DFER LA PAC Announces 41 Endorsements for 2019 Statewide Elections

DFER LA PAC Announces 41 Endorsements  for 2019 Statewide Elections DFER LA PAC will also support Governor Edwards re-election effort Election Day is Sat., October 12th; Early Voting is September 28th-October 5th NEW ORLEANS, LA– Today, Democrats for Education Reform Louisiana announces endorsements for 41 candidates from across the state who are seeking a seat in the Louisiana Legislature and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), as well as Governor John Bel Edwards in his re-election effort.  DFER LA State Director, Eva Kemp released the following statement alongside these endorsements: “Since 2017, DFER Louisiana has worked to recruit and train Democrats of all stripes across Louisiana to run for the Legislature this year. Through the recruitment and endorsement process, DFER LA PAC has chosen to support leaders who champion high-quality public school options for every student across Louisiana, no matter their zip code. We believe that the Democratic Party should be the party that champions opportunity, excellence and equity for Louisiana’s school children. This year’s election cycle provides an opportunity to elect Democrats who will support issues and policies that do just that.”  For the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), DFER LA PAC is endorsing:
  • BESE District 2:   Kira Orange Jones; and
  • BESE District 8:   Preston Castille.
For the Louisiana Senate, DFER LA PAC is endorsing: 
  • Senate District 2:     Sen. Edward “Ed” Price; 
  • Senate District 3:     Rep. John H. Bagneris and Brandon Gregoire; 
  • Senate District 5:     Sen. Karen Carter Peterson; 
  • Senate District 12:   Darrell Fairburn;
  • Senate District 14:   former Sen. Cleo Fields;
  • Senate District 16:   Beverly Brooks Thompson; 
  • Senate District 24:   Sen. Gerald Boudreaux;
  • Senate District 28:   Rep. Robert Johnson; 
  • Senate District 29:   Sen. Jay Luneau; 
  • Senate District 38:   Katrina D. Early; and
  • Senate District 39:   Sen. Gregory Tarver.
For the Louisiana House of Representatives, DFER LA PAC is endorsing:
  • House District 3:   Daryl Joy Walters; 
  • House District 10: Creighton Wilson; 
  • House District 16: Alicia “Cocoa” Calvin and Frederick D. Jones;
  • House District 18: Rep. Jeremy S. LaCombe; 
  • House District 21: C. Travis Johnson; 
  • House District 28: Marcus Johnson and Donald Milligan; 
  • House District 32: former Rep. Herman Ray Hill; 
  • House District 34: Kevin D. Guidry;
  • House District 38: “Phil Cowboy” Lemoine;
  • House District 40: Rep. Dustin Miller;
  • House District 58: Rep. “Ken” Brass; 
  • House District 63: Rep. Barbara West Carpenter and former Rep. Dalton Honore;
  • House District 66: Morgan Lamandre; 
  • House District 67: Leah Cullins and Larry Selders;
  • House District 68: Taryn C. Branson;
  • House District 75: Rep. Malinda Brumfield White;
  • House District 83: James C. Simmons, Jr.; 
  • House District 87: Rep. Rodney Lyons Sr.;
  • House District 91: Carling Dinkler IV; 
  • House District 97: Ethan Ashley;
  • House District 99: Adonis C. Exposé; and
  • House District 100: Jason Hughes.
“DFER LA PAC also endorses Governor John Bel Edwards as he seeks re-election. Governor Edwards has championed commonsense policies that benefit Louisiana’s students and families both inside and outside of the classroom, including a permanent teacher pay raise and an increase in the per pupil funding for K-12 schools, eliminating corporal punishment for students with exceptionalities, overhauling Louisiana’s criminal justice system, and expanding Medicaid for Louisianans,” said Kemp. “We will work alongside Democrats from across the state to ensure Governor Edwards has four more years to move Louisiana forward and make it a better place for us all to live.” The primary election for the Legislature, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Governor’s race and other statewide races will be on Saturday, Oct. 12. Early voting will take place Saturday, Sept. 28 through Saturday, Oct. 5 (except Sunday, Sept. 29) from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. ### Contact: Leslie Leavoy, leslie@dfer.org

Open Choice: An Opportunity to Reverse Declines in Student Enrollment

This year, one of DFER CT’s priorities is to foster a substantive dialogue on shared services and interdistrict cooperation. As we’ve previously shared in our Fact Sheet on district regionalization, shared services can create savings and economies of scale, as well as improve student opportunities.

