Prior to the confirmation hearing of Betsy DeVos, I contacted my state senator, Pat Toomey to express my extreme opposition to DeVos as Secretary of Education. After calling his office, leaving several messages, signing petitions in opposition to DeVos, and emailing his office, I finally got a response. I would say it is a little too late for a response at this point–20 some odd days after my initial contacts–but I do appreciate that he responded to my outreach. However, I am not happy with his response. I feel that Senator Toomey attempted to provide “alternate facts” about DeVos in an attempt to make himself, #45, and DeVos appear to be doing myself and the American public a favor by the appointment of DeVos. I however have a lot of opposition to what he stated and I would like to provide some rebuttal to his letter.
I have provided a screenshot of the reply from Senator Toomey:
First I would like to state that I have several friends and colleagues who are PA residents that went the same route of contacting Senator Toomey–We all got the same response.
Think about that for a second. We all got the same response…..
Are you done thinking yet? I hope you are because I have a lot to say.
I hope this outrages you as much as it does me! I understand that Senator Toomey receives countless emails and calls but failing to address my individual concerns for the appointment of DeVos is unauthentic and disingenuous.
I would like to address this letter in parts because it is rather wordy and broad–I think taking the response, paragraph by paragraph will be easier to decipher and fact check.
Paragraph from Toomey: “As you know, on January 20, 2017, President Trump nominated Betsy DeVos to serve as the Secretary of Education. For 28 years, Secretary DeVos worked on behalf of children, parents, and teachers to ensure that all children, regardless of income level or zip code, are not trapped in low-performing or failing schools. Because of Secretary DeVos’s work to expand charter schools, virtual schools, school choice, tuition tax credits, and education savings accounts, hundreds of thousands of children that had been trapped in low-performing and failing schools have gained access to a quality education.”
My response: Who is DeVos? What has she done to qualify her as Secretary of Education? DeVos “is a former Republican Party chairwoman in Michigan and chair of the pro-school-choice advocacy group American Federation for Children” (Strauss, 2016). In these roles, DeVos has worked to create programs and pass laws that “require the use of public funds to pay for private school tuition in the form of vouchers and similar programs” (Strauss, 2016). In fact, “DeVos [has] promised time and again to shrink Uncle Sam’s impact on the nation’s schools—to devolve decisions back to states, communities, educators and parents” (Petrilli, 2017).
How has her charter system faired in Michigan? Michigan “has 300 charter schools, and more than 80 percent are run by for-profit companies — the highest rate in the nation” (Ali, 2017). In that respect, DeVos has done a great job of drumming up business and turning schools into for profit centers that are not concerned about students but the bottom line. DeVos has advocated for laws and policies that deregulate charter schools and allow the schools to run unchecked (Ali, 2017; Dixon, 2014). Just as DeVos has promised and shown through her past experiences, she is determined that the Federal Government will not regulate schools, under her regime, but states will allow those with access and privilege to benefit from these “options.”
According to Senator Toomey, DeVos has saved “hundreds of thousands of children that have been trapped in low performing and failing schools” but according to the Detroit Free Press, “38% of charter schools that received state academic rankings during the 2012-13 school year fell below the 25th percentile, meaning at least 75% of all schools in the state performed better” (Dixon, 2014). Further expanding the “success” of these schools though statistics that show “150 Michigan charter schools have been around for 10 years or more and 64 percent are in the bottom half of ranked schools” (Ali, 2017). Obviously, a deregulation of federal control is not working in Michigan so why would should she be put in the driver seat of Federal Regulations for education? I would argue to dismantle the establishment but I’ll get into that later.
Paragraph from Toomey: “Secretary DeVos understands the necessity of a high quality education for all Americans, including students with disabilities. Secretary DeVos is dedicated to enforcing the rights of students with disabilities and giving them the best education possible-including giving their parents the freedom to choose the best school or environment to help their children thrive. Secretary DeVos has also stated that she will direct the Department of Education to fund research on evidence-based practices that best aid in educating students with disabilities.”
