"As an educator, I believe that part of my duty is to have optimism about the future of our country. But after hearing the news of Betsy DeVos’s confirmation as Secretary of Education, I've struggled to stay optimistic, instead feeling increasingly fearful of what might happen to public education.
I am terrified that the country’s public schools will deteriorate in both quality and population. DeVos is not an educator, and she does not have the proper credentials to direct her into a position that sets the standards for public education. As I look at the unfortunate condition that DeVos has left Michigan schools in, I cannot help but anticipate the same outcome for public schools throughout our entire country under her leadership.
Worse yet, President Trump has established a plan to use $20 billion of federal funds for block grants to states to support vouchers for poor children to attend private schools. This funding may come from the $15 billion allocated to Title I, which is used to allow for public school students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds to have equitable education. It allows for teachers and schools to give their students the education that every person deserves. Even if funding comes from elsewhere, population in public schools will decrease immensely. If this plan goes into place, I imagine the school quality in public education will significantly deteriorate.
Unfortunately, my very real worries make it extremely difficult for me to stay optimistic about the future as a public educator."