One thing that is clear in discussions to date is that there cannot be a one size fits all solution on regionalization and district collaboration. Despite our overall small size in comparison to other states, different regions of Connecticut present very different challenges. In the course of these discussions, two questions consistently are raised. (1) Why do some towns have the capacity to give greater educational opportunity than others? And, (2) When schools have extra classroom seats available and face declining enrollment, why shouldn’t students from neighboring towns fill them?

A complementary policy, expanding Connecticut’s Open Choice program, addresses both questions. It aims to increase options for students and address declining enrollment. To learn more, visit our chapter website, or check out our one pager here.

DFER LA Congratulates New Representatives Following Special Election Runoff Results

DFER LA Congratulates New Representatives Following Special Election Runoff Results

DFER LA endorsed Pat Moore in HD17 & Jeremy Lacombe in HD18; both winning with over 60% of the vote

 NEW ORLEANS, LA– Following the results of the special election runoffs across the state last night, Democrats for Education Reform Louisiana’s State Director, Eva Kemp, released the following statement:

“We are excited to congratulate both Jeremy LaCombe and Pat Moore on winning their elections last night,” said Kemp. “Both of these leaders are dedicated to improving public education outcomes for all students in Louisiana and will be valuable additions to the Legislature. We look forward to working with them during this upcoming Regular Session.”

In February, DFER LA endorsed Jeremy Lacombe for the crowded special election race in House District 18. LaCombe finished first in the primary, and won the runoff with 69% of the vote.

DFER LA also supported Pat Moore House District 17. Moore finished first in her primary as well, and won last night with 63% of the vote.

DFER LA’s counterpart, Education Reform Now Advocacy, a 501c4 organization, also ran independent expenditure campaigns in both races.

Detailed results of all elections held yesterday can be viewed here on the Secretary of State’s website.

“At DFER, we believe that elected leaders hold the power to make the changes needed to ensure that students are put first when policies in education are made. We are committed and proud to support the candidates who won their elections throughout this special election cycle, and we look forward to working with them in the Legislature,” said Kemp. “As the fall 2019 election cycle draws near, DFER LA looks forward to supporting more progressive leaders who champion Louisiana’s public schools, families and students.”

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Contact: Leslie Leavoy; leslie@dfer.org

DFER LA Releases Statement on Recent Special Election Results

DFER LA Releases Statement on Recent Special Election Results
DFER LA endorsed Jeremy Lacombe for HD18; LaCombe makes runoff with 43%
Runoff election to be held March 30

NEW ORLEANS, LA– Following the reported results of various special elections across the state last night, Democrats for Education Reform Louisiana’s State Director, Eva Kemp, released the following statement:

“We are excited to congratulate Jeremy LaCombe on finishing first in the runoff last night,” said Kemp. “Jeremy has made improving public education a top priority and will be a valuable addition to the Legislature. We look forward to supporting him during the runoff election.”

Earlier this month, DFER LA endorsed Jeremy LaCombe for the crowded special election race in House District 18. LaCombe finished first last night with 43% of the vote, with Republican Tammi Fabre finishing second with 23% of the vote. The runoff election will be held on Saturday, March 30.

There were seven special elections across the state last night to fill vacant seats in the state House of Representatives, including the 12th, 17th, 18th, 26th, 27th, 47th and 62nd Representative Districts. Detailed results of those elections can be viewed here on the Secretary of State’s website.

DFER-LA PAC also supported Pat Moore House District 17. In that race, Democrats Pat Moore (49%) and Rodney McFarland (34%) advanced to the runoff.

“We congratulate the four Democrats who either won outright or advanced to the runoff in House Districts 17, 18, and 26,” said Kemp. “It’s critical to have more progressive voices in the statehouse to advocate for common sense solutions that impact students and families across the state inside and outside the classroom.”

