WATCH: Betsy DeVos Speaks About School Choice – Skimps On The Details

This week, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos gave a speech at the American Federation for Children Summit 2017. She keeps talking about school choice, but she seems to be skimping on the details of how that will work.

She said:

“We must offer the widest number of quality options to every family and every child. We stand on the verge of the most significant opportunity we have ever had to drag American education out of the Stone Age and into the future.”

She said that the state of Indiana could serve as a model for what she wants to do, but, again, no details. She continued:

“If a state doesn’t want to participate, that would be a terrible mistake on their part. They will be hurting the children and families who can least afford it. If politicians in a state block education choice, it means those politicians do not support equal opportunity for all kids.”

Washington Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee said:

“Once again, Secretary DeVos is putting her extreme privatization agenda ahead of our students. DeVos claims she wants to provide more choices for students and families, but in reality, voucher programs siphon taxpayer funds from public schools to unaccountable private and religious schools that often leave children worse off.”

This is not where we need our education system to be headed. We cannot be funding religious schools with taxpayer money. We should be using that money to be making our public schools better. Teachers should be paid a decent wage.

DeVos also doesn’t seem to be opposed to sending students to schools that discriminate. She said just yesterday:

“If a parent chooses to go to a school that is not a public school, then that is a decision made and a contract made with that provider.”

Do we really want our taxpayer money going to these kinds of schools?

Watch the full AFC speech (after the jump):

Featured image via YouTube screenshot.

Hi, I'm from Huntsville, AL. I'm a Liberal living in the Bible Belt, which can be quite challenging at times. I'm passionate about many issues including mental health, women's rights, gay rights, and many others. Check out my blog weneedtotalkaboutmentalhealth.com