Reblogged from NANCY BAILEY’S EDUCATION WEBSITE
Betsy DeVos does not understand what it is like to teach in any school let alone poor public schools. She does not understand what the lives of real teachers and students are like.
She does not understand the problems facing many of America’s children. These problems won’t be solved with a voucher. They also won’t be fixed by substandard charter schools run by those who know little about children.
I do not believe she should be barred from public schools. Public schools are supposed to be open to everyone.
I think she should face parents and teachers who disagree with her platform within those schools–not sit and politely talk with those who agree with her at a photo op with President Trump. Neither one of them know anything about public schools.
Betsy DeVos should spend time with the many moms of students with disabilities who homeschool not because they want to, but because schools have cut special education services partly due to the message that Individual Education Plans are less important than Common Core State Standards.
This is a post I wrote about Bill and Melinda Gates, but it is just as significant for Betsy DeVos or any other billionaire who thinks they understand school reform and the problems found in our public schools. I changed the words a bit.
Here’s what’s hard. I have added a few new points:
- Watching your school district throw money at unproven technology when basic needs are your students not met.
- Being dismissed as a teacher, when you are the only professional in the room who understands children and how they learn.
- Being dismissed as a parent, when you understand your child best.
- Being an over tested kindergartner, not getting any recess, and being made to feel you are a failure before you get started in your schooling.