ is the easy way our.
But we need fierce Dem partisans to be our democracy’s protectors. We have a real enemy from within, that aims to privatize, and profit by all public services that modern democracies should guarantee its citizens. Much worse than Russian hacking of the DNC.
This nominee arrogantly offered non-answers to committee questions. She showed disrespect to congress and to rights of citizens.
‘Govt sucks.’ Tim Kaine quoted to her face that statement de vos had made.
The media doesn’t want to draw right wing scorn as ‘liberal’, so lamenting ‘partisanship’ is the easy way our.
But we need fierce Dem partisans to be our democracy’s protectors. We have a real enemy from within, that aims to privatize, and profit by all public services that modern democracies should guarantee its citizens. Much worse than Russian hacking of the DNC.
This nominee arrogantly offered non-answers to committee questions. She showed disrespect to congress and to rights of citizens.
‘Govt sucks.’ Tim Kaine quoted to her face that statement de vos had made.
1
Charter Schools are non-union. If Charter Schools were union, DeVos would sail to the nomination. But the National Education Association, which bankrolls the Democratic Party, is up in arms, so the Democrats are up in arms.
Nobody who really cares about students in inner-city schools that have failed for decades can accept the status quo. And DeVos is one of those who passionately care about this untenable situation. The NEA cares more about union power than they care about kids.
Nobody who really cares about students in inner-city schools that have failed for decades can accept the status quo. And DeVos is one of those who passionately care about this untenable situation. The NEA cares more about union power than they care about kids.
6
You simplify things, like the author. Most people aren't thrilled by teacher unions. So get over yourself. Its about ignorance, incompetence, lack of experience, lack of proof that charter schools help the poor, doubts about commitment to rape reporting, fear of moving public money to private, and fear of living in a religious autocracy for four years ala Iran. But to be clear, Irans young population is just as progressive as ours. Its all about getting the right leadership. You dig?
1
Kind of simplistic. A family member fresh out of college works at a charter in Detroit. The teacher's there (in some cases) were fired from their union jobs at Detroit Public Schools. Cops are in the school on a daily basis, kids are regularly cuffed and dragged out by police. The environment is toxic. Bottom line, you are not going to replicate the Catholic (or in DeVos' case, Calvinistic) school education with chaotic homes and embrace of dysfunction by the parents. To place it all on "unions" is silly and Ad Hominem. Betsy is a wealthy dilettante with strong opinions. Somewhat expected for a rigid person who inherited everything.
14
Joseph I guess you did not listen to the Hearing. She is, in one word incompetent. Public education is the bed rock of our society. The system provides an education to everyone, regardless of their economic situation.
8
Cool, so one student will learn real history and math, the other will learn creationism and fake history and no science. Congratulations in the 21st century!
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Charter schools are PUBLIC schools, and they do not teach religion.
Doesn't Mrs. DeVos also advocate for vouchers, which allow public dollars to be spent on private and religious parochial schools? In that case, yes, they do teach religion. Mrs. DeVos isn't only advocating for charter school expansion (as mainstream Democrat and Republican politicians have done), but funneling public school money to voucher programs that can be used on private and religious education, which is decidedly not the mainstream American opinion, at least not over the past decade.
1
Trump may have promised to "drain the swamp," but he is trying very hard to re-fill it with toxic waste.
28
Never mind the highly suspicious and, dare I say, unethical steamrolling of the majority party in its attempts to usher in nominees without requisite ethics vetting and adequate time for questioning. Ms. DeVos's performance was astonishing! Astonishing in her lack of knowledge (and curiosity) about how to manage public education, in her refusal to answer the most basic yes or no questions, and in her refusal to support gun-free zones - even when being questioned by Senator Murphy of CONNECTICUT! But, all's OK, because her "heart bleeds" over "family members" affected by gun violence.
Even suggesting this woman to head the Dept. of Education is a crime against children. Education is the single most powerful tool we have in maintaining our country's excellence, strength, and integrity. Take that away, and we lose doctors, engineers...and teachers. Children without access to funds will be left in the dust. Those who do manage to go to college could risk being buried under mountains of debt.
My hopes aren't high with this Congress and incoming administration, but I hold out hope that they put partisanship aside just this once (if not more) and put our children first. Moving forward to this nominee amounts to child abuse.
