Airport discusses controversial education secretary

On February 7th, 2017, Betsy DeVos was confirmed as the new Secretary of Education despite fervent, bipartisan opposition.

This businesswoman has been a very controversial figure for the past few weeks since President Trump nominated her for the position. Her support of private education and Christian presence in public schools, as well as her nonexistent experience in public education system, make her unpopular among many.

During the voting period, a few Airport teachers and students openly discussed what their opinions were on Betsy DeVos’ cabinet nomination and their opinions, generally, on the current state of the system of public education.

Popular English teacher, Mr. Fowler, and his friendly student teacher, Mr. Husmann, shared their thoughts on the the privatization of education. Mr. Husmann said that it doesn’t work, explaining that by making schools for-profit, the rich get the best treatment and everyone else gets left behind. He and Mr. Fowler had many opinions regarding the current flaws of the system. Mr. Fowler expressed that politicians who make the policies that govern our schools don’t understand what it’s like to be in the trenches, and he lamented how our schools buy expensive technology but don’t teach educators how to best utilize them in the classroom.

When asked if they were okay with somebody like Mrs. DeVos, who has no experience with the public education system being given administrative positions, they both said no. Mr. Fowler even went as far to tell me that “politicians who deal with education should be forced to substitute in schools,” saying that that would solve the substitute shortage and the problem of politicians not knowing what schools are like nowadays.

Mrs. Fowler, another trustworthy and popular English teacher, also had strong opinions about the issue. She hadn’t heard much about the new Education Secretary, but she did know she did not have any public education experience. She told me about her dissatisfaction with how Common Core was implemented, saying, “I think in theory of all the students learning the same thing, at the same time was a good idea” but that the specifics needed work. When asked what her opinions were of someone who didn’t have any experience being given an cabinet administrative job, she said that it did indeed make her nervous. Mrs. Fowler then asked a good question: “Can we really say that simply having education experience makes you fit to run the system? We have had people who have that experience yet the system is still flawed.” Mrs. Fowler encouraged critics to look at both sides of the issue before making rash judgments.

According to a Fox News opinion article by Liz Peek, DeVos’ lack of experience will provide her “independence” and a “different perspective.” Will a different perspective from the establishment truly be beneficial?

On the other hand, the Washington Post states in their article “A sobering look at what Betsy DeVos did to education in Michigan — and what she might do as secretary of education” by Valerie Strauss, Betsy DeVos is not the right candidate. Strauss says she is a lobbyist, and that her inexperience and business mindset will be disastrous for our education system.

Sydney T., an Airport freshmen and good student, shared that in the past she wasn’t presented as many opportunities when she went to poorer public schools. She stated that schools’ current anti-bullying efforts don’t work either. She likes her teachers, because she believes they genuinely care for her education. Will DeVos honestly be able to fix the issues that affect our nation’s public school students? Will she be able to guide the reform of our public education system if she has no experience in it? These are all questions that will be answered in the next four years, whether we like the answer or not.

Today, Betsy DeVos, a candidate with no experience in the office she will hold, will be our new Education Secretary for the rest of Trump’s presidential term. Despite the mixed opinions and different perspectives on her qualifications, she will be overseeing the education of America’s youth. Will she be able to provide brand new solutions to the issues that face our public schools, or will she fail them?

Even though the voting period has passed and she has been confirmed, it cannot hurt to call your representatives to let them know your opinions as American citizens. Representative Tim Scott’s phone number is (202) 224-6121, and Senator Lindsey Graham’s phone number is (202) 224-5972.