My response: Senator Toomey is absolutely false in his statement that DeVos understands the rights of students with disabilities. Need I remind everyone about the confirmation hearing and how DeVos couldn’t answer simple responses about the federal Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)—“which requires public schools to provide children with disabilities a “free appropriate public education” and governs how states and public agencies provide various services to millions of students (Strauss, 2016). When Senator Tim Kaine asked her if all schools that receive federal funding should be required to meet the requirements of IDEA, DeVos responded, “I think they already are.” Senator Kaine then responded with, “But I’m asking you a should question,” to which DeVos replied “I think that is a matter best left to the states.” Ultimately what Senator Kaine got from DeVos was an example that talked about “a Florida voucher program for students with disabilities that requires students to sign away their IDEA due process rights” (Strauss, 2016). Again, DeVos has stayed true to her word and opted and pushed for a deregulation of Federal Government requirements—what happens to those with disabilities that cannot afford the “better” schools.
On a personal level, my biggest issue with DeVos was her stance and misunderstanding of IDEA. I have a sister with developmental disabilities who would have not received the support she needed had IDEA not existed. Growing up in West Virginia, a state with low high school and college graduation rates, I am not sure that my sister would have received any of the education she needed without policies in place like IDEA. In the example DeVos provided, families were required to sign away IDEA rights—what if the parents were unable to understand what that meant and this severely impacted their student? I cannot support her ideology behind what IDEA is not needed or should be waved—who is going to protect individuals with disabilities, certainly not her for-profit schools.
Paragraph from Toomey: “Like Secretary DeVos, I have long been a supporter of education reforms that allow parents to choose the schools their children attend. No one cares more about a child, or knows a child better, than the child’s parents. Giving parents the ability to choose the best school for their children can only help children achieve their potential. Many states and cities around the country have already implemented successful school choice programs, resulting in increased test scores, graduation rates, and a brighter future for children.”
My response: Senator Toomey has offered little legislation to support education reform or establish educational standards since being elected to Senate in 2011 (Gov Track US, 2017). I found though Gov Track US, that Senator Toomey has enacted keeping child predators from classrooms—I think this is great but this seems to be a Federal Government level mandate, which Senator Toomey opposes. What highlights are stated on Senator Toomey’s website are: “Empowering Parents to Obtain an Outstanding K-12 Education for Their Children,” “Keeping Child Predators Out of Our Classrooms,” and “Making College & Student Loans More Affordable” (Toomey, 2017). Some of his initiatives at face value look good or helpful but reading his stance on each area becomes problematic.
Under his section titled, Empowering Parents to Obtain an Outstanding K-12 Education for Their Children,” you can read the following:
“Senator Toomey believes in more parental and local control over elementary and secondary schools. He is working to end years of Washington bureaucrats dictating local schools’ policies He has voted for the bipartisan Every Child Achieves Act, which provides that the federal government will no longer be able to coerce states into adopting Common Core-or any other standards, curriculum, or testing requirements. The bill also takes decisions regarding school accountability, school improvement, and teacher evaluations away from Washington and returns them to parents and the states. Second, Senator Toomey supports school choice and believes that parents should have the power to decide what is best for their children’s education. Pennsylvania is currently home to 162 charter schools, public schools that provide choices for parents seeking the best education for their kids. Senator Toomey voted for the bipartisan Every Child Achieves Act, which authorizes grants to open new charter schools, gives existing charter schools more flexibility in how they use federal funds, and authorizes grants to replicate and expand those charter schools with a record of success. These reforms will enable more Pennsylvania children to attend innovative, successful charter schools.”
I find this incredibly convenient that is so closely aligns with the stance and beliefs of DeVos—I would argue that his page was updated to support his reasons for supporting the nomination of DeVos. I personally disagree with Toomey’s entire stance—look at the “success” of DeVos’ initiatives in Michigan and tell me he is correct.