Even suggesting this woman to head the Dept. of Education is a crime against children. Education is the single most powerful tool we have in maintaining our country's excellence, strength, and integrity. Take that away, and we lose doctors, engineers...and teachers. Children without access to funds will be left in the dust. Those who do manage to go to college could risk being buried under mountains of debt.
My hopes aren't high with this Congress and incoming administration, but I hold out hope that they put partisanship aside just this once (if not more) and put our children first. Moving forward to this nominee amounts to child abuse.
60
Insane to have this person deciding whether we will have public schools or not. She knows nothing whatever about them.
marthastephens.wordpress.com
marthastephens.wordpress.com
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Good God, Betsy Devos (as in Devo?), what a complete nincompoop. Someone so wealthy and so removed from everyday people struggling to get their kids through our public school system is indicative of just another pick by the Illegitimate One to derail the very institutions these people are suppose to lead and improve upon.
I was most impressed with the thoroughly insightful and thought-provoking questions put forth by Senators Franken and Warren. Two accomplished brilliant students, Franken (Harvard educated) and Warren (Harvard educator) tore into the very heart of Devos incompetence to serve. Her utter lack of knowledge about our public educational system exposed this idiot for what she is. A Christian zealot who believes that charter schools, which she has infested her state of Michigan with, are far superior to public schools, which she deemed a "dead end" and on the verge of extinction.
I am sure such a saboteur like Devos will do her darnedest to dismantle our public education system, much like uncaring Republicans will do with Obamacare. These are horrid people, unfeeling, unsympathetic and cruel. Thanks to all those Trumpists who voted for such neanderthals. May you reap what you have sown.
DD
Manhattan
I was most impressed with the thoroughly insightful and thought-provoking questions put forth by Senators Franken and Warren. Two accomplished brilliant students, Franken (Harvard educated) and Warren (Harvard educator) tore into the very heart of Devos incompetence to serve. Her utter lack of knowledge about our public educational system exposed this idiot for what she is. A Christian zealot who believes that charter schools, which she has infested her state of Michigan with, are far superior to public schools, which she deemed a "dead end" and on the verge of extinction.
I am sure such a saboteur like Devos will do her darnedest to dismantle our public education system, much like uncaring Republicans will do with Obamacare. These are horrid people, unfeeling, unsympathetic and cruel. Thanks to all those Trumpists who voted for such neanderthals. May you reap what you have sown.
DD
Manhattan
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Agree. Except for the dig on neanderthals. Get current.
3
I was a reading teacher for 22 years and an elementary school principal for 10 years. I watched the entire DeVos hearing last night and I could not believe the committee was interviewing a person so grossly unqualified for this position. DeVos is completely unaware of fundamental curriculum and instruction principles and practices. Her resume would not even get her an interview for either a teaching or administrative position in a school district. To compound matters, the committee chair, Lamar Alexander, frustrated the Democratic senators by unfairly curtailing their questioning time. This is the Republicans' transparent attempt to limit ignorant answers by limiting probing questions. DeVos is attempting to capitalize on the many shortcomings of public schools, but placing her in charge would only exacerbate their plight and accelerate their demise.
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You have been constantly commenting here about the lavish and luxurious lives teachers across the country live, so why don't you become one yourself instead of complaining about how they rip off regular Americans? I have met a few teachers, including multiple special education teachers, and they do not have it easy, do not end their work at 2:30pm, and work just as hard (if not harder) than most people I've met in private business. Most of the great benefits you are talking about don't even apply to new teachers, which is one of the major problems in getting qualified people to take over for those older educators who are retiring; teaching is just not seen as a glamorous or good job today, and with people like you denigrating public school teachers at every chance you get, it's no wonder why.
4
@ concerned citizen,
I addressed you upthread, and since you continue to dabble in lies, I will try and set you straight again. It seems that facts are spare in your birdcage.
You say:"How can we tell? Who else gets paid these kinds of wages, for part time work that lets off at 2:30PM in the afternoon?"
I say, the most excellent teachers I work with remain in the school building at least an hour after contract time, then go home and work some more, weekends, too. They take on extra curriculars to make ends meet.
You say: "who else retires 15 years earlier than everyone else?"
