School choice: Segregation by another name

On May 9, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos attended a technology conference in Utah. In and of itself, her attendance was not a very remarkable thing. As education secretary, it makes sense that she would be at this event. But then there’s what she said while she was there: yes, she compared school choice to switching cell phone providers. 

She said there are many great cell phone companies, but people have the option to pick which one they want to use.

“If you can’t get cell phone service in your living room, then your particular provider is failing you, you should have the option to find a network that does work.”

Under normal circumstances, this would be considered the most out-of-touch thing a member of a presidential administration could say. But these are not normal times.