The Washington Post Gets it Right

The Washington Post Gets it Right “Blanket calls to curtail charter schools completely miss the mark”  The Washington Post’s editorial team gets it right when it comes to Senator Sanders’ education plan. We need more high-quality schools across the country that continue to equalize educational opportunities–especially for communities of color–not fewer. There’s Nothing Progressive About Strangling

A Democratic Guide to Public Charter Schools: Charter School Outcomes

Today we present the fifth and final installment of the 2nd Edition of the Democratic Guide to Public Charter Schools. And we saved the best for last: The reason we support public charter schools is because they work for those students whom they are intended to serve. Across the entire country, public charter schools have

A Democratic Guide to Public Charter Schools: Charter Enrollment in Democratic Strongholds

In Part 4 of the Democratic Guide to Public Charter Schools, we focus on charter enrollment in Democratic strongholds and push back on false claims that the Democratic party has turned against public charter schools. The data disproves this assertion. Our analyses show that Democrats are the predominant party in almost all of the districts with the largest numbers

A Democratic Guide to Public Charter Schools: Support from Democratic Leadership

In Part 2 of the 2nd Edition of our Democratic Guide to Public Charter Schools, we highlight how key Democratic leaders, past and present, at all levels of government, have been instrumental in creating, funding, and advocating for public charter schools. The list includes former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, leading Congressional Democrats such as Senators Patty

A Democratic Guide To Public Charter Schools: Origins

To kick-off National Public Charter Schools Week, we’re excited to rollout the 2nd edition of our “Democratic Guide to Public Charter Schools.” Today, we’re releasing Part 1 which traces the origins of the ideas behind public charter schools back to leading progressive thinkers such as former American Federation of Teachers President Al Shanker, racial identity expert Dr.

DFER National President Releases Statement on Teacher Appreciation Week

New York, N.Y. (May 6, 2019) – Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) National President Shavar Jeffries released the following statement in recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week and the service of our nation’s teachers: “Teachers have the power to shape the future and to transform our children’s lives. They are mentors, coaches, counselors, and fill many other

The Obama Legacy Carries Through Loud and Clear

The Obama Legacy Carries Through Loud and Clear   When President Obama took office in 2009 promising hope and change, he did so amidst the fallout from a recession that left many in the country reeling. Part of that vision was an improved public education system that would prepare all students for success in the

How the Wall Street Journal Gets It Wrong

As a lifelong advocate for educational equity, I found the March 7 op-ed Democrats Have Taken Over Education Reform misleading and irresponsible. Let’s be clear: The Trump education agenda is harmful to our nation’s most vulnerable students. The President has sought to undo policies that are helping millions of students receive a better education—weakening accountability measures; supporting crony-capitalism by predatory for-profit colleges; and rolling back civil rights. Counter to