MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tennesseans are getting another taste of just how little the Trump Administration cares about public schools – particularly schools in impoverished communities such as Memphis. The state is set to receive about $260 million in federal COVID-19 relief aid under the CARES ACT. The money will be used for such things as sanitizing buildings, mental health services, and after-school programs – as well as enhanced technology for at-home learning – in case social distancing continues for the foreseeable future.
But U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has thrown Tennessee and other states a curve – by ordering that a larger than expected share of the relief funds go to private schools. According to the education news web site Chalkbeat Tennessee, DeVos ordered the money to be divvied up based on total enrollment in public and private schools – not on how many low-income students served by private schools. The new formula is a last-minute change. And it means Shelby County Schools likely will get about $12 million less than it expected.
Naturally, public schools advocates are critical of the decision. And they should be. Sure, private schools deserve help. But the greatest need is clearly in schools where students already are at an economic disadvantage.
Since her appointment as education secretary, DeVos has shown a clear preference for private schools. And this directive speaks volumes about the administration’s indifference to public education. What a shame. And that’s my point of view.
