Betsy DeVos, the newly appointed U.S. Secretary of Education and a wealthy conservative philanthropist, equates choosing a school for your child to selecting a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft.
DeVos has persistently advocated for “school choice,” a concept that utilizes taxpayer dollars allocated for public schools to fund vouchers, allowing students to attend private or religious institutions. She has also generously contributed her family’s wealth to promote these initiatives.
In a recent address to the Brookings Institution, DeVos remarked:
“[H]ow many of you arrived here today using an Uber, a Lyft, or another ridesharing option? A few of you, great. Did you choose that because it was more convenient than waiting for a taxi to appear? Even if you didn’t utilize a rideshare today, I would wager that most of you at least have the app on your phone. Just like the traditional taxi service resisted the emergence of ridesharing, so too does the education system feel threatened by the growth of school choice. In both instances, the entrenched status quo has pushed back against models that empower individuals. No one forces you to take an Uber or a Lyft over a taxi, nor should they. But if you believe ridesharing is your best option, the government shouldn’t impede your choice.”
DeVos’s comments were met with swift backlash on social media, highlighting the sheer privilege embedded in her statement. More concerning is her apparent belief that schools should function akin to businesses. What DeVos fails to grasp is that education is a fundamental right in this country, provided as a public good designed to benefit both individuals and society as a whole.
Many in the educational field, myself included—having spent over a decade as a teacher before pursuing a doctorate in education policy—view the notion of treating schools like private enterprises as part of a troubling trend that threatens public education. DeVos consistently demonstrates a concerning disregard for the significance of public schools in a democratic society and the communities they serve.
Here’s why DeVos’s analogy between selecting a rideshare and choosing a school is fundamentally flawed and detrimental to students, educators, and the broader community:
- Higher Stakes in Education Choices
Choosing a school is vastly different from choosing a taxi service, restaurant, or smartphone provider because the consequences are far more significant. A poor choice of taxi may result in a frustrating ride; selecting the wrong school for your child can have lasting implications that extend far beyond a short-term experience. - Need for Standards and Accountability
We must strive to ensure all public schools excel. There should be clear standards and accountability for all educational institutions, including private and religious schools benefiting from taxpayer funding through voucher programs endorsed by DeVos—who has previously resisted applying the same level of scrutiny to these alternatives. - Teachers Are Not Interchangeable Service Providers
DeVos has previously shown a lack of respect for educators. In her analogy, she seems to equate teachers with rideshare drivers—overlooked and underappreciated. In truth, teachers are highly qualified professionals with extensive training and advanced degrees. - Education Is Not a Profit-Driven Venture
As a public good, education must serve all children, not just those who can afford it. In a marketplace where businesses compete, poor services may collapse, benefiting consumers. However, if vouchers siphon students away from public schools, those left behind—often the most disadvantaged—remain stuck in “failing” schools. - Education is About Relationships
The core mission of schools is to nurture community and develop capable and compassionate young people. Educators engage with the intricate, emotional realities of children’s lives, which cannot be quantified by mere test scores. Teachers instill critical thinking, empathy, and a broader worldview in their students. - Questionable Success of DeVos’s School Choice Programs
In DeVos’s home state of Michigan, numerous voucher programs have shown that students enrolled in these initiatives perform similarly to their public school counterparts, indicating little to no improvement in educational outcomes.
Parents must resist efforts that experiment with their children’s futures. Children shouldn’t have to “shop” for quality education. We know what fosters success: dedicated, skilled teachers, well-funded schools, and a societal commitment to viewing public education as vital to our democracy.
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Summary:
Betsy DeVos’s assertion that selecting a school is akin to choosing a rideshare service grossly oversimplifies the complexities and stakes involved in education. Schools operate as public goods, not businesses, and should be held to high standards of accountability to ensure that all children receive quality education. Treating education as a marketplace threatens the fundamental right to accessible, equitable schooling for every child.