I say, the most excellent teachers I work with teach at least 10 years past retirement age, in my state, they have raised the age to 60 or 60, depending on where you fall in the new tiered system. Our state pension system is bankrupt, if you've been following the adventures of Chris Christie, and there is no promise that teachers will receive the pension they made mandatory payments into their entire careers.
You say: "who else gets to opt out of SS and Medicare, because their union benefits are SO POSH and luxurious?"
I say: This is not an option and goes state by state. I pay SS, Medicare, state disability and unemployment insurance, even though I can never collect it.
You say: "who else can NEVER EVER be fired for any reason short of child molestation? who else has "rubber rooms"? who else gets all summer off with pay?"
I say: Baloney.
I addressed you upthread, and since you continue to dabble in lies, I will try and set you straight again. It seems that facts are spare in your birdcage.
You say:"How can we tell? Who else gets paid these kinds of wages, for part time work that lets off at 2:30PM in the afternoon?"
I say, the most excellent teachers I work with remain in the school building at least an hour after contract time, then go home and work some more, weekends, too. They take on extra curriculars to make ends meet.
You say: "who else retires 15 years earlier than everyone else?"
I say, the most excellent teachers I work with teach at least 10 years past retirement age, in my state, they have raised the age to 60 or 60, depending on where you fall in the new tiered system. Our state pension system is bankrupt, if you've been following the adventures of Chris Christie, and there is no promise that teachers will receive the pension they made mandatory payments into their entire careers.
You say: "who else gets to opt out of SS and Medicare, because their union benefits are SO POSH and luxurious?"
I say: This is not an option and goes state by state. I pay SS, Medicare, state disability and unemployment insurance, even though I can never collect it.
You say: "who else can NEVER EVER be fired for any reason short of child molestation? who else has "rubber rooms"? who else gets all summer off with pay?"
I say: Baloney.
8
I am the mother of two public school kids who are getting a great education despite the lack of funding in our state. I watched her hearing in horror yesterday. DeVos is completely unqualified for this position. She has no understanding of what public schools are like since she never attended one and didn't send her kids to them. In her hearings she did not appear to understand the difference between proficiency and growth. She made a ridiculous statement about Wyoming, guns and grizzly bears as her argument for why having guns at schools would be acceptable (ask my daughter who has regular lockdown drills and a plan to hide in a bathroom on top of a toilet whether guns at schools are a good idea). She also had chilling things to say about special needs students and whether they should even be educated. She has a track record of gutting public school funding which has harmed public school kids in Michigan. She clearly thinks she can coast through these hearings without doing her homework because she is a billionaire who has donated millions of dollars to Republican campaigns. The fact that Republicans want to rush through her hearings without proper vetting is shameful.
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A stealth candidate if there ever was one and more proof of the rising oligarchial-kleptocracy in store for America. DeVos and her family contributed thousands to the campaigns of at least five of the republican members of the HELP committee that conducted yesterday's confirmation hearing: Senators Burr, Murkowski, Cassidy, Scott, and Young.
Did anyone take note of the fawning, obsequious, softball questions these bozos tossed up to her royal majesty? Perhaps if they hadn't stayed in line she'd sic her Christian-warrior brother's private mercenary army on them.
Once private corporations get their sticky fingers into what has always been a local municipal enterprise (Pearson already has), you can kiss public education goodbye. Maybe local school boards can raise funds by sending the kids out to peddle Amway products.
Did anyone take note of the fawning, obsequious, softball questions these bozos tossed up to her royal majesty? Perhaps if they hadn't stayed in line she'd sic her Christian-warrior brother's private mercenary army on them.
Once private corporations get their sticky fingers into what has always been a local municipal enterprise (Pearson already has), you can kiss public education goodbye. Maybe local school boards can raise funds by sending the kids out to peddle Amway products.
1
Educational problems lie not with our schools but with our culture. Schools are mostly doing the best they can under the circumstances they face and the demands that are put upon them.
36
Your headline does a disservice to the truth: DeVos showed herself to be woefully, painfully inadequate to the cabinet post, and every non-answer demonstrated even a basic lack of understanding of education policy. Millions of dollars in campaign contributions do not make a secretary, nor should they. Props to Sens. Tim Kaine and Al Franken for their rigorous questioning; her answers indicated that she might have well-benefited from a public school education.