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Democrats for Education Reform Welcomes Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy to National Advisory Board

Democrats for Education Reform Welcomes Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy to National Advisory Board

NEW YORK, NY – Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) today welcomed Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy to its National Advisory Board.

“We are thrilled to welcome Gov. Malloy to our board,” said DFER President Shavar Jeffries. “Gov. Malloy epitomizes what it means to be an education progressive. Gov. Malloy’s landmark education reform bill, signed into law in 2012, exchanged increased funding for increased accountability in Connecticut’s lowest-performing school districts; built a high-intervention network out of low-performing schools across Connecticut; and funded thousands of new pre-K slots, aimed at granting all children access to early childhood programming, no matter where they live. Under his leadership, the Second Chance Society Initiative and major criminal justice reforms resulted in a serious reduction in violent crime and the lowest prison population since 1994. We are thrilled to take our partnership to the next level in 2019.  
“DFER is dedicated to electing people who are deeply committed to improving our schools and helping all our students realize their full potential,” Gov. Malloy said. “Their advocacy has helped ensure that we have had elected officials willing to take tough but critically important votes that make meaningful improvements to our educational system. That’s why I am so honored to serve on their board in the coming year and for the chance to continue to advocate for equity, opportunity, and success for all our students.”

In the coming year, DFER will be relaunching its advisory board to engage some of the best leaders in the education field to help create and drive the path forward for students. Never has it been more important to unite as progressive education reformers to defend the Obama legacy and the rights of our students to have access to a high-quality public education.

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DFER Colorado Congratulates Jared Polis, Celebrates Progressive Education Victories Up and Down the Ballot

DFER COLORADO CONGRATULATES JARED POLIS, CELEBRATES PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION VICTORIES UP AND DOWN THE BALLOT

From Governor’s Race to Key Legislative Wins, Democratic Primary Voters Proved They Want Leaders Who Will Do More to Improve Public Schools for All Colorado Students

DENVER, CO – Democrats for Education Reform Colorado today released the following statement in response to Democratic primary wins for progressive education champions including the victory of Jared Polis for Governor, Alex Valdez for House District 5, Kerry Tipper for House District 28, Kyle Mullica for House District 34 and Julie Gonzales for Senate District 34.

“Congratulations to Jared Polis for emerging from a hard-fought primary in which every candidate emphasized the importance of high-quality public education for all Colorado students,” said DFER Colorado State Director Jennifer Walmer.  “Jared’s experience with Colorado’s education system – from founding public charter schools for at-risk youth to chairing the State Board of Education – will serve Coloradans well in the fight for more equitable funding and better results for our kids.  We are also proud that from the governor’s race on down the ballot to key legislative races where progressive education champions won, Colorado voters proved that they want leaders who will do whatever it takes to make sure every student has access to a high-quality public education.  Now the focus must be on coming together to send Jared to the Governor’s office and making sure we control both legislative chambers so that we can champion the needs of all families and defend our Colorado values against real threats from the White House. On to November for the sake of all Colorado public school children and families.”

About DFER CO
DFER CO is the Colorado chapter of Democrats for Education Reform, a national political organization that supports elected Democrats and candidates for office who seek to expand policies and practices that work well for America’s students, and to confront those that do not.  We are education progressives who will always prioritize students and families, especially low-income students and students of color who should be better served by our country’s public education system.  Learn more at www.dfer.org.

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Release: Democrats For Education Reform District Of Columbia Congratulates Four Endorsed Candidates For Advancing To November General Election

Democrats For Education Reform District Of Columbia Congratulates Four Endorsed Candidates For Advancing To November General Election

DFER DC Ran Voter Contact Campaign and Spent $300K to Support Progressive Education Reformers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democrats for Education Reform‘s DC branch (DFER DC) today congratulates all four of its endorsed candidates for advancing on to the general election in November.  DFER DC endorsed the following candidates because of their track record as progressive education reformers who put student interests first: Muriel Bowser for mayor, Karl Racine for attorney general, Phil Mendelson for DC Council Chair, and Kenyan McDuffie for DC Council representing Ward 5. DFER DC’s Independent Expenditure Committee spent over $300,000 this May and June to reach voters, elevate the importance of education reform, and elect strong education leaders. Expenditures included a canvass in Wards 1 and 6 that will continue through the general election, as well as TV, mail, radio, newspaper, and digital ads to support its slate of endorsed candidates.

