By Michelle Karparis | Associate Editor
Last week, Betsy DeVos was confirmed as the new Secretary of Education as a result of a tie-breaking vote from Vice President, Mike Pence. DeVos’ hearing led to a lot of discussion based on her lack of experience with public schools and her controversial views. Among these are her advocacy for charter schools and lack of clarity in responses to issues such as guns in schools and financial aid fraud. Possibly the most controversial of her statements was that the quality of education to students with disabilities should be left up to the states, despite the fact that IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) means that this falls under federal law.
Following the disputes that have come from DeVos’ confirmation, and the tension that still sits in the Senate, some Salve education students shared their thoughts on the matter.
Teachers all over the country are torn over the future of America’s public school system and the welfare of its students, and future teachers at Salve are no different. “It is abundantly clear that she is grossly under qualified for this position,” said Scarlette Schultz, a sophomore English and Secondary Education major. “My main fear is that there will be a move towards privatization which will only further disadvantage America’s poorest students.”
While Schultz expressed fear of privatization, Noah Denzer, a junior Music Education major is a proponent of charter schools. “They have proved time and again that they can provide American students with a great public education in places where public schools are more or less failing,” said Denzer.
Denzer expressed different concerns regarding DeVos’s outlook. “I’m concerned that she could eliminate my career,” he said. More importantly, he explained that if music and arts programs are cut from public schools, it would be detrimental to “disadvantaged populations where music is a major source of positivity and energy and helps keep kids in school.”
While many students are at ends about DeVos’s perspectives, some are choosing to maintain neutrality over all of the controversy. Nick Karalekas, a junior Elementary Education major at Salve, said he won’t “jump to early judgment” unless he sees actions in place that he can no longer remain neutral about. Cathryn Blair, also a junior and Elementary and Special Education major said “I am going to try to keep a positive outlook and understand that the most important part of being a teacher is just to ensure that every student gets a quality, equal education.”
Even more controversially, it appears that programs of education for disabled students might be at risk under Secretary DeVos seeing as she showed a lack of knowledge in regards to their standing under federal law. “Hopefully since she is now confirmed she will take the time to fully understand the act [IDEA] and understand its benefits for students,” said Blair. Sharing similar feelings, Noah Denzer stated “the idea that she would try to cut special education programs is flat out reprehensible.”
Many education students at Salve are products of the public school system themselves and have nothing but thanks for the teachers who supported and motivated them. “I had a great experience in a public school setting. The teachers went to all of my games and supported every student at after-school activities,” said Karalekas about his experience, expressing a hope that teachers do not lose hope or dedication through all of the chaos.
“I went to a public school here in Rhode Island that was grossly underfunded and underappreciated. Despite this, I received an amazing education that prepared me for college and beyond,” said Schultz.
Among all of the controversy, Salve’s education students seem to have one thing in common: concern for the children in America’s public school system. Denzer’s final comments came on a pleading note: “I recognize the desire to cut government programs, but please don’t take it from the kids.” Blair, on the other hand, expressed feelings of hope. “Time will tell the effect she will have on the students. I can only hope that she will have a positive one, putting the students first.”