308
Yes. The massive leaps and bounds that we have accomplished in the last 8 years in our educational system where we have gone from 15th in the World to 36th clearly shows that we were promised "HOPE" and we Got "NOPE". Let's keep on kicking that can down the road with our failed system.
3
V
Then lets fix the problems and we know what they are -
We need small class sizes and well trained teachers with a higher salary. Destroying the good along with the inefficient is really bad policy. We also need living wages for all of those student's parents but again, it seem you just want to destroy not help build.
Then lets fix the problems and we know what they are -
We need small class sizes and well trained teachers with a higher salary. Destroying the good along with the inefficient is really bad policy. We also need living wages for all of those student's parents but again, it seem you just want to destroy not help build.
The "one size fits all" criticism does not demand that corrective action take place outside of the public education domain. There is every reason to believe that public education, given the opportunity (read: funding and skilled educators) can provide the individual instruction and care to all students. Why do we assume that charter schools and for-profit education centers can do the job any better? We're sucking the life out of public education thereby creating a self-fulfilling prophecy that says it no longer works!
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I'm not sure anybody really thinks privatized schools can do better than public schools (anybody with power, I mean--obviously there are a lot of average citizens who've fallen victim to the propaganda). I think they just mouth words about offering students options because it's hard to profit from public schools, which put public funding toward actually educating kids. It's easy to profit from the alternatives they're selling.
4
@Eric: I wish you'd discuss how Detroit schools (which employ you as a union teacher) have failed children in that city. You have some of the worst schools in the entire nation!
How could a religious or charter school POSSIBLY do any worse?
And someone IS profiting from public schools -- YOU and your immensely wealthy and powerful union.
How can we tell? Who else gets paid these kinds of wages, for part time work that lets off at 2:30PM in the afternoon? who else retires 15 years earlier than everyone else? who else gets to opt out of SS and Medicare, because their union benefits are SO POSH and luxurious? who else can NEVER EVER be fired for any reason short of child molestation? who else has "rubber rooms"? who else gets all summer off with pay?
You will never "get" until you "give". Your unions are corrupt. And Betsy DeVos will take you down. I promise.
How could a religious or charter school POSSIBLY do any worse?
And someone IS profiting from public schools -- YOU and your immensely wealthy and powerful union.
How can we tell? Who else gets paid these kinds of wages, for part time work that lets off at 2:30PM in the afternoon? who else retires 15 years earlier than everyone else? who else gets to opt out of SS and Medicare, because their union benefits are SO POSH and luxurious? who else can NEVER EVER be fired for any reason short of child molestation? who else has "rubber rooms"? who else gets all summer off with pay?
You will never "get" until you "give". Your unions are corrupt. And Betsy DeVos will take you down. I promise.
1
1. I do not teach in Detroit.
2. Neither unions nor teachers profit from education. Unions collect dues to operate, and teachers are paid a (very low, but in your mind excessive) wage for work they do.
3. Charters in Detroit are almost always worse than public schools there. As it turns out, when you run a school for profit, you tend to do a worse job educating than the schools that are run for education.
2. Neither unions nor teachers profit from education. Unions collect dues to operate, and teachers are paid a (very low, but in your mind excessive) wage for work they do.
3. Charters in Detroit are almost always worse than public schools there. As it turns out, when you run a school for profit, you tend to do a worse job educating than the schools that are run for education.
9
Watching her hearing yesterday, it was completely clear that she had little in the way of policy experience, dodged direct questions, and tried to to put cheery/vacuous spins on all of her deflection attempts. She has an agenda that is antithetical to public education, and would redirect the money set aside for our poorest students. She seems to think that smiles and canned deflection lines ("I look forward to....") will get her through this confirmation hearing, when in any rational situation, it would not. However, in this particular case, she might be right...
525
Public education interferes with parental imposition of a monoculture on their children.
And watch every Republican on the committee to vote for her.
I guess a billion here and a billion there will get you all kinds of time practising answers with a team of PR professionals. But if pressed, though, she'll invoke some deity to explain the polish to her vacuous answers.