I also felt a strong sense of disbelief by Toomey’s section on titled “Making College & Student Loans More Affordable.” Toomey’s site states, “Families should not be expected to invest tens of thousands of dollars in a college education without knowing whether that education can lead to a good, high-paying job” (Toomey, 2017). My opinion is that Senator Toomey states that education serves no other purpose than employment and that education is not a way of creating a cultured society but rather a work or labor force. As an individual who works in higher education, I am constantly faced with students who think along this same mindset and I struggle to help them understand the value of holistic education. As a student, I faced some of the same concerns and questions, often wondering why I needed art appreciation or history courses if I was not interested in those fields of study. What I didn’t realize at the time, was that this curriculum was shaping me as a person and providing a new way to critically analyze the world around me. I would argue that instead of informing parents and students of the costs of college and making sure they want to invest their time and money, we should be looking at education as a whole to be more cost effective. College curriculums shouldn’t fall by the wayside so everyone can graduate with a work force ready degree—colleges should be made more affordable through federal government regulation.
Paragraph from Toomey: “On February 7, 2017, the Senate voted 50-50 on Mrs. DeVos’s nomination to be Secretary of Education, with Vice President Pence casting a tie-breaking vote to confirm her. I look forward to working with Secretary DeVos and the Department of Education to ensure that all children are able to attain a quality education.”
My response: Obviously, I’m going to disagree with Senator Toomey because I do not think that he will advocate for the needs of anyone but the 1% and through the provided examples, I have clearly stated that DeVos has been unsuccessful in her “career” of reforming education.
I’ll leave you with some last thoughts. First, Senator Toomey, I hope you get the chance to read this and know whole heartedly I will work to support whatever opponent is up against you in the next election—not because you voted and unqualified individual as our Secretary of Education but for two reasons: (1) You could not even give me the decency of responding to me as an individual but provided this stock response. (2) As I explored your stances and voting history, I was woefully unimpressed with you and realized more than ever you are not here to support me as a PA resident but are interested in your own special interest groups and personal interest. Secondly, I would like to note that DeVos supported Senator Toomey’s campaign with a contribution of $60,050 (Blumenthal, 2017). I do not believe for one second that you would have voted any other way after receiving financial support from DeVos—that being said, you are not able to be objective to her appointment and should have abstained from the vote. Lastly, I encourage all of you (regardless of what state you reside in) to become active and fight to change this system of money and corporations controlling the government. We have to stop believing the lies of the 1% and we have to stand and reclaim this country
References
Ali, S. S. (2017, February). Why DeVos is riling up education advocates. Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/why-betsy-devos-riling-education-advocates-n716491
Blumenthal, P. (2017, February). Here’s how much Betsy DeVos and her family paid to back GOP senators who will support her. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/betsy-devos-donations_us_5893bd80e4b0c1284f251c5f
Dixon, J. (2014, June). Michigan spends $1B on charter schools but fails to hold them accountable. Retrieved from http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2014/06/22/michigan-spends-1b-on-charter-schools-but-fails-to-hold/77155074/
Gove Track US (N.D.). Sen. Patrick “Pat” Toomey: Senator from Pennsylvania, Republican. Retrieved from https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/patrick_toomey/400408
Petrilli, M. J. (2017, February). Here’s why Betsy DeVos will be a great Education Secretary. Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/02/07/heres-why-betsy-devos-will-be-great-education-secretary.html
Strauss, V. (2016, December). A sobering look at what Betsy DeVos did to education in Michigan — and what she might do as secretary of education. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/12/08/a-sobering-look-at-what-betsy-devos-did-to-education-in-michigan-and-what-she-might-do-as-secretary-of-education/?utm_term=.a596ab79268a
Toomey, P. (2017). Education. Retrieved from http://www.toomey.senate.gov/?p=issue&id=31
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