Teachers, parents and concerned citizens gathered on the steps of Senator Lamar Alexander’s office Monday to call on him to vote “no” on Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education.
Mariah Varner, a special education teacher, said, “Betsy DeVos is ill-equipped, inexperienced, and unqualified for the position of Secretary of Education. DeVos’s primary experience in education lies in her membership of the American Federation for Children. However, her role in this group did not involve educational leadership or even any direct contact with children or students.
Instead, DeVos simply acted as a lobbyist who funneled money into certain schools and projects (such as ‘The Greater Lakes Fund’, which has been highly detrimental to Michigan schools).
“DeVos has no experience whatsoever in teaching, school administration, or even in handling personal loans. In addition, DeVos’s comments during her confirmation hearing suggest that DeVos is unacquainted with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, a federal law which provides essential supports to students in Exceptional Education. Senator, I am begging you to read these words with consideration for the needs of our students and or children. If you really want to benefit the lives of low income students, if you really want to advocate for special needs adolescents and adults, if you really want to provide equal educational opportunities for all, if you really want to improve our schools, vote no on Betsy DeVos.”
Madeleine Dougherty, said, “I speak from over 12 years of career experience and study when I say that Betsy DeVos and Senator Alexander are teaming up to ruin our students’ futures. What charter schools really do is force families to compete with each other to win spots in preferred schools -- and winning a spot at one of the preferred schools is only possible if we force other students to LOSE. Charters take tax money that would otherwise be allocated to neighborhood schools, forcing those neighborhood schools to serve the neediest segments of the population on a disproportionately low budget. Voucher programs are even worse. The voucher programs that DeVos wants to implement require that parents sign away the rights of their children with disabilities. Charter schools, vouchers, and Betsy DeVos are harmful to students and our nation. We demand that Senator Alexander reject DeVos and commit to supporting candidates who will protect and defend our public schools and our children.”
Lauren Allen, a Hixson mom and active PTA member, said, “Protect public education, an institution that makes America great. I can’t believe I have to ask you to choose someone knowledgeable about basic education issues to lead the Department of Education. Even your former Assistant Secretary of Education under George H.W. Bush said ‘Ms. DeVos is unqualified, unprepared, and unfit for the responsibility of running this important agency.’ An overwhelming number of Democrats and Republicans I know come together on this one issue. We need someone knowledgeable about public education. We need someone who understands and supports protections for children with disabilities. Prove you represent us by listening, now. Please do not confirm someone hostile to our children’s education. They cannot afford to have this administration set against them at such a key time in their lives. On behalf of every parent, every teacher, and every Tennessean who benefits from an educated society, join us. Reject Betsy DeVos as education secretary. It’s just common sense.”
Amy Brauer, a private school teacher, said, “Betsy DeVos refused to commit to upholding Title IX, and would not say whether she would enforce policies that prevent and punish rape on college campuses; meanwhile, she has donated thousands of dollars to organizations that seek to discredit victims and deny on-campus sexual assault is a serious problem. DeVos wants to relax laws requiring schools to have anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies, and does not believe information about bullying and harassment should be made available to the public. Senator Alexander, protect our women and children, vote “no”on DeVos!”