I’d Like To Use A Lifeline
This presidential election has been interesting at that. I’ve seen malicious tweets, ignorant articles and speeches, and a lot of he said, she said. Many times, I keep my thoughts and my opinions to myself. It doesn’t mean that I don’t have an opinion or that I am a coward for not vocalizing it. It solely means that when I have something substantial to say, when I have something that will add to the conversation and not beat a dead horse, I will assure you that I will address my concerns.
This is one of times.
With our soon-to-be president, he has nominated Betsy DeVos for the position of Secretary of Education. For those who don’t know me, I live and breathe education. I am a constant learner in bettering myself and the system. So, it is not surprising that I take particular interest to whom will be our next secretary. It is also not surprising that I have no interest in having Betsy DeVos as secretary of education.
To preface, yes, I am a supporter of bringing education back to the states, but with me saying that, I have research to back up my statement. I don’t bandwagon. I don’t go with the crowd just to be with the crowd. I have substance to my words. Ask me and I will answer fruitfully.
Betsy DeVos, in my opinion, didn’t answer any question with a complete thought. It was more of a repetition of the same sentence. What is the difference between growth and proficiency? I think it should be up to the states. As a billionaire, how will you be avoiding conflicts of interests seeing that you have not released your tax returns of the past three years and not having an ethics letter complete? I think it should be up to the states. What is your approach on higher education and the utilization of Title IX? If confirmed, I think it should be up to the states.
It is not only frightening, but embarrassing to not know the difference between growth and proficiency. It is these two words and the discrimination between these words that manipulate the standards, the curriculum, and the implementation of instruction. At the end of the day, it’s about the student. Did the student learn? Did we challenge them to the best of their ability? Did we exhaust all our resources? Because even if that student learned one new thing or went up only one reading level, that is growth. For me, that is all that matters. All that matter is that students are learning and are engaged and participating in instruction.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a federal law that ensures students with disabilities the appropriate resources and education that they need. It is tailored to the individual. There are learning disabilities, physical disabilities, students who are emotionally disturbed. Each one of these students need the appropriate resources in order to grow, to excel. To not be familiar or to be confused with IDEA is a triple red flag. More than 50% of students in public education rely on this act, rely on their 504 Plan, or their IEP. I would hope, if anything, that our Secretary of Education would understand and fully support and have fruitful thoughts on either how we will continue to implement it or how we will better it.
Sexual assault is real. Harassment is real. Have you not turned on a TV? Did we not have a Standford student behind bars because of sexual assault? Did we not arrest 2 Vanderbilt students who participated in a gang-rape? This isn’t me coming as a woman. This is me coming as a human because sexual assault happens to both men and women. This is real. These are true events that are happening. You see horror movies that have tag lines that say, “Based on a true story.” How would you feel if that story was yours. A story where you were harassed, assaulted, or discriminated against. How nice it would be to have a federal law that creates programs and practices to promote equity. Oh, we do, but Betsy DeVos didn’t care to explain her thoughts or her opinions on the importance of it. She must’ve forgot, but thank you for reassuring the senate that sexual assault in any form is a problem.
With this chaos and maddness that is Betsy DeVos. I’m in need of lifeline. I need to call a friend. I need a mass opinion. I need to see what my choices are as a citizen, as a student, and as a soon-to-be teacher. What can I do? What can we do?
We The People hold such power to vocalize our concerns. It may be a nomination from our president elect, but its a confirmation from our senate via majority vote. Tweet at your senator. Write to your senator. Call their office and talk to whomever answers the phone. Education is too important of a matter for it to be in the hands of some billionaire who probably needs a dictionary to look up all the terms that were said at her hearing.
Your voice is your power. It is your lifeline. Use it.
Use your lifeline and contact your senator today: Click me