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

2020 POLICY OVERVIEW

Democrats for Education Reform’s (DFER) mission is to ensure Democrats pursue education policies that enable all students, particularly students from low-income families and students of color, to obtain a competitive education that empowers them to fulfill their limitless potential. DRIVING CHANGE IN 2020 At DFER, we support a policy agenda that invests more resources into

Democrats For Education Reform Responds To Trump Proposal To Eliminate The Department Of Education

Democrats For Education Reform Responds To Trump Proposal To Eliminate The Department Of Education WASHINGTON, DC — Democrats for Education Reform today responded to reports that the Trump administration is expected to unveil a plan to merge the departments of Education and Labor with the following statement from Policy Director Charles Barone: “At a time when

DFER Joins 400+ State & National Organizations in Opposing American Health Care Act

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) joined over 400 state and national civil rights organizations, as well as student and health care advocacy groups in sending a letter to congressional leaders opposing the American Health Care Act and urging leaders to keep the unique needs of children front and center and adopt a “do no harm” standard

DFER Signs Coalition Letter Securing Provisions of ESSA

Today, DFER joined the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, The Education Trust, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the National Center for Learning Disabilities, the National Council of La Raza, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in urging Senators to vote no on a resolution that would repeal accountability requirements pursuant to the Every

DFER National President Shavar Jeffries Statement on Rollback of Transgender Guidance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DFER National President Shavar Jeffries Statement on Rollback of Transgender Guidance Washington, DC – Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) National President Shavar Jeffries issued the following statement on the Trump administration rollback of protections for transgender students: “We are deeply disturbed by the rollback of federal protections for transgender students. The federal

NY1: What Impact will Education Secretary Betsy DeVos have on City Schools?

Last night, DFER President Shavar Jeffries joined Errol Louis on NY1’s “Road to City Hall” to discuss the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education, as well as the future of public education under the new administration. Watch the roundtable discussion on NY1, here.    

DFER National President Statement on Secretary of Education-Designate Betsy DeVos

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DFER National President Statement on Secretary of Education-Designate Betsy DeVos Washington, DC –Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) National President Shavar Jeffries today released the following statement after his attendance at the confirmation hearing for Betsy DeVos: “This week’s hearing for Betsy DeVos intensified our concerns about the policies she would carry out as

DFER Statement on the Senate Confirmation Hearing for Betsy DeVos

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DFER Statement on the U.S. Senate Confirmation Hearing for Secretary of Education-Designate Betsy DeVos DFER National President Shavar Jeffries calls for clarity on DeVos’ strategy, tactics to end severe disparities in public education – and a denunciation of Trump’s divisive rhetoric Washington, DC –Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) National President Shavar Jeffries

Senate Confirmation Hearing Questions for Betsy DeVos

From DFER National President Shavar Jeffries: On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate HELP Committee will convene the confirmation hearing for Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, conservative activist Betsy DeVos.  From what we know about the education agenda of President-elect Trump and Mrs. DeVos, we are deeply troubled. There is simply too much at stake