TAKE ACTION
http://action.now.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=12652 January 24, 2017
Oppose Confirmation of Unqualified Nominee Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary
DeVos is Clearly Unqualified – Betsy DeVos, a voucher and charter
school promoter, has absolutely no experience with public education and
is one of the most unqualified candidates to be picked by the incoming
Trump administration. A billionaire, DeVos has spent millions to promote
vouchers using taxpayer funds which often end up supporting
religiously-affiliated schools, unaccountable charter and online
schools. The billions of public dollars that now flow to these private,
religious and even for-profit entities deprive local public schools of
critically needed finances.
Charter Schools Unaccountable –
Numerous studies have shown that, in general, taxpayer-funded,
voucher-supported charter schools do not improve student outcomes as
compared to similar public schools. Additionally, these schools do not
have to comply with certain state and federal laws and students are not
covered by the same protections that public school students are
provided. Voucher-supported schools are not financially and
administratively accountable to the public; lack of transparency and
fiscal mismanagement characterize many voucher-supported schools in
various states.
Michigan Student Achievement Declines – In
Michigan where charter schools abound – thanks to the DeVos family – the
state sends $1 billion in education funding each year to charter
schools; 80 percent of charters are for-profit operations. Over the last
two decades Michigan’s rank has fallen on national reading and math
tests and most charter schools perform below average. A 2015 federal
review found “an unreasonably high” percentage of charter schools on
Michigan’s list of lowest-performing schools.
DeVos Wants to
“Advance” God’s Kingdom in Schools – DeVos’ family has contributed more
than $200 million to the Republican Party and $47 million to politicians
committed to undermining public schools, including campaign
contributions to Republican senators considering her nomination. A
religious fundamentalist, DeVos has said that her work is a way to
“advance God’s kingdom” and, if confirmed, will help Donald Trump carry
out a promise to send $20 billion of taxpayer funds to unaccountable
voucher-supported schools.
Hearings Demonstrated DeVos’ Lack of
Understanding – During the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Committee hearings, Ms. DeVos consistently demonstrated her lack of
understanding of such important programs as the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act and Title IX equal education protections and
enforcement of policies related to sexual harassment and sexual assault
on campus, as overseen by the Office for Civil Rights. When asked if she
would commit to upholding the Department’s guidance on Title IX as it
relates to sexual assault, DeVos would not commit to doing so at this
time.
Please use the formatted message (or write one of your own)
in this action alert to urge senators to oppose the confirmation of
Department of Education (DoED) secretary nominee, Betsy DeVos.
