This interview with GSV's Michael Moe and former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos reveals commonly held views in edtech circles and trends in US education at all levels. The key words in their free-market ideology are freedom, school choice, and change.
DeVos says that the traditional educational system in the US has been unresponsive, adding that all of these changes that she has proposed in education are "best for the kids." She states that with choice (charter schools, school vouchers, tax credits), the marketplace will work through any problems experienced by individuals.
According to Moe, approximately 75 percent of American adults approve of school choice. He says that studies generally show that charter schools tend to be better for kids, especially those who are disadvantaged.
Neither Moe nor Devos discusses the positive value of federal government oversight or what works in other nations. Even more interesting, both mention instruction, but not teachers. But DeVos does say that transparency is important and school performance numbers must be kept and be made available to the public. Something we should all agree on.
