IBL News | New York
As the Trump administration pushes campuses to reopen schools in the fall semester, the President himself issued his view on the online education delivered by institutions yesterday. He tweeted yesterday:
“Virtual Learning has proven to be TERRIBLE compared to In School, or On Campus, Learning. Not even close! Schools must be open in the Fall. If not open, why would the Federal Government give Funding? It won’t!!!”
Now that we have witnessed it on a large scale basis, and firsthand, Virtual Learning has proven to be TERRIBLE compared to In School, or On Campus, Learning. Not even close! Schools must be open in the Fall. If not open, why would the Federal Government give Funding? It won’t!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 10, 2020
This view directly contradicts Secretary Betsy DeVos’ positioning. In April, DeVos said: “It’s very clear that we have an opportunity to embrace distance learning and remote education in a way that two months ago would not have been thought possible.” “And it’s happening very well in many places and — out of necessity — many others are getting up to speed.”
Moreover, the Trump administration backed recently for-profit, largely online universities as the University of Phoenix, accused of deceptive practices.
As reported, Harvard University and MIT filed a suit against the administration over the proposed visa restrictions. Additionally, nearly 100 members of Congress have written to the administration demanding the removal of the restrictions.
Also yesterday, President Trump blamed higher education institutions of indoctrinating students. These were his two tweets on the subject:
… and/or Funding, which will be taken away if this Propaganda or Act Against Public Policy continues. Our children must be Educated, not Indoctrinated!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 10, 2020
