Betsy DeVos claims larger class sizes are actually good for students

[demmiblue]

In an attempt to justify cuts to federal education spending, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is now arguing that larger class sizes and fewer teachers are actually good for students.

DeVos made the claim on Tuesday during a hearing on the White House’s 2020 fiscal year budget in the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

“There is no evidence that the Federal taxpayer investments in existing professional development programs or class-size reduction have meaningfully improved student outcomes,” DeVos stated in her written remarks before the committee. “In fact, students may be better served by being in larger classes, if by hiring fewer teachers, a district or state can better compensate those who have demonstrated high ability and outstanding results.”

When Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) asked where she got that information, DeVos was unable to cite any specific study.

“There’s plenty of research that will undergird the fact that mandating a specific class size doesn’t yield results,” DeVos responded.

https://thinkprogress.org/betsy-devos-claims-larger-class-sizes-are-actually-good-for-students-2020-white-house-budget-defense-cd356857fb19/

She is as dumb as a box of rocks.

[louis-t]

1. She's not dumb, just manipulative.

There is a reason behind everything she does, and that reason is money for herself and her family.

[C_U_L8R]

2. Where does she pull these stupid ideas from??

[Celerity]

10. her ass

[leftieNanner]

3. As a parent of two daughters

who benefited a number of years ago when California mandated smaller class sizes, I would tell you, Ms. DeVos, that you are full of shit!
And as a person who has know a lot of teachers in her life, I would also say to Ms. DeVos, DITTO!

[EveHammond13]

4. God I hate her.

[smirkymonkey]

8. Ditto.

She is everything that is wrong with the rich.

[RANDYWILDMAN]

5. She is deluded

No way in hell she hates all public school kids and all disabled kids.

She just does not care.

She has an investment is not properly funding those kids. A starve the the beast mentality.

[TheBlackAdder]

6. That's why private schools advertise small class sizes, and people pay that surcharge for it.

.


Damn this DOE sourced information link:


Table 8. Average class size for private school teachers in elementary schools, secondary schools, and schools with combined grades, by classroom type and affiliation: 2007–08

https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/sass/tables/sass0708_2009324_t2a_08.asp


====================


Damn, the fucking public school averages too!

Table 8. Average class size for public school teachers in elementary schools, secondary schools, and schools with combined grades, by classroom type and state: 2007-08

https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/sass/tables/sass0708_2009324_t1s_08.asp


.

[SWBTATTReg]

7. As a former corporate teacher/trainer, I guarantee you smaller class sizes were far more better ...

and desirable. I don't know where this supposedly factual tidbit of information came from (and she couldn't provide a reference either) which doesn't surprise me, for I bet there isn't any.

[Solly Mack]

9. DeVos is another Trump. She thinks what she wants to believe to be true is actually true.

[Celerity]

11. 'DeVos was unable to cite any specific study.'

EVERY time I see her questioned by congress she NEVER can cite jack shit. On a good day, she will mumble about going and looking it up. On a bad day (basically 99% of them) she will just stare blankly into space and hope the next question come from a Rethug.

A bag of hammers would best her in an IQ test.

[sarcasmo]

12. The GOP, destroying our institutions on purpose.

[Wounded Bear]

13. That's corporate speak for "efficiency"...

The goal is to privatize all education and let corporations set things like class size to best make money for them. Want less crowded classes and better "grades" for your kids? Easy...just pay more. You think educational outcomes are biases toward rich neighborhoods now? Wait until Repubs corporatize it.

[struggle4progress]

14. I've taught on-and-off for about forty years now. I've tried different things

in different settings, and it's my experience that being able to provide individualized attention in the classroom really makes a difference. A class of size 15 is usually a much happier experience for everyone than a class of size 30; and the dynamic is again completely different for a class of size 45

DeVos is a political appointee without any significant educational expertise, except whatever she learned by accident while pushing various GOP pet projects like charter schools

[themaguffin]

15. She's right. I mean, that's what elite $$$ private schools tout, big classes & few teachers...

[sakabatou]

16. *facepalm*

[FiveGoodMen]

17. More people to fight off the grizzly bears that come into the classroom!

[lostnfound]

18. Her kids' high school had. 13 to 1 student teacher ratio

https://www.niche.com/k12/grand-rapids-christian-high-school-grand-rapids-mi/

The girls were home schooled though so I assume that’s more like 2 to 1 or so...