“These four candidates’ advancement to the November general election represents the potential and promise of a stronger public education system for all students in DC,” said Catharine Bellinger, DFER DC Director. “These champions of progressive education reform all have strong track records of standing up for the best interests of students. We are proud to support candidates who will work to make sure that all DC students, regardless of race or income, receive the high-quality public education they deserve. Given the significant challenges facing the city’s public schools, it’s more important than ever that we have strong leaders who will work with schools, educators, and parents to close the achievement gap.”

Leading up to this primary election, DFER canvassers engaged voters across the city, with a concentrated field program in Wards 1 and 6. Thousands of voters signed commitment cards pledging to be ‘Education Voters’ and spoke with our canvassers about their hopes for DC public and public charter schools. Canvassers continued working with voters via door-to-door engagement, phone calls, and text messaging. The organization heard voters, particularly parents, ask local leaders to step up to close the achievement gap, improve struggling schools, and expand access to quality schools. Moving forward, DFER plans to partner with District leaders and policymakers to make that vision a reality. The organization will continue engaging with voters directly through the general election in November to elevate the importance of education reform.

An April 2018 poll conducted by Anzalone Liszt Groves and commissioned by Education Reform Now Advocacy, a partner of Democrats for Education Reform, found that there is broad belief among DC voters that local public schools are improving, but that more is needed to close the achievement gap. More than three out of five voters feel that DC public schools are improving (62% agree), and the sentiment is even more pronounced among public school parents (68% agree.) Improving teacher and principal quality was the top priority for voters and parents, with an 87% majority rating improving educator quality is an extremely or very important goal for DC public schools.

About DFER DC’s Endorsed Candidates
Mayor Muriel Bowser
As Mayor, Muriel Bowser has made educator quality and professionalism a top priority, increasing teacher pay through the renewal of the Washington Teachers Union contract while remaining committed to performance-based evaluation. She has also supported increased funding for public charter school facilities, through a four-year commitment to an annual 2.2% increase to charter facilities funding. As she launches the search for a new DC Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor, DFER looks forward to seeing Mayor Bowser raise the bar for DCPS — only when we hold our schools, educators, and students to a high standard can we advance equity and close persistent achievement gaps.

Attorney General Karl Racine
As the first elected attorney general of the District of Columbia, Karl Racine has made juvenile diversion programs a cornerstone his administration, bringing a data-driven approach to juvenile justice reform that ensures young offenders have a second chance. The Office of the Attorney General, under AG Racine’s leadership, has also worked closely with DC public and public charter schools to reduce truancy and absenteeism through the “I Belong Here” program and social supports for truant students.

DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson
DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson has been a tireless champion for DC public and public charter students throughout his tenure. The Chairman has been a leader on fighting truancy and chronic absenteeism through his participation on the Truancy Taskforce, and has been an outspoken leader on the need to improve our the quality of our comprehensive high schools. On the Council, the Chairman has protected autonomy for educators in both the DCPS and charter sector while fighting for equal access to resources for all public schools.

Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie
As Ward 5 Councilmember, Kenyan McDuffie has been a close partner to Ward 5 DCPS and public charter schools. He has been a vocal supporter of parent choice and ensuring all students have access to a quality public school that meets their needs, while championing the autonomy our educators need to provide the highest-quality education for all students. Councilmember McDuffie has also been a strong advocate for juvenile justice reform and civil rights, passing the Comprehensive Youth Justice Amendment Act to reduce over-incarceration of young people.

Brown v. Board, 64 Years Later

Brown v. Board, 64 Years Later

DFER-NY Team

If you’ve been watching the news recently it’s hard to escape a growing number of complaints from Americans who are uncomfortable with blacks sharing spaces traditionally reserved for whites. In the last weeks we’ve seen  two black men forcibly removed from a Starbucks, a black woman reported for being in her dorm at Yale,  a black family reported for legally barbequing at a park, and a black man reported for “breaking into” his own apartment on the UWS when he was actually just moving in.