Trump has shown a breathtaking ability to nominate people who are hostile to the departments they propose to lead. In this case DeVos's nomination is particularly galling because she has never set foot in a public schoolroom either as a parent or as an educator, and has basically used her vast fortune to bend a public good to her will. As is the pattern with Trump one outrage continues to top another. Ben Carson's nomination to HUD leader seems acceptable in contrast (although it really is not) because he has at least some minimal personal experience with the institution he's supposed to run.
487
Used her vast public fortune?
You mean like:
George Soros? or Jeff Bezos? or Michael Bloomberg? or Bill Gates (who has spent billions on education reform! The "small schools initiative", hello?)
Why is interfering in politics only wrong for billionaires, when they are CONSERVATIVE?
You mean like:
George Soros? or Jeff Bezos? or Michael Bloomberg? or Bill Gates (who has spent billions on education reform! The "small schools initiative", hello?)
Why is interfering in politics only wrong for billionaires, when they are CONSERVATIVE?
1
Buying influence is always bad. But DeVos has managed to have her policies largely enacted in Michigan, and they're a total failure. That the wealthy can buy influence is a systemic problem; DeVos's animosity toward education, and her devotion to her pet beliefs even when they've been disastrous when put into practice, are problems particular to DeVos (though shared by Trump and his other appointees, obviously).
3
It is the plan to bring down the government. They are anarchists. Remember Black Water.
1
Mainstream media is missing the bigger issues here. DeVos was unable to answer a basic question regarding proficiency vs growth. DeVos also does not understand that IDEA is federal law.
216
All she understands is inheriting money and using it to support Republican and right wing causes.
The American public has a right to qualified people running the departments of government. She is not qualified. Her nomination by Trump shows he is not qualified. The leaders of the Republican party, who took an oath of office regarding this country are showing they are not qualified. This all calls for resistance to the nth degree. The Democrats need to take this seriously. They need to resist everything Trump does and call out everyone he nominates. They need to filibuster when ever they are allowed to and work like crazy to communicate to the people what is actually going on in the Trump administration.
The American public has a right to qualified people running the departments of government. She is not qualified. Her nomination by Trump shows he is not qualified. The leaders of the Republican party, who took an oath of office regarding this country are showing they are not qualified. This all calls for resistance to the nth degree. The Democrats need to take this seriously. They need to resist everything Trump does and call out everyone he nominates. They need to filibuster when ever they are allowed to and work like crazy to communicate to the people what is actually going on in the Trump administration.
2
It's so obvious that she's is just a drone being put in place to follow the policy of those who nominated her. Increasing choice is a fantastic idea but, as mentioned in the article, in many cases there is NO local viable options or choices for parents and students all over our nation.
This is akin to me saying an inexperienced millionaire should be president. You know, someone who hasn't worked for the people for years in preparation for the job. Wait, that's also what's happening...
This is akin to me saying an inexperienced millionaire should be president. You know, someone who hasn't worked for the people for years in preparation for the job. Wait, that's also what's happening...
59
Every way we've tried to increase school choice so far has failed. As it turns out, when you give people a choice, they tend to look for the school that will give their kid the best grade, not the school that offers the best education. Add a profit motive into that, and you've got what we currently have: a bunch of choice schemes that drive overall quality down, not up.
And DeVos figures the solution to that problem is to make it worse.
And DeVos figures the solution to that problem is to make it worse.
8
While any number of the individuals selected by the incoming administration are unqualified, her lack of experience and knowledge is stunning. She does not know anything about the laws, practices, or policies that she would be in charge of. Plus because the ethics review is not complete, it's unclear how she and her family would be affected by the actions of this department. Finally, the rules being used for her confirmation are arbitrary and seem intended to limit the ability of senators to find out much about her or demonstrate her lack of qualification. I do hope there are some Republicans with a spine who care about education in this country.
235
Don't hold your breath.
22
I'm sure there are Republicans who actually care about the country beyond the 1%, but they have been told to shut up, or are in such a small minority, it won't make a difference. We'll see when they try and eliminate Social Security and Medicare. Remember the Tea Party sign: "Get the government out of my Medicare". Stupidity rules the United States now, and Republicans have been champions at exploiting it. At least we can give them credit for that. DeVos seems to be one of them.
11
Betsy DeVos is a true hero using her wealth to advance educational opportunities for all children, but particularly the poor and minority students so often sacrificed at the altar of the teachers unions. Bravo Ms. DeVos! Godspeed!
