Betsy DeVos’ visit to Colorado Springs charter school comes with protests

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos visited a charter school in Colorado Springs, but her visit also brought protestors who don’t agree with her initiatives.

DeVos is visiting the James Irwin Charter Elementary School as a part of Parents Challenge 20th Anniversary.

She is expected to give brief remarks before a panel discussion with parents who chose to send their kids to a charter school.

DeVos praised a program started by the charter school called, “Parent’s Challenge.” It’s described as a resource for parents in low-income families receive information, and potentially scholarships so they can attend the school of their choice, regardless of zip code.

She said, “Students here and everywhere need more education freedom.”

The Secretary of Education has shown support for charter and private education before.

Protestors from all over Colorado protested her visit, saying she wasn’t doing enough to fund public classrooms.

Phyllis Robinette, the president of the Pikes Peak Region Education Association said, “she’s here to privatize schools and promote vouchers and take away from public education.”

In a Facebook invite, teachers from public schools say they disagree with ” the privatization of public schools through vouchers, called for deep cuts to federal funding, rolled back protections for vulnerable children, and shilled for the for-profit college industry that has defrauded countless students.”

DeVos also touted a new initiative she’s pushing, called Education Freedom. It’s a proposal co-sponsored by Colorado Representative Doug Lamborn.

It mirrors “Parent’s Challenge,” and allows for private donations to fund scholarships for parents who want a choice in their kid’s school.

“It’s the biggest, boldest plan yet for students. It’s a federal tax credit that doesn’t grow the federal government instead it fuels states more opportunities for their students,” she says.

DeVos claims it doesn’t take funds from public schools, but through the program, the federal government will match the donations up to $5 billion dollars.

Dozens of teachers outside claimed that money could toward funding their classroom.

Kim Serio, a teacher from Craig said, “We care about our students here, and with her cutting the budget, that’s not helping.”

KRDO tried to ask DeVos questions after the event but we were told she didn’t have time in her schedule.