The Cabinet: Betsy DeVos does not understand the true role of charter schools

I am the principal of an outstanding public charter school in Minnesota. I believe school choice matters and has a role to play in reforming the education system. I value the autonomy to innovate and the agility to do so rapidly when needed.

I'm a charter guy.

And as a charter guy, my stomach sank this week watching clip after clip of a supposed charter advocate who wants to be the secretary of education. I love public education — traditional or charter — and the uninformed vision that has been cast for this work that matters so much is simply horrifying and unacceptable. It's critical to set the record straight and to correct the ignorant statements made by Betsy DeVos.

First, some history: Chartering was born in Minnesota 23 years ago with the idea that schools could be granted autonomy in exchange for innovation and accountability. Charter schools are geographically located within the boundaries of a larger district, but have full operational autonomy — an independent, publicly elected school board and an independent funding stream from the state and federal government. Charters are not private schools. Charters are not selective. All state and federal law that speaks to public education also speaks to public charter education. Any child with any ability or disability must be accepted and serviced within a charter school.

Charter schools are public schools. They do not steal funds away from public schools, because they are public schools. The mandate governing public education that all children are entitled to a great education is the same mandate that governs charter education.

And so, I was quite surprised when DeVos, asked by U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine at her confirmation hearings if all schools that receive federal funding should be held to equal accountability standards, responded that there are "different accountability standards between traditional public schools and charter schools." Patently false. Charter schools are public schools and are held to the same exact learning standards and state accountability assessments that all public schools are held to. Was DeVos lying or was she uninformed?

Kaine also asked whether all schools receiving federal funding ought to be required to meet the requirements found within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Surely this is an easy question, right? Surely all educators hold as a basic pillar of their philosophy the belief that all children regardless of ability deserve a free and appropriate public education?

Gandhi said that the true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members. What does it say about the direction of our society when our treatment toward individuals with disabilities is optional?

DeVos ended her round of questioning from Kaine by sharing: "I think that federal funding certainly comes with strings attached."

If meeting the needs of students with disabilities is a string, or if holding all schools to high standards for learning is a string, or if having a secretary of education who can speak in an informed manner about the difference between proficiency and growth is a string …

Then string me up.

Betsy DeVos is an empty suit. A crucial difference exists between a person who deeply understands the nuance of the educational world and arrives at a philosophy that is less than mainstream and a person who has no critical understanding of the educational world whatsoever. DeVos is the latter. She is ignorant, uninspired and blinded by privilege. Handing her the keys to our children's future is malpractice in its most brutal form.