Ideologies aside, DeVos is not qualified

LETTERS LETTERS@USATODAY.COM

To me, public schools are the foundation of

our democracy. An educated populace is vital to the success of our nation and has changed our country in many positive ways. Public schools are by no means perfect, but I will defend them, while also fighting to make them better.

That belief of mine is enough to make me detest making Betsy DeVos the next secretary of Education. In her hearing, she was asked about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. When asked if schools receiving federal funding should have to comply with IDEA she replied, “I think that is a matter that’s best left to the states.” Later, she backtracked and admitted she might have been confused. The bedrock of our education system is educating everyone. To think having to treat someone with a disability fairly should be left up to the states is enough to make me sick.

There are many other reasons DeVos is unqualified. She has never been a teacher, nor has she received any training in child development, pedagogy or curriculum. DeVos has never worked in public education or even attended a public school. She was introduced as not being part of the “educational establishment.” Labeling anyone who has worked in education as the “educational establishment” is just a way of minimizing the work educators put in every day for children.

This isn’t about politics, it’s about trying to provide every child with an education. Jillian Medugno La Crosse, Wis.

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While Betsy DeVos may well not be “qualified” for the position based on her lack of experience, she could be just what the doctor ordered for the change needed in the bureaucracy we know as public education. I’m an unapologetic supporter of school choice, especially for poor parents, who for generations have been forced to send their children to underperforming schools. Here’s hoping DeVos wins the nomination. Paul Hoss