Supreme Court Preserves Public Status of Charter Schools in Split Ruling
DFER Welcomes Outcome in St. Isidore v. Drummond, Avoiding Nationwide Disruption to Charter Laws and Student Access
(May 22, 2025, New York, NY) — Today, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s split decision in St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond, Democrats for Education Reform CEO Jorge Elorza released the following statement, applauding the outcome as a key step in preserving stability for families and reaffirming the public status of charter schools:
"The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond is welcome news for our education system and the four million students who rely on high-quality charter schools across the nation.
While the Court’s decision was split 4–4, the result affirms that charter schools are indeed public schools.
A ruling in the opposite direction could have thrown charter laws into disarray nationwide, forcing states to revisit statutes, inviting legal confusion, and ultimately disrupting learning for millions of students and families. Thankfully, that chaos has been averted for now.
Because the court’s decision was split, it does not set a legal precedent and the Court released no opinions or reasoning for either side of the argument. There may be future challenges, which means that we must all stay vigilant. We must continue to protect what works and stand up for children. Charter schools are delivering results for students, particularly in communities that have been underserved for far too long. Our focus should remain on expanding access, ensuring quality, and keeping students at the center of every conversation."
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(NEW YORK, NY, May 15, 2025) — Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) released a bold new vision, “A Democratic Framework for An Abundance Education Agenda,” to help deliver better outcomes for students and provide a path for Democrats to reclaim voters’ trust on education. In the “Abundance Education Agenda,” DFER CEO Jorge Elorza explores how a mindset of Abundance can guide Democrats in rethinking education policy and transforming education systems.
“This vision is not about adopting a particular education policy, it is about rethinking and transforming the way education systems are designed. We’re focused on unleashing the power of innovation, insisting on continuous improvement, and empowering families with greater agency and choice.”
Previously regarded as the “Party of Education,” Democrats once enjoyed a 26 point advantage over Republicans on voter trust on education. However, as Democrats focused less on K-12 education, Republicans gained an advantage as the party voters now trust most to deliver on their educational needs. This wild swing has created the political imperative for Democrats to rethink their approach to education.
Amid that growing public skepticism about the Democratic Party’s leadership on education, the Abundance Education Agenda offers a fresh approach–moving beyond outdated, input-focused strategies to pushing our party to transform our education systems so that they deliver better outcomes.
3 Core Pillars of an Abundance Education Agenda:
The Agenda calls on Democratic leaders to be excellence-focused and governance-neutral. It calls for Democrats to utilize a startup-style approach to innovation and explore different education models such as micro schools, learning pods, and unbundled learning. It calls for Democrats to act with urgency and to embrace accountability by re-orienting our focus from inputs to outcomes. Last, it calls for our party to provide real choices for families so that they can decide which option best meets their diverse educational needs.
“Families deserve schools that deliver on the promise of a great education,” said Elorza. “In this moment of massive disruption, we have a perfect opportunity to take an entirely different approach. It’s time to set a new course and put education back at the center of our party’s priorities. We can indeed reclaim the title of the Party of Education and an Abundance mindset can be our guide.”
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Read the full Abundance Education Agenda here.
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(New York, NY, April 30, 2025) — Today, Democrats for Education Reform’s CEO Jorge Elorza released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s hearing of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond, a case that could fundamentally alter the definition of public charter schools:
“Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is closely monitoring the Supreme Court’s consideration of Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board and St. Isidore Of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Gentner Drummond and its implications for the future of public charter schools.
“DFER urges the Supreme Court to uphold the decision of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which, by a 6-2 majority, affirmed that charter schools are public schools. By law, charter schools have always been considered public schools in every state. However, a ruling in favor of St. Isidore could, for the first time, declare that charter schools are private schools—not governmental entities or state actors—and therefore can be religious.
“Such a decision would likely force states to revisit and revise their charter laws, creating disruption and uncertainty for charter schools and the four million students they serve. Delivering great results for children is already challenging and this decision would complicate matters even further.
“Regardless of the outcome, DFER remains committed to protecting the rights of students and families to access a high-quality public education. We urge policymakers to make this their priority.”
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" ["post_title"]=> string(67) "DFER Urges Supreme Court to Uphold Public Status of Charter Schools" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(67) "dfer-urges-supreme-court-to-uphold-public-status-of-charter-schools" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2025-07-07 00:04:27" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-07-07 00:04:27" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(24) "https://dfer.org/?p=6301" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [3]=> object(WP_Post)#3198 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(6278) ["post_author"]=> string(2) "98" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2025-03-13 17:06:29" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2025-03-13 17:06:29" ["post_content"]=> string(4260) "March 13, 2025 (New York, NY) - Today, Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) released the following statement announcing DFER's endorsement of Brittany Kinser for Superintendent of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
DFER has followed Wisconsin’s Spring non-partisan election for Superintendent of Public Instruction very closely. Based on our review of each candidate’s positions on education policies that prioritize students, particularly those from working-class and low-income families, DFER is pleased to announce our support for education reform champion Brittany Kinser.
