Betsy Devos has been nominated for Secretary of Education.
Like many of Trump's nominees, she is simply not a good choice for the position. She has had no personal experience with public schools. Both she and her children attended private schools. She is a lobbyist, not an educator.
Some Concerns:
More concerns emerging during her senate hearing:
You can view video clips from the hearings on various sites, including ItsTimeToFight,
and the full 3 hour hearing here.
What Can You Do?
1. Call the HELP Committee who can approve/reject her nomination.
2. Call your individual senators if they are on the committee.
(The website It's Time to Fight is an amazing resource to find committee lists,
as well as call/email scripts)
MY CALL SCRIPT:
HELP COMMITTEE CALL SCRIPT
The HELP Committee is who will confirm Betsy Devos' nomination.
Call: 202-224-5375
Note: Keep in mind that the Democrats will likely already oppose Ms. Devos. The ones that need to be convinced are the Republican committee members. That's who your audience is.
Hi, is there someone I can talk to to voice my concerns about one of the appointees?
Thanks. I am concerned about the appointment of Betsy Devos, especially after some of her responses in her confirmation hearing.
She didn't seem to be familiar with basic educational concepts and laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Act, and the proficiency vs. growth debate in regards to student assessment. She wouldn't commit to upholding Title IX, and she wouldn't commit to providing equal treatment for students with disabilities at charter schools or voucher programs. She doesn't have any experience with public schools as an educator, student, or parent.
For these reasons I am very concerned about her nomination, and would recommend that the committee members vote no. The American people deserve someone more qualified.
Thank you.
CALL TALKING POINTS:
If you're like me and don't really like reading out an actual script, here is a list of the main talking points:
It's Time To Fight Script
Solitary Sundays Script
Tiny Letter Script (personally, though I think this script contains too much left-leaning rationale to be of use in influencing the Republicans in the committee to change their minds)
Further Reading:
6 Astonishing things Betsy Devos did/didn't say in her hearing - Washington Post
Questions Betsy Devos struggled to answer - Time
What You Should Know About Betsy Devos - Chalkbeat
Betsy Devos - It's Time To Fight
4 Reasons Parents Should Care about Betsy Devos as Sec. of Ed. - Romper
American Federation of Teachers Statement
Like many of Trump's nominees, she is simply not a good choice for the position. She has had no personal experience with public schools. Both she and her children attended private schools. She is a lobbyist, not an educator.
Some Concerns:
- No experience in public office
- No experience as an educator
- No experience attending or sending her children to public schools
- No experience with student loans
(Pell Grants are what 30% of the Dept of Ed's budget goes toward) - Mostly her work is in advocating for school vouchers and charter schools
(critics of voucher programs argue vouchers don't improve student experience, drain funds from public schools while dramatically increasing the budget needed per student, and charter schools increase segregation)
More concerns emerging during her senate hearing:
You can view video clips from the hearings on various sites, including ItsTimeToFight,
and the full 3 hour hearing here.
- On Campus Sexual Assault - Refused to commit to upholding Title IX in regards to sexual assault victims, and in fact has supported organizations that fight for those accused of sexual assault, rather than the victims.
- On Rights for Students with Disabilities - Doesn't seem to think students with disabilities should have a right to fair and equal treatment, and didn't seem to understand that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is federal law.
- On Assessing Student Achievement: Didn't seem to be familiar with this (growth vs. proficiency) debate in education. (for a little humor, see this)
- On Guns in Schools: Seems to think we shouldn't have a federal ban on guns in schools
because of potential grizzly bears. - On Privatizing Public Schools: Would not state that she wouldn't work towards privatizing public education.
What Can You Do?
1. Call the HELP Committee who can approve/reject her nomination.
2. Call your individual senators if they are on the committee.
(The website It's Time to Fight is an amazing resource to find committee lists,
as well as call/email scripts)
MY CALL SCRIPT:
HELP COMMITTEE CALL SCRIPT
The HELP Committee is who will confirm Betsy Devos' nomination.
Call: 202-224-5375
Note: Keep in mind that the Democrats will likely already oppose Ms. Devos. The ones that need to be convinced are the Republican committee members. That's who your audience is.
Hi, is there someone I can talk to to voice my concerns about one of the appointees?
Thanks. I am concerned about the appointment of Betsy Devos, especially after some of her responses in her confirmation hearing.
She didn't seem to be familiar with basic educational concepts and laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Act, and the proficiency vs. growth debate in regards to student assessment. She wouldn't commit to upholding Title IX, and she wouldn't commit to providing equal treatment for students with disabilities at charter schools or voucher programs. She doesn't have any experience with public schools as an educator, student, or parent.
For these reasons I am very concerned about her nomination, and would recommend that the committee members vote no. The American people deserve someone more qualified.
Thank you.
CALL TALKING POINTS:
If you're like me and don't really like reading out an actual script, here is a list of the main talking points:
- Unfamiliar with basic educational concepts (IDEA & Proficiency vs. Growth)
- Wouldn't commit to upholding Title IX sexual assault guidance
- Wouldn't commit to equal treatment for students with disabilities
- No experience with public schools
It's Time To Fight Script
Solitary Sundays Script
Tiny Letter Script (personally, though I think this script contains too much left-leaning rationale to be of use in influencing the Republicans in the committee to change their minds)
Further Reading:
6 Astonishing things Betsy Devos did/didn't say in her hearing - Washington Post
Questions Betsy Devos struggled to answer - Time
What You Should Know About Betsy Devos - Chalkbeat
Betsy Devos - It's Time To Fight
4 Reasons Parents Should Care about Betsy Devos as Sec. of Ed. - Romper
American Federation of Teachers Statement
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