DeVos Approves State Education Plans In Opposition To Republican Governors

What’s the story?

The wheels of federal government can grind slowly, so Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is in the midst of approving state education plans mandated by a 2015 law, the Every Student Succeeds Act. But she’s running into resistance from surprising quarters, namely Republican governors who seek the kinds of charter school and private school voucher programs that DeVos herself has championed.

The Every Student Succeeds Act was enacted to replace the controversial No Child Left Behind law. It reverted much of the authority over public education systems back to the states.

Each state was required to submit a state education plan. So far, 35 have been approved by Secretary DeVos. Of those 35, 6 were not signed by their governors. Three more plans pending approval also lack gubernatorial support. Of the nine disputed plans, seven are opposed by Republican governors in Maryland, Georgia, Wisconsin, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Kentucky.

Approval by the governor was not required by the law, but was encouraged. The Republican governors have variously referred to the plans for their states as lacking in "flexibility", “innovation” as well as “adequately high expectations of students”, “disgusting”, and “a farce”.

A spokesperson from the Education Department maintained to the New York Times that the Secretary’s did not factor in governor’s responses to the plans in her approvals:

"Under [the Act], the secretary’s job is to ensure that state plans comply with the law, not to provide her opinion on the state’s approach. She hopes that these plans will be seen not as a ceiling but as a foundation upon which states can improve education for all students."

What do you think?

Do you think it is inconsistent for DeVos to not support those governors who want to see the kinds of changes to education she champions, or is she simply staying out of state decision-making to avoid federal overreach? Are you aware of your state’s education plan? Do you support it or not? What do you think are the answers to improving our public education systems?

Tell us in the comments what you think, then use the Take Action button to tell your reps!

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— Asha Sanaker

(Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr / Creative Commons)