Kinser has been an exceptional education leader at every level. As a school leader, her previous school was recognized for “Beating the Odds” by former State Superintendent and current Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. She has consistently delivered results for kids and families throughout her career and will continue to do so as Superintendent. “She moves with conviction and courage, believes in high standards, and will always be guided by what is right for kids,” said Jorge Elorza, CEO of DFER.
The most recent scores on the Nation’s Report Card again show Wisconsin with the widest achievement gap in the U.S. for math and reading scores between white and Black students. DFER works with leaders who seek to reverse these conditions and create systems where all students—including students of color and those mired in poverty—have access to the highest quality schools.
Outside of Wisconsin, Brittany’s candidacy comes at a particularly important moment for Democrats and education policy. Ten years ago, Democrats, nationally, enjoyed an advantage of +26 points over Republicans in terms of voter trust on education. Today, that advantage has vanished as Americans no longer see Democrats as the Party of Education, and they doubt our party’s ability to deliver on their education needs.
“Challenging the educational status quo is both good policy and smart politics for Democrats. As our Party seeks to reconnect with working-class voters, particularly in purple states, we need candidates who are relentlessly focused on outcomes for families, who bring a mindset of Abundance and believe in high standards, and who act with the urgency that the education crisis deserves. Brittany Kinser is that person,” Elorza concluded, “and we encourage voters to cast their ballots for Kinser on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.”
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About: Jorge Elorza is the Chief Executive Officer of Democrats for Education Reform. He served two terms as mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, where he undertook bold actions to prioritize education. This included taking the unprecedented step to engage the state Department of Education to turn around the city’s chronically underperforming school system, creating the city’s Eat, Play, Learn Initiative to expand out-of-school enrichment. Notably, he invested $400 million into repairing school buildings and supported the expansion of high-quality public charter schools.
Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) works to get Democratic leaders to embrace and enthusiastically champion innovative, evidence-based, high-quality public education options for all students, particularly students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, and other historically underserved students. Learn more about DFER, or find an expert by following us on Twitter.
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(October 16, 2024, San Diego, CA) – Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is proud to announce that it received multiple highly coveted “Eddies” awards at the recent 2024 “Policy Innovators in Education” (PIE) Network Conference. Known for their emphasis on impactful education policy, the PIE Eddies awards recognize organizations driving systemic change in schools and communities. Members from 88 state and national education advocacy organizations voted for the winners. These honors reflect DFER’s continued efforts to champion equitable education reform, fostering policies that improve opportunities for students across the country.
“We are deeply honored by this recognition for our national and local teams,” said Charlie Barone, Vice President, K-12 Policy. “These awards are a testament to our team’s dedication and our commitment to student success.
DFER’s national policy team walked away with the “Most Actionable Tools & Research” Eddies Award for our Spotlight Schools: High-Poverty Schools That Are Raising The Bar research. In reports authored by senior policy analyst Rianna Saslow and VP Barone, these schools show that demography does not always have to equal destiny. Despite systemic inequities, they are shining examples of schools with high percentages of students from low-income backgrounds that have achieved remarkable success in either student proficiency, student growth, or both. This research helps school leaders, policymakers, and advocates to identify and execute school improvement strategies so they can improve proficiency and spur student academic growth.
DFER Massachusetts won the “Best Collaboration” Eddies Award in partnership with ExcelinEd, National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), National Parents Union – Massachusetts (NPU-MA), Teach Plus Massachusetts, and The Education Trust. The coalition’s strategic advocacy helped secure $150 million over five years in targeted funding for high-quality, evidence-based curricula, effective teacher training, and ongoing student screening to increase reading proficiency among preschool and elementary students. Under the The Healey-Driscoll administration, the Literacy Launch initiative creates the opportunity to transform early literacy experiences and skills for thousands of Massachusetts students.
The recognition at this year's conference underscores DFER's role as a national leader in education reform, demonstrating the impact of the organization’s efforts in transforming education outcomes for black and brown students, particularly those from underserved communities.
“We will continue to push forward, advocating for policies and initiatives that prioritize high-quality and evidenced-based literacy instruction for every student ,” said Erin Cooley, Massachusetts Managing Director. “This recognition only strengthens the Literacy Coalition’s resolve to drive meaningful change and empower young readers across the Commonwealth.”
DFER teams also were represented as finalists for their work in the “Game Changer of the Year” category. Finalists included DFER Louisiana, DFER Colorado, and DFER DC.
Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) works to get Democratic leaders to embrace and enthusiastically champion innovative, evidence-based, high-quality public education options for all students, particularly students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, and other historically underserved students. Learn more about DFER, or Find an Expert and follow us on Twitter.
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(BATON ROUGE, LA) — Terrence Lockett, Executive Director for Democrats for Education Reform Louisiana, announced endorsements of four candidates seeking a seat on the Baton Rouge Metro Council.
“This is DFER LA’s first slate of endorsements for the Baton Rouge Metro Council. As we call on leaders and governing bodies to expand their advocacy and representation of students and families outside of the traditional boundaries, we believe we must do the same,” said Lockett. “We must support leaders outside of education-specific governing bodies who are committed to improving the lives of Baton Rouge’s students and families. We need Metro Council leaders who will work well and will work regularly with East Baton Rouge School Board members, our legislative delegation, our Mayor-President, and our BESE leaders to advance progressive policies around healthcare, criminal justice reform, racial equity, broadband access, our city’s infrastructure and public safety. These are issues that may not affect students while they’re in the classroom, but they undoubtedly affect our students’ and families' livelihoods.”
For the Baton Rouge Metro Council, DFER LA PAC is endorsing:
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Early voting will take place Friday, Oct. 18 through Tuesday, Oct. 29 (except Sunday, October 20 and Sunday, October 27) from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
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About Democrats for Education Reform Louisiana
DFER LA supports elected leaders while in office to advance progressive public education policies, and holds them accountable—both while in office, and during the election cycle. Over the last decade, students in Louisiana have made tremendous gains, yet there is still work to do. Various coalitions of advocates, community members and school leaders continue to problem-solve for challenges within areas including education quality, equity, and a pronounced opportunity gap. DFER LA was formed in 2015 to address challenges, advocate for students who suffer because of them, and support candidates who are dedicated to creating better opportunities for all students. DFER LA works alongside sister organizations Education Reform Now, Education Reform Now-Advocacy and Leaders of Color Louisiana to support education champions on the campaign trail and while in office.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th; Early Voting is October 18th-29th
(NEW ORLEANS, LA) — Terrence Lockett, Executive Director for Democrats for Education Reform Louisiana, announced endorsements of two candidates seeking a seat on the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB).
“Since 2016, DFER LA has supported numerous school board candidates who champion high-quality public school options for every student in New Orleans and across Louisiana; and, this election cycle is no different,” said Lockett. “We have the opportunity to elect two candidates who have sent or currently send their children to NOLA Public Schools. If these two candidates are elected, the majority of OPSB will be public school parents. We believe this is a direct response to the demand of the community for OPSB to have more ‘skin in the game’ with regard to overseeing NOLA Public Schools’ portfolio of public charter schools and a direct run school.”
For the Orleans Parish School Board, DFER LA PAC is endorsing:
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Early voting will take place Friday, Oct. 18 through Tuesday, Oct. 29 (except Sunday, October 20 and Sunday, October 27) from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
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About Democrats for Education Reform Louisiana
DFER LA supports elected leaders while in office to advance progressive public education policies, and holds them accountable—both while in office, and during the election cycle. Over the last decade, students in Louisiana have made tremendous gains, yet there is still work to do. Various coalitions of advocates, community members and school leaders continue to problem-solve for challenges within areas including education quality, equity, and a pronounced opportunity gap. DFER LA was formed in 2015 to address challenges, advocate for students who suffer because of them, and support candidates who are dedicated to creating better opportunities for all students. DFER LA works alongside sister organizations Education Reform Now, Education Reform Now-Advocacy and Leaders of Color Louisiana to support education champions on the campaign trail and while in office.
Policy Expert and Community Organizer Brings Wealth of Experience to
Advance Quality Education in Washington, DC
WASHINGTON, DC (September 16, 2024) — Democrats for Education Reform DC (DFER DC), along with its partner Education Reform Now Advocacy and affiliate non-profit organization Education Reform Now DC, proudly announce the appointment of Victor Horton as Deputy Director.
Horton previously served as Director of Leaders of Color DC and is a former Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in 7E. His dynamic blend of experience in organizing communities, empowering Black and Brown leaders to pursue community leadership roles, and shaping informed education policies has solidified his role as a leader in educational reform.
"Stepping into the role of Deputy Director at DFER DC marks a profound opportunity to impact student and family lives directly in my hometown," said Horton. "I am committed to using my extensive policy, politics, and community engagement background to further our mission of advancing educational equity and broadening the opportunities for every individual we serve."
