The Secretary of Education for the United States, Betsy DeVos, has been under fire concerning her suggested changes to the Education Department’s Civil Rights Data Collection.
The Democratic representatives were not in support of these changes, which include eradicating racial and ethnic differentiation in data on preschool suspension.
This happened in a House Committee on Appropriations hearing on Thursday, February 27, where Lawmakers had expressed concerns over enacting the Civil Rights Data Collection act.
“Survey after survey shows bipartisan public support for school choice policies, notably among families with the most at stake in our education system…we have a responsibility to listen to what many families and communities are saying.” #EducationFreedomhttps://t.co/sc1p41xSZg
— Secretary Betsy DeVos (@BetsyDeVosED) February 28, 2020
Concerns about the Civil Rights Data Collection changes
According to lawmakers, removing the differences in Civil Rights Data Collection among preschoolers would allow existing school discipline trends that disproportionately affect black and brown students.
Representative Barbara Lee (D-California) noted that the children are not warned because they are chased out of school even before entering kindergarten.
She said the tracking of data is very crucial, adding that the move, when integrated with a probable lack of data collection, would be a “double whammy” for students of color.
Also, Representative Katherine Clark (D-Massachusetts) stated that the changes would only eradicate data collection that could assist in unraveling issues.
Issues in the previous years
Earlier in 2018, the Education Department abolished Obama-era guidance that authorized schools to lessen racial disparities in disciplinary practices and discover alternatives to school suspension.
DeVos had been asked to submit a report listing school discipline in preschool and K–3 classrooms broken down by subgroups that would emphasize disparities.
Also, to submit suggestions given to schools for alternative interventions. However, these requests have not been heeded to despite Devos’ reiterated pledges.
Devos’ argument was that a report does not solve a child’s issue, saying that rather than address racial preference, a child should just be permitted to follow an education that would unlock their most significant capability.
When further questioned on the topic related to Civil Rights Data Collection, DeVos said she would instead talk about the deprivation of achievement and opportunity in the public school system.
However, the remaining lawmakers are worried that DeVos’ cause for the Education Freedom Scholarships program does not give protections for marginalized students who could be turned away from private schools.
In Devos’ response to lawmakers who grilled her on Civil Rights Data Collection, she stated that the program does not have a non-discrimination requirement, she said lots of schools possess different missions.
The chair of the subcommittee, Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Connecticut), however, noted that they as a committee would not allow the discrimination against their children.
She added that Devos is confusing essential protections for the children as burdens.
