Secretary of Education wants Schools ‘Fully Operational’ by Fall

Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, is pushing for schools to open and be “fully operational,” criticizing local districts’ plans that plan to offer in-person instruction a few days a week. By not opening schools or offering other alternatives, DeVos believes that it is a deliberate act to fail students and taxpayers.

In the report by The Western Journal, DeVos gave comments during the call with governors. The Trump administration is also all for pushing the reopening of schools and colleges. The Associated Press was able to get their hands on the audio of that conversation. In that meeting, DeVos told the governors, “Ultimately, it’s not a matter of if schools need to open, it’s a matter of how. School must reopen; they must be fully operational. And how that happens is best left to education and community leaders.” 

Health officials support DeVos, saying that students need to be in school. Making them attend school will further their educational development and give access to meal programs and services for mental and behavioral health. 

However, Arne Duncan, former Education Secretary who worked under former President Obama, said that schools must proceed with caution. On Twitter, she wrote,” We all want children to go back to school. The question is whether we care enough about our children to ALLOW them to go to school safely. Our behavior, our commitment to shared sacrifice-or our selfishness-will determine what happens this fall for kids.” 

On Twitter, Trump blamed Democrats, citing they want to keep schools closed for “political reasons.” In his tweet, he said, ” Corrupt Joe Biden and the Democrats don’t want to open schools in the fall for political reasons, not for health reasons. Wrong, the people get it!” 

Corrupt Joe Biden and the Democrats don’t want to open schools in the Fall for political reasons, not for health reasons! They think it will help them in November. Wrong, the people get it!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 6, 2020

He also scheduled a White House event to promote his case. Vice President Mike Pence, the education board and public health leaders are expected to attend. The Trump administration believes that keeping students at home has greater risks than a pandemic.