DFER Urges DNC Platform Committee on Revisions 

Three current recommendations would ‘exacerbate inequities in ed opportunity’   WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 15, 2020) – Democrats for Education Reform National President Shavar Jeffries released the below statement following today’s Democratic National Committee (DNC) Platform Drafting Committee vote to advance the recommendations of the Biden-Sanders Task Force: “We agree with many of the policy recommendations proposed

DFER CT Responds to School Reopening Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 29, 2020 CONTACT: Amy Dowell | Amy@dfer.org April 29, 2020 — Rethinking the logistics of how we educate children in a pandemic is no easy task. The plans put forward today by Governor Lamont’s administration are substantive and thoughtful, and we are grateful for the hard work of Commissioner Cardona and

DFER Condemns Governor Haslam for Skipping Another Year of Accountability for Tennessee Schools, Calls on Secretary DeVos to Closely Review this Decision that Harms Tennessee Children

DFER Condemns Governor Haslam for Skipping Another Year of Accountability for Tennessee Schools, Calls on Secretary DeVos to Closely Review this Decision that Harms Tennessee Children Decision Marks the Second Time in Three Years that Tennessee Skirts Accountability, This Time Mere Months After the Volunteer State’s ESSA Plan – Contingent on Assessments – Was Approved

Shavar Jeffries on Empowering Parents and Strengthening Black Communities

The following op-ed by DFER President originally appeared on The Root  Some reform critics seek a policy regime in which their opinions about school options trump the decisions of individual black parents. That is the opposite of black empowerment.     In a piece entitled, “Democratic Political Infighting Over Education Harms Black Families,” which was published on The

DNCC Releases Draft 2016 Platform Language Supporting Progressive Education Reform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DNCC Releases Draft 2016 Platform Language Supporting Progressive Education Reform Washington, DC – Today, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) released its draft of the 2016 Democratic Party Platform, which outlines a progressive, pro-student, pro-public education vision for our Party and our country and embraces more resources and reform in our schools.

Shavar Jeffries in New York Daily News | The Establishment Bernie Sanders Likes

In the New York Daily News, DFER President Shavar Jeffries calls out the flip-flops and hypocrisy in Bernie Sanders’ education record. As the next round of hand-wringing over the Democratic race commences, those of us who are focused on education policy have our own questions.   First, why, when Democrats need a broad coalition of

Joint Statement on the Senate's Passage of the Every Child Achieves Act

Since HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander announced his plans to reauthorize ESEA at the beginning of this year, our organizations have worked together—across lines that often divide us on matters of public policy—to secure provisions in the law that we all think are vitally important to this nation’s future. Our common goals include: • Maintaining the

DFER-CO Applauds Current & Former Governors' Statements on HB1323

  DFER Colorado commends the public statements made Wednesday by Governor Romer, Governor Owens and Governor Hickenlooper regarding Colorado’s high standards and assessment programs. Seeking to provide historical context on today’s current debate, this bi-partisan group of current and former Governors detailed what has been a point of consensus regarding what our children deserve from

ESEA Infographic Brief #4 – Accountability

Reporting student performance outcomes provides information helpful to parents. But using those outcomes to trigger concrete action is what drives real change. ESEA Infographic Brief #4