By Pamela Sweetwood
You probably heard the extensive backlash about our recently approved Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos. She was the one who could not answer basic questions in hearings and could not be against guns in schools in case a grizzly bear shows up for class.
Likely you know she has been an advocate of vouchers and has almost no experience with public education. She’s a large donor who has dedicated her time, effort and family fortune to dismantling public education. What you should know is how Michigan and other states were affected by her efforts.
She originally sponsored a referendum to change the state constitution for money to flow to religious schools. When that effort failed, she changed her focus to supporting through a PAC candidates against public education. She is in favor of charter schools. Charter schools are independently managed, publicly funded institutions. She was fined over 5.3 million for Ohio election law violations. She spent 1.7 million in Michigan alone and has said she is buying influence and expects something in return.
- Michigan is 1 of 5 states that literacy has decreased since 2003.
- 70-80% of schools are now private, for profit.
- Half the charter schools are in the bottom 25% of academic performance
- Only 1/3 of 8th graders could read at their grade level.
The National Association of Charter Schools Authorizes states Michigan has one of the worst charter school ratings, lacking all of its recommended policies.
Charter schools may be funded publicly but are not held to the accountability of public schools. They receive 1 billion dollars a year and are unregulated. They can open and close anytime. When a school closes, they keep their funds and purchases. Fraud is common.The system is set-up to promote segregation and for some that’s the attraction. Charter schools further destroys urban areas.
There is a 7 minute video named Public Education Stop DeVos on facebook that offers a historical, factual compilation utilizing a variety of newspapers, television and interviews as sources.
The amount of damage possible in education is BIGLY to quote her friend. It will have consequences for generations to come.
Pamela Sweetwood was an ISU student, like many, who never left town. She works in higher education and has a history with many community non-profits organizations.
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