I’m surprised that Leslie Stahl actually did a real interview with Miseducation Secretary Betsy DeVos. As a teacher, I did not plan on watching the interview. I figured it would be bland at best and a puff piece at worst. Afterall, Betsy DeVos is a grandmother, or so we were reminded of in the interview. But being a grandmother didn’t protect DeVos from her dismal record as an advocate for ripping off the public schools and giving to for profit companies.
Yeah, it could have harder hitting, but Stahl brought up that several important points that made DeVos appear to be the lying corporate sack of shit she is.
- Her school choice program was adopted by the state of Michigan, and it FAILED. Not only did education not improve, it got WORSE. Stahl pointed this out. The academic scores for public schools is now worse than the neighboring states that did not embrace turning public education over to the private sector.
- DeVos brought up the lie that billions have been spent by the federal government, and public schools are still failing. Stahl rightly pointed out that standardized testing scores have risen. DeVos says, “Yeah, but they place America in the middle of industrialized nations.” But Stahl persisting in pointing out that American public schools are not failing as DeVos argues. The data does not support DeVos.
- Stahl zeroed in on the idiocy of taking making out of public schools will IMPROVE public schools. Stahl pressed her to explain how taking money out of public schools will improve them, especially of the kids left behind in those schools. I started hearing a lot of “I don’t knows” from DeVos, which only reminded me of my worst students — day dreaming, lazy, or simply stupid. Nothing like a supposed Education Secretary sounding like a teenager hoping that the bell rings NOW.
- Stahl pointed out that DeVos is one of the fattest cats among Trump’s litter of fat cats. This was more than I had hoped for. Also, DeVos admitted to NOT GOING TO ANY OF THE FAILING SCHOOLS FOR A VISIT. She’s probably afraid that she might catch something at one.
- Stahl didn’t dive deep into this, but she brought up DeVos’s love for the poor accused rapists on college campuses. This segment of the interview needed more exposure. Why do we need more “fairness” in a system where rape allegations are underreported?
All in all, DeVos did not come out smell like a rose. More like some cloying parastic vine I’d say.