I am a bit too libertarian to truly appreciate the need for a federal Department of Education. However, consistent special education programs across state lines is a good reason for the department of education to exist. On the other hand, standardization across the board is a very bad thing.  Having the state oversee schools makes more sense: they are closer to the action and day to day needs for schools than the department of Education can ever be.

But this is not about whether the agency should exist. It does.  And that is a conversation for another day.  This is about who will run the department and about whether they are a good choice or not. So here are three good and three bad things about Betsy DeVos, the appointee for the Department of Education (DOE).

Good and bad

First the good:

1. Betsy DeVos has experience with Public, Parochial and Charter schools.
   1. Betsy DeVos is on the board for Potters House which is a parochial school that kids get into by lottery. We have relatives in that school and their kids LOVE it. It is set up to be deliberately diverse. And it is Christian education. Which means for the cupcakes reading this, people who share a faith and love for their kids started a school. Sort of like the school one Senator Tim Kaine attended as a high schooler.
   2. The DeVos family set up a charter school for kids interested in aviation. The school has a waiting list. Here is information about Michigan Charter Schools you may not know and to summarize, charter schools have quite a bit of oversight. And bad charter schools are closed. Unlike horrid public schools.
   3. There is a connection to our public schools: University Prep for one has significant investment in public schools.
2. Betsy DeVos is an advocate of schools of choice. So am I. The schools of choice locally are improving public, private and parochial schools with some hard decisions being made. Our local parochial schools are consolidating campuses as are the public schools. This is allowing them to better use their funding to educate the kids.
3. Betsy DeVos is not a professional educator and she is not beholden to the NEA or its state affiliates.

And the bad

1. Betsy DeVos is unaware of the role the DOE plays for special education. Her answers to the senate when asked about special ed were disturbing.
2. Betsy DeVos is fond of common core (again the standardization)
3. Betsy DeVos is not a professional educator. Inexperience may be a bane or a benefit.

Senators say no

Senators Collins and Murkowski also have concerns about the nomination and these two senators are voting no on Betsy DeVos as reported by The Hill here

DeVos, a GOP mega-donor long active on education issues, has been the subject of fierce opposition from teachers unions and other liberal groups opposed to her support for charter schools and tuition vouchers using public funds. Senators in both parties have also criticized her lack of experience with public and rural education.

Senator Collins has similar concerns to me and my friends with kids in special ed.

Collins pointed specifically to DeVos’s lack of knowledge about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in explaining her decision.

This is a rather important part of the job she is going to be doing and I was unimpressed with her answers on this issue.

“While it is unrealistic and unfair to expect a nominee to know the details of all the programs under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education, I am troubled and surprised by Mrs. ­DeVos’ apparent lack of familiarity with the landmark 1975 law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, known as IDEA,” she said.

Murkowski on the other hand had a different issue

Murkowski followed Collins to the floor, stating, “I have serious concerns about a nominee to be secretary of Education … who has been so immersed in the discussion of vouchers.”

That is a feature not a bug Senator. Despite what your NEA donors tell you.

I  hope Betsy DeVos is able to learn as she goes and listens about IDEA.  And I hope the unions and teachers can work as a team with her or whoever runs the agency.  It is about the kids, right?