Trump nominee a smart choice for education chief

The nomination of Betsy DeVos for secretary of education has reignited the age-old battle over education policy. The heat is already intense not just because it involves the future of our children but also because a lot of money is at stake. Essentially, it’s a debate between those in the education establishment who support the status quo because they have a financial stake in the system and those who seek to challenge the status quo because it’s not serving kids well.

Both sides will hope to sway senators who will vote on confirmation. Here’s my take.

First, it’s important to have someone who isn’t financially biased shaping education. As a highly successful businesswoman, DeVos doesn’t need the job. Her key qualification is that she cares deeply about our children and will do everything in her power to offer them a brighter future. She founded two of the nation’s leading education reform organizations and helped open the door to charter schools in Michigan. I have known her for many years; she is smart, dynamic, no-nonsense and committed. That’s why the education establishment is so animated to stop her.

Second, it’s important to have someone who will challenge the status quo. In 1970, it cost $56,903 to educate a child from K-12. By 2010, adjusting for inflation, we had raised that spending to $164,426 — almost three times as much. Further, the number of people employed in our schools had nearly doubled. But despite the enormous investment, the performance of our kids has shown virtually no improvement. The establishment predictably calls for more spending and smaller classrooms — in other words, more teachers and more pay. But more of the same is demonstrably not the answer.

Recent studies show that choice and competition are having a positive impact on kids’ learning in Michigan.

DeVos’ detractors have also accused her of opposing oversight and accountability for her state’s charter sector, leading to poor results. This is another misleading charge. What she opposed was a new government bureaucracy intended to stifle choice and limit competition in Detroit education. In fact, the organization she chairs did endorse an A-to-F letter grading system to hold schools accountable statewide. It has also been pointed out that while more than 100 Michigan charters have been shut down for various reasons over the past 20 years, not one traditional public school has been shuttered because of poor performance.

The answers for improving schools will come from people who have no financial stake in the outcome and study the most successful systems here and around the world. McKinsey & Co. has concluded that spending and classroom size weren’t what determined the success of a school system. Instead, factors such as the qualities and educational attainment of the teachers were most important. No surprise there: It’s the teachers that make the difference.

I am truly excited that someone of Betsy DeVos’ capability, dedication and absence of financial bias is willing to take an honest and open look at our schools. The interests of our children must finally prevail.