9
You really have no idea what this is about, do you? The public education system is one of the greatest assets a country can have, and one of the best ways to ensure that citizens from the lowest rungs of society have a fighting chance out. We need to strengthen our public education system. DeVos and other proponents of school vouchers intend to destroy public education by taking resources away from schools that are accountable to taxpayers and into the hands of private, unaccountable investors. Wake up! When hedge funds are paying for advertisements in support of charter schools, you know that the public interest is not the motivating factor at work. It is greed, pure and simple. They want their hands on our taxpayer dollars. Business as usual with these folks: public investment, private profit.
127
Betsy DeVos has used her wealth. That's as far as your post went before it departed from reality completely. She's used her wealth, for the most part, to limit poor and minority students' access to quality education by driving down quality in the public schools, which are consistently the most accessible and highest-quality schools available to them. The teachers' unions have opposed her, which puts them on the side that's best for kids. If there are heroes in this situation, it's the unions that are heroes.
80
Surely you jest!
PS
Sarcasm usually doesn't go over well in the comments section.
PS
Sarcasm usually doesn't go over well in the comments section.
15
She has no clue. Fits right in.
116
This ideologically driven woman will have little effect on America's schools in the long run because progress in K-12 education is and will always be dependent on states not the federal government. Which is not to say that she cannot do harm by undermining public schools by putting federal dollars into the illusion that school vouchers and private schools will be our salvation. At best, school choice and even moderately worthy efforts such as charter schools will effect our overall system only at the margins. The countries whose students routinely outperform ours do not rely on vouchers and the ones in Europe and Canada have sturdy public school systems with strong unions.
Ms De Vos if she becomes education secretary will be no more than a footnote in the struggle for American K-12 education competence. It is states who must step up and improve America's K-12 education system and, with some honorable exceptions, so far they have done a dismal job of it.
Ms De Vos if she becomes education secretary will be no more than a footnote in the struggle for American K-12 education competence. It is states who must step up and improve America's K-12 education system and, with some honorable exceptions, so far they have done a dismal job of it.
20
One hopes the damage she can do will be limited by the position she'll hold.
Still, I'd prefer someone in that position who wasn't actually trying to make things worse. Someone trying to do good might be similarly limited, but what little they accomplished would be positive. Anything DeVos does is certain to be negative.
But even if she were not approved, I can't imagine Trump appointing someone competent and qualified.
Still, I'd prefer someone in that position who wasn't actually trying to make things worse. Someone trying to do good might be similarly limited, but what little they accomplished would be positive. Anything DeVos does is certain to be negative.
But even if she were not approved, I can't imagine Trump appointing someone competent and qualified.
4
Why are Republicans so swift to give tax money away to business entities? Particularly ones that pay their founders/principals irresponsibly high salaries? So that the founders/principals can make campaign donations to those who will perpetuate the giving away of public money to private institutions?
9
Wish I could agree with you. Unfortunately, she will slow down or reverse our chance of advancing considerably. And on principle, a billionaire who tried to sneak her own agenda past the parents of her state and other states should not be allowed anywhere near the Dept of Education.
9
Her husband is an heir to the Amway fortune.....one scammer married to another.
182
My thoughts exactly. Isn't Amway a pyramid scheme? Oh boy!
42
And soon to be employed by a third.
the party of grifters.
the party of grifters.
12
Her brother owns Blackwater. The more I learn about her family the more it all feels icky.
4
This woman has no experience and will only do harm to the students who need the most support.
159
How is this not your lead story?
This woman is utterly inept. She is not only untrained, she is ignorant of basic pedagogy,
Further, her stance would decimate public schools.
Nothing thus far has alarmed me more than this hearing...... It's getting real now.
This woman is utterly inept. She is not only untrained, she is ignorant of basic pedagogy,
Further, her stance would decimate public schools.
Nothing thus far has alarmed me more than this hearing...... It's getting real now.
518
Next time I fly on an airplane, or need an important medical procedure, I'll make sure that the people in charge have no experience either.
6
She is going to withdraw. This billionaire did not get up this morning intending to be so ridiculed, in public, by the little people.
However, i really do want me grand children to be safe from grizzly bears !!!I