The parallels from these stories to a recent outcry from parents on the UWS are no coincidence. When a plan was introduced at a community meeting in April with an aim to integrate some of the higher-performing middle schools that have mostly white student populations, some parents argued that their children had earned spots at those schools over underperforming students of color who did not deserve to be there.

Sixty-four years after the civil rights catalyst case, Brown v. Board of Education was decided, public schools are still experiencing de facto segregation. In New York City, a student’s ability to read and do math on grade level is still largely correlated to race and income. High-performing schools have majority white and Asian student populations while lower-performing schools are almost exclusively black and Latino. It’s a data point we’ve heard for decades and it’s been the subject of conversations about the achievement gap, resource inequality, and housing segregation.

Many liberals and progressives scream that if there were only more money for poor kids, things would be better; that if we just increased funds for schools that the gaps would close. But this is the hard, unacknowledged truth in the conversation about school segregation – some wealthy white parents would rather keep the system of separate but “equal” alive. Fund poor schools so they don’t have to take spots reserved for my kids. If this sounds harsh, you should hear what UWS parents actually said at the town hall.

Data has shown us over and over again that poverty does not determine academic destiny, but people peddle this myth full-time to abscond themselves of the responsibility to educate black and Latino children. The excuses are endless: how can kids who grow up experiencing the challenges of poverty be expected to perform at the same levels? How can we hold teachers accountable for educating kids who don’t have home support systems? Yet proof points of poor, black children succeeding exist all over this city, state, and country that go unacknowledged because of the truths they reveal- that it is possible and that we have to make some hard changes in policy to achieve equity.

It’s a present-day ugly truth; one that’s very hard to acknowledge for our society. Separate but equal was struck down by the Supreme Court for a reason; it’s unfair and it’s never equal.  Black families are exercising school choice at the highest rate ever in NYC. They’re opting into schools outside of their neighborhoods and seeking options for their children in neighborhoods with high-performing schools largely reserved for white students. They’re sending their kids to charter schools that have shown that high academic performance and poverty can go hand in hand.

It’s been sixty-four years since Brown v. Board and black families belong at high-performing schools. They belong at Starbucks, at parks, in Ivy League dorms, and expensive apartment buildings. Our kids and our communities deserve true progress.

DFER CO: Colorado Supreme Court Unequivocal in Support of Teacher Effectiveness Law

Colorado Supreme Court Unequivocal in Support of Teacher Effectiveness Law

In a critical ruling that has huge implications for the rights of education leaders to determine who teaches in their schools, the Colorado Supreme Court today issued a resounding decision in support of Senate Bill 191, 2010’s landmark teacher effectiveness legislation.

The court ruled in unanimous fashion that 191 did not deprive teachers of due process rights in requiring “mutual consent” between principals and teacher candidates before those candidates are hired.

Our public schools work best when school leaders have authority to manage, evaluate and ultimately hire teachers of their choosing. We support policies that allow principals and their teams of educators to make building-level hiring decisions, holding them accountable for student performance and allowing them flexibility to exercise sound, professional judgement.

Students will have access to a better education system where adults are held accountable for serving them well, and educators are empowered to make choices about employment to serve students’ best interests.

Below is the wording of the ruling:

In this case, the Supreme Court considers two questions. First, it considers whether the General Assembly, by enacting the Teacher Employment, Compensation, and Dismissal Act of 1990 (“TECDA”), created a legislative contract that it later impaired by enacting the unpaid-leave provisions of section 22-63-202(2)(c.5), C.R.S. 16 (2017).
Second, it considers whether a nonprobationary teacher who is placed on unpaid leave under section 22-63-202(2)(c.5)(IV) is deprived of due process. The Supreme Court holds that TECDA did not create a legislative contract or vest nonprobationary teachers who are placed on unpaid leave with a property interest in salary and benefits.
The Supreme Court therefore concludes that the General Assembly has not impaired a contractual obligation by enacting the unpaid-leave provisions, and that nonprobationary teachers who are placed on unpaid leave have not suffered a violation of their right to due process.

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