The Implications of Voter Suppression in New York City During a Pandemic

By Katherine Otilia Zapata Let’s be frank, New York City has absolutely faced a multitude of adversities throughout the coronavirus pandemic; but its recent string of voting-related issues cannot simply be wiped away using COVID-19 as an excuse. Because when we analyze the complications—such as the tardiness of late absentee ballot deliveries due to mismanagement

ERNA NY Launches Campaign with Voto Latino to Drive Early Voting 

ERNA NY Launches Campaign with Voto Latino to Drive Early Voting  New York, N.Y. (October 23, 2020) — Education Reform Now Advocacy New York (ERNA-NY), an affiliate of Democrats for Education Reform New York (DFER-NY), and Voto Latino are excited to announce a collaborative effort to increase voter turnout among communities of color in New

DFER-NY Releases Statement on Delayed School Opening 

NEW YORK, NY (Sept. 1, 2020) — Democrats for Education Reform-New York (DFER-NY) Director Crisanta Duran released the below statement following today’s decision to delay the start of the school year: “We applaud the decision to delay the reopening of New York City schools and make the health and wellbeing of students and educators a top

DFER NY Appoints New State Director

Crisanta Duran to Lead Work to Improve Equitable Outcomes for NY Students NEW YORK, N.Y. (March 30, 2020)— Democrats for Education Reform New York (DFER-NY) announced today that Crisanta Duran will serve as the chapter’s new director, as well as director for its affiliate organization, Education Reform Now NY (ERN-NY). Crisanta will continue DFER-NY’s mission

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

En este Mes de la Herencia Hispana, debemos seguir apoyando a nuestros estudiantes

Este año, el Mes de Herencia Hispana viene a un tiempo tenso en los Estados Unidos y es un momento esencial para la comunidad Hispana. Solo en el último año, hemos visto arrestos de inmigración (ICE) subir 43 porciento, el perdón presidencial de sheriff Arpaio que manejaba una cárcel cruel e inhumana en el desierto

This Hispanic Heritage Month, We Must Continue to Support Our Students

This year Hispanic Heritage Month comes at a tense time in the United States and a pivotal moment for the Hispanic community. In the last year alone, we’ve seen ICE arrests rise 43 percent, a presidential pardon of Sheriff Arpaio who ran the cruel and inhumane outdoor jail for Hispanic people, Mexicans accused of being

Now More Than Ever, Representation and Advocacy Matters for Our Students and Their Families

By Nicole Brisbane, DFER New York State Director The day after the election I received a call from my friend who is a Latina teacher in upstate New York. We were all suffering from the whiplash of the presidential election that day. She told me that her elementary students, many of whom are children of

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.    

Fox 5 NY: Shavar Jeffries Says Opt Out Effort Could Adversely Impact Communities of Color

Today, Democrats for Education Reform National President Shavar Jeffries appeared on FOX 5’s Good Day New York to discuss Common Core, New York State opt out groups and how their efforts could have an adverse impact on children of color. The segment comes as New York’s public schools begin statewide standardized testing: