DeVos will deliver the flexibility teachers need to do their jobs

During her Senate confirmation hearings, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos described poor educational choices as a “national injustice.” In the Appalachian Region, her words could not ring more true. From North Carolina to Ohio, the region is defined by high rates of poverty and depressed economies. And the problem can only be solved by community actions taken by parents, not the federal government.

DeVos, with remarkable clarity and conviction, pleaded with the Senate. “Why in 2017 are we still questioning parents’ ability to exercise just as you do … educational choice for their own children?” 

{mosads}It was a humble yet chilling plea from one of the richest women in America who was questioning why members of the Senate, with all of their privileges, would not allow the rest of the country to access those same privileges. On average, the median net worth of a senator is $2.7 million.

Some educational researchers, such as Ruby Payne, have made the case that professional teachers who fail to respect background differences among their students — including culturally and economically — comprise a critical part of the problem. Her research found that once teachers became aware of students’ socioeconomic differences, they were better equipped to do their job. 

DeVos acknowledged that the discrimination Payne described can indeed be harmful to students. “Every child in America deserves to be in a safe environment free from discrimination,” DeVos told senators. “Every student in America dreams of developing his or her’s unique talents and gifts.” 

In the Appalachia region, that discrimination might not be the same as the kind that rich celebrity activists tend to talk about, but it is just as important.

However, the Appalachian Regional Commission has developed a successful model to increase college attendance and completion rates. That model involves, in part, “paying attention to the cultural background of students.” The program works by recruiting staffers and teachers who have backgrounds similar to those of their students who can make the cultural connections necessary to have an impact.

While the program was developed, in part, by Department of Education researchers, a vast amount of work remains to be done. Recommendations produced by the program were never fully embraced by the Obama administration, and pilot programs have yet to reach some of the areas where academic improvement is most needed.

DeVos is fortunately equipped to make progress, because she recognizes the problem. Despite the Obama administration’s failure to make significant progress, even many liberals seem to be aware that students can benefit when teachers take an individual approach. Liberals took to social media in droves this week promising to homeschool their children in the event of DeVos’ confirmation.

After years of being told by President Obama that a one-size-fits-all approach is the best way to run our nation’s school system, what could be better than liberals suddenly becoming so inspired to start blazing their own path when it comes to educational options?

The bottom line is that DeVos has the potential to enact real change at the federal level by enabling educators to innovate and by giving students the flexibility to learn according to their needs. The Appalachian region in particular is in desperate need of effective leadership from the Department of Education. For students struggling there and around the country, DeVos’ leadership could come at no better time.

Ebonique Ellis (@ejanine) is CEO at Good Management & Investments, a company that provides business consulting classes focused on wealth creation.

The views expressed by contributors are their own and are not the views of The Hill.