DeVos backlash: Parents threaten to homeschool kids after appointment
Betsy DeVos’s confirmation as education secretary has prompted parents to threaten to homeschool their children, in response to the billionaire’s lack of education experience and her support for the privatization of education.
Boy, how accurate is this sign? #DeVospic.twitter.com/GTTgcLzmrx
— Jeff, Son of Karl (@Jeff_CCTuba) February 7, 2017
#DeVos has never attended or taught at a public school but she will now lead the Dept. of Edu. https://t.co/fxuyNABcOE#tuesdaymotivationpic.twitter.com/XgYpOFRkLm
— RoseAnn DeMoro (@RoseAnnDeMoro) February 7, 2017
The Republican heiress was confirmed despite receiving more ‘no’ votes than any other secretary of education since 1979, winning by a single vote cast by Vice President Mike Pence.
READ MORE: US Senate confirms DeVos as education secretary
Day 1 on the job is done, but we’re only getting started. Now where do I find the pencils? :) pic.twitter.com/0vRKF1opE9
— Betsy DeVos (@BetsyDeVos) February 9, 2017
🎶Well we got no class, and we got no "principles"🎶 #resist#devos # pic.twitter.com/qZcqZQniqb
— Nasty Von Shtupp (@Lily_Bell82) February 9, 2017
Here's a piece by Boston artist Ian Adams - hot off the presses!#resist#DeVosHearing#devos#notmyadministrationpic.twitter.com/JZTy1DDbio
— Meredith Davis (@bardifly) February 9, 2017
Parents have taken to social media to threaten to pull their children from schools in response to DeVos’ lack of experience, her long-held advocacy for school vouchers – which take funding from public schools to be spent on private and religious schools – as well as her support for the privatization of schools.
Time to home school your children https://t.co/Ts8eyyBl6X
— Mathyu (@DrakohMassaquoi) February 7, 2017
#DeVos "so excited" to take money from poor black & brown kids so she can give vouchers to white Christians who homeschool. #JesusSaidSo
— Asha Hawkesworth (@ashahawkesworth) February 8, 2017
MAKING HOMESCHOOL GREAT AGAIN! #devospic.twitter.com/I2kpDiwx5y
— BeatAllNazis (@RebeccaAnneGabr) February 8, 2017
DeVos, a devout Christian, is a supporter of homeschooling and has worked to expand charter schools, while also fighting against additional regulation.
She has also said education was a way to “advance God’s kingdom” and her family has supported anti-LGBT groups in the past.
READ MORE: Trump taps Michigan philanthropist Betsy DeVos to be secretary of education
This new Department of Education logo is pretty sweet. #DeVospic.twitter.com/74IwAvwKXP
— Grayson (@GraysonBarnette) February 9, 2017
Why have I not seen this until now? 😂😂 Harry Potter memes getting us through the tough times. #DeVospic.twitter.com/9ivqzWLByT
— Francis Maxwell (@francis_maxwell) February 9, 2017
Telling people to #homeschool in response to #DeVos is some serious check-your-privilege bullshit. My mom worked 3 jobs when I was a kid.
— OnyxandCake (@onyxandcake) February 9, 2017
DeVos’s appointment has also drawn criticism because she and her children attended private schools, further highlighting her lack of experience within the public school system.
The DeVos family has donated more than $200 million to the Republican party, leading many to claim her appointment has been bought.
@PowerballUSA is $289M Who wants to pool money & when we win, buy some senators? @marcorubio@BillCassidy@SenThomTillis are for sale #devospic.twitter.com/HT1bXi2wmD
— Look Before You Sit (@lookb4yousit) February 9, 2017
THIS IS AWESOME!#Devos#BetsyDeVos
— The Hummingbird (@Alifaith55) February 8, 2017
via @atrumptastrophepic.twitter.com/ERPj5u7j0t
Let's be clear. Betsy #Devos has no education credentials. She bought this job. Pure #corruption. Kids & country will pay the price.
— Had Enough 2016 (@enough_2016) February 7, 2017
And you are can too. #theresistance#DeVos#EducationSecretarypic.twitter.com/APlcn2syTV
— Galoot County News (@galootcounty) February 9, 2017