"Victor's deep-rooted understanding of our mission, through his pioneering work with Leaders of Color, has made him an essential thought leader within our team,” said Jessica Giles, Executive Director of DFER DC. “His expansive knowledge in public policy and political consultancy, and passion for community empowerment, will amplify our efforts to ensure that every student in DC. can access a just and equitable education."
A native Virginian, Horton has been a part of the Washington DC community for nearly a decade, where he has also made significant strides on Capitol Hill, managing education portfolios and aiding non-profits. His tenure as Commissioner saw him spearheading major civic projects, including public library renovations, advocating for equitable school funding, and leading neighborhood beautification initiatives.
Horton holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Virginia State University, a Master of Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a Master of Education specializing in Public School Leadership from Columbia University.
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About DFER DC
Democrats for Education Reform DC (DFER DC) is the District’s leading political organization building a pipeline of Education Reform Champions who are committed to ensuring our public education system justly and equitably serves all students. With a network of over 10,000 District residents and supporters, we’ve propelled 24 candidates to run for local offices and trained over 100 candidates and campaign staff.
Elorza Urges Vice President Harris to Champion Education Reform Issues, Highlighting Its Vital Role in Strengthening America's Workforce and Economic Growth
(September 10, 2024, Washington, DC) -- Ahead of tonight's presidential debate, Jorge Elorza, CEO of Democrats for Education Reform (DFER), released the following statement, outlining key priorities for Vice President Kamala Harris:
“As Vice President Harris prepares for tonight’s presidential debate, we are encouraged by her focus on building an ‘opportunity economy’—one that recognizes education as a critical pathway to upward mobility. We urge her to make education policy, from early childhood to college, a central focus of her economic agenda.
At the debate, and in the upcoming weeks, we hope to hear Vice President Harris emphasize an uncompromising commitment to quality and innovation in public education. School systems must be held accountable, with a focus on transparency and performance, and innovation should be encouraged by embracing forward-thinking data-driven solutions that push beyond the status quo.
With Trump’s Project 2025 threatening the very existence of the Department of Education, we would also like to hear Vice President Harris underscore the importance of not only preserving the Department but empowering it as a key driver of her economic agenda.
By setting concrete, ambitious goals and making it known that this is a priority of hers, Harris has the opportunity to mobilize the country to transform our public education systems. We look forward to working with Vice President Harris to realize this vision and ensure that every student has the opportunity to attend a great public school that allows them to reach their fullest potential.”
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Thomas-Searcy emphasizes the need for common-sense gun control and mental health support, urging communities to stand together against violence in schools.
(September 5, 2024, Atlanta, Georgia) — In the wake of the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School, Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) South President Alisha Thomas Searcy, released the following statement:
"As an educator, as a former state representative—and most of all, as a parent with children in Georgia’s public schools—yesterday’s tragedy at Apalachee High School has left me both completely heartbroken and deeply frustrated. Furthermore, the continuation of devastating incidents like this leaves me grappling with ongoing feelings of helplessness—overwhelmed by the senseless violence taking place in our communities. Yet, I refuse to allow this sense of powerlessness to immobilize me, and I look to my fellow community members, parents, families, and courageous educators and students themselves, to join me in calling on leadership to enact real change.
Let me be clear: tragedies like these are not normal; and we must never let ourselves be persuaded that they are. As the media moves on to the next headline, we cannot allow this horrific event to become just another day in America. We must remember and honor the victims—the two bright young students with bright futures, the two respected educators, the families now torn apart, and the lives forever altered. We must also push for policies that protect our students: policies that prioritize their mental health, ensure they feel safe in their classrooms, and address the urgent need for common-sense gun control.
We owe it to our communities and to our children to fight tirelessly for a future wherein they have a future.”
###
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DFER Welcomes Outcome in St. Isidore v. Drummond, Avoiding Nationwide Disruption to Charter Laws and Student Access
(May 22, 2025, New York, NY) — Today, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s split decision in St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond, Democrats for Education Reform CEO Jorge Elorza released the following statement, applauding the outcome as a key step in preserving stability for families and reaffirming the public status of charter schools:
"The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond is welcome news for our education system and the four million students who rely on high-quality charter schools across the nation.
While the Court’s decision was split 4–4, the result affirms that charter schools are indeed public schools.
A ruling in the opposite direction could have thrown charter laws into disarray nationwide, forcing states to revisit statutes, inviting legal confusion, and ultimately disrupting learning for millions of students and families. Thankfully, that chaos has been averted for now.
Because the court’s decision was split, it does not set a legal precedent and the Court released no opinions or reasoning for either side of the argument. There may be future challenges, which means that we must all stay vigilant. We must continue to protect what works and stand up for children. Charter schools are delivering results for students, particularly in communities that have been underserved for far too long. Our focus should remain on expanding access, ensuring quality, and keeping students at the center of every conversation."
###
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