Our Biggest Stories of the Week

Every week, we’re busy making policy and making headlines. You can learn about our efforts in greater detail on our chapter website. In the meanwhile, below are this week’s top three stories from DFER CT! Planning for Back-to-School and Comparing State-level Approaches to Distance Learning CT Mirror: Will extra education aid go to remedy learning

House Bill 399 Passed House Education Committee by a 7-4 vote

House Bill 399 Passed House Education Committee by a 7-4 vote HB 399 establishes an equitable shortfall plan for TOPS program BATON ROUGE, LA– Today, the Louisiana House Education Committee reported House Bill 399 by Rep. Gary Carter (D-New Orleans) favorably as amended by a vote of 7-4. HB 399 would establish an equitable shortfall plan

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 on the Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Ruling in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Statement: DFER’s Shavar Jeffries on the Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Ruling in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin Washington, D.C. – Today, following the Supreme Court’s a 4-3 vote to uphold the University of Texas’ use of affirmative action in higher education admissions, DFER President Shavar Jeffries released the following statement:

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

Shavar Jeffries | SOTU 2016: President Obama's Education Legacy

The following post originally appeared on The Huffington Post: By Shavar Jeffries, National President of Democrats for Education Reform Tonight President Obama will deliver his final State of the Union address, where he will reflect on the incredible progress made during the past seven years of his administration and lay out an ambitious agenda for

Massachusetts Higher Ed: Excellence Without Equity

By Liam Kerr, DFER-Massachusetts State Director Democrats for Education Reform sent a “secret shopper” to 11 elite Massachusetts colleges and universities to get a glimpse at how good a job these schools are doing in supporting the relatively small number of working class and low-income students enrolled.  The results either call into question the veracity of the

College Affordability: Front & Center

Jen Walmer, DFER-Colorado Expanding the access and affordability of higher education is a long-simmering issue that has erupted onto the national political scene. Presidential candidates are finally addressing on the campaign trail what too many American families have had to address at the kitchen table: access to a college degree – long the key to

Jeb Bush and the Copycat Presidential Campaigns

Is there something in the water? Jeb Bush just announced that he’ll give this year’s commencement address at Liberty University. He now joins the long line of Republicans – Ted Cruz, John McCain, Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann, Mitt Romney, even his own father – in delivering remarks to the Liberty Flames. Looks like all of

Ted Cruz: And Liberty for Some

Of course Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) chooses Liberty University as the setting to announce he’ll be running for President.  Liberty University is one of the worst colleges in the country for poor and minority students.  High price, high debt, and deplorable black student completion rates as compared to peer institutions serving similar students. High Price &