WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced today that she will travel to four states during this year’s “Rethink School” tour, scheduled for Oct. 3 – 5, 2018.

This year, the Secretary will visit Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. During the past month, senior department leaders, including Deputy Secretary Mick Zais, Acting Under Secretary Diane Auer Jones, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Frank Brogan, and Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical and Adult Education Scott Stump, visited 42 states, as well as D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands as part of the Department’s back-to-school tour.

“Our team is crossing the country this year to challenge local leaders, educators and parents to rethink school,” said Secretary DeVos. “We know the current system is leaving too many students unprepared, so we must question everything about the way we do school in this country. There’s no more time for tinkering around the edges. No more trying the same things and expecting different results. I’m excited to highlight pockets of innovation around the country that are truly challenging the status quo and working to ensure all children can have access to the education that fits their learning style and prepares them for a successful future.”

The Rethink School Tour challenges everyone, everywhere to question everything to ensure nothing limits students from being prepared for what comes next in their education, careers and in life. The Secretary and department officials will continue to highlight schools and visit with teachers, students, parents and local leaders who are unafraid to question the standard operating procedures that arbitrarily limit students from reaching their fullest potential. The questions raised and discussed on the tour include:

• Why limit educators?
• Why assign kids to schools based on their addresses?
• Why group kids by age?
• Why force all students to learn at the same speed?
• Why measure education by hours and days?
• Why suggest a college degree is the only path to success?
• Why believe learning stops at graduation?

Most stops on the tour are open press with the opportunity for several interviews with Secretary DeVos. Additional details on stops in each state will be forthcoming over the next few days.