Even so, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has pledged to use her bully pulpit to push for schools to reopen for in-person learning.
The move would eliminate the huge problems that have arisen as schools attempt to adhere to shoddy virtual learning curriculums that were hastily constructed as the COVID-19 lockdowns started earlier this year. DeVos is also promoting school choice, making it clear to parents that sub-par public schools are not the only educational option for their children.
“We know that in some places where there is a spike in cases of the virus, that there may have to be short times of working at a distance, but for those families who need and want this for their children, learning in person, there’s no other substitute for it,” the Secretary said earlier in October. “We have continued to urge states and districts to make sure they’re offering this as an option to families. Of course, these are state and local decisions, but we will continue to use the bully pulpit to urge this to happen.”
Secretary DeVos’ outspoken stance has naturally angered left-leaning Democrats. Liberal lawmakers are furious that she would admonish schools to stop playing politics and get on with their jobs.
Jill Biden slammed Secretary DeVos in a recent interview, saying that she doesn’t care about public schools and has no plans to help them overcome the challenges they face.
“Coming from Betsy DeVos, you know, I don’t think she ever felt invested in America’s public schools,” she told The Hill. “She didn’t have a strategy, Trump didn’t have a strategy.”
The accusation is ironic given the fact that the Department of Education isn’t supposed to have a plan for state school systems. Each state government is supposed to take responsibility for the schools in its state, and Democrat state governments are the ones insisting on sub-par virtual learning models.
At the same time, teacher unions and so-called “civil rights activists” are complaining that the rising popularity of charter and private schools will negatively impact low-income and students of color. However, they fail to note the obvious fact that charter schools are often the only way that these children can receive a top-tier education as public schools in poor neighborhoods often fail to meet educational standards.
Given the fact that more than 6,000 scientists have called for the end of lockdowns, it’s clear that there is no reason for public schools to keep their doors shut. Secretary DeVos has made her stance on the matter clear, and is calling for teacher unions across the nation to do what’s right for children and offer in-person learning.
