As the Senate prepares to hold a confirmation hearing for Secretary of Education nominee Linda McMahon, DFER urges lawmakers to use this opportunity to ensure the nominee is committed to staying focused on substantive education matters and not on divisive culture war issues. As the latest NAEP results clearly show, our nation’s children, particularly those from low-income families, continue to fall further behind, and we need policymakers who are serious and substantive.

Education is the foundation of opportunity in America. It allows children, no matter their background, to dream bigger, reach higher, and build a better future. But today, our education system is in crisis. Too many students are struggling with reading and math, many teachers are leaving the profession, and many families feel they lack the support and options to ensure their children receive the best possible education. The question isn’t about partisanship but whether we dare to tackle these challenges with serious, results-driven leadership. This leadership should involve being laser-focused on results, expanding high-quality public options for families, and targeting support to the kids who need it most.

This is also a moment for Democrats to lead, not by simply opposing Republicans but by laying out a clear, ambitious vision for the future of education in America. We must acknowledge the scale of the crisis and commit to bold, practical reforms that improve literacy, raise achievement, and expand high-quality public school options.

We call on the Senate to demand clarity on how the nominee will:

• Ensure all students, particularly those from historically marginalized communities, have access to high-quality education by upholding federal assessment and accountability measures.
• Protect and expand school options for families, like high-performing public charter schools.
• Ensure that funding is distributed based on need, providing support for the students and schools that require it most.
• Expand opportunities for students to engage in career-connected learning that equips them with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce
• Rebuild the teaching profession by fostering a sustainable environment for educators to thrive and ensuring we have the best teachers in the world. 
• Improve the FAFSA process to guarantee all eligible students, including those from mixed-status families, can access federal aid.

This hearing is pivotal for the future of education in America. We urge Senators to demand transparent, actionable commitments from the nominee because the stakes for our students, educators, and communities have never been higher.

HOW TO WATCH

To stay informed and engaged in this critical moment for the future of education, we encourage you to watch the Senate confirmation hearing for the next Secretary of Education.

? Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM ET / 9:00 AM CT

? Click here to watch live.

This hearing is an opportunity to hear directly from the nominee and assess how her leadership will impact students, educators, and families nationwide. We urge everyone who cares about the future of education to tune in and stay engaged in the conversation.

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January 29, 2025 (New York, NY) — Today, Democrats for Education Reform CEO Jorge Elorza released the following statement in response to the release of the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores:

“The release of the latest NAEP data confirms a sobering reality: Academic outcomes for our nation’s students are embarrassingly dismal, and they’re only getting worse. Reading scores fell again, and while math scores have shown a slight improvement, they remain far below 2019 levels. All of the blame cannot be placed on the pandemic; these disappointing results continue a downward trend that started before 2020. Now, our students are scoring worse than their counterparts did 30 years ago. The gains made since the Nineties, which the education reform movement fought so hard for, are in danger of being wiped out as scores drop and opportunity gaps widen.

Most concerning, the divide between our highest-achieving and lowest-achieving students has grown across all grades and all subjects to the widest level in the history of the assessment. These results make it painfully clear that we are failing to provide the targeted interventions and investments necessary to close these gaps and ensure all students—especially those historically underserved—have access to a high-quality education.

We cannot afford to accept this as the status quo and we remain committed to ensuring that all students in America, including low-income, Black and brown students, have access to high-quality learning opportunities. Now more than ever, we must double down on evidence-based strategies that accelerate learning. We need bold, sustained action from policymakers, school leaders, and communities to ensure every student receives the education they deserve regardless of background or zip code. Solutions such as high-impact tutoring, science of reading initiatives, and high-performing charter schools have been vital to improving outcomes and they should be replicated across the country with fidelity to best practices.

As we look forward to the solutions urgently needed to remedy these poor outcomes, it’s also vital to double down on our commitment to assessments and accountability. The longitudinal data that NAEP provides is absolutely essential in identifying and solving the problems that students face, and we strongly urge President Trump to invest in the Department of Education’s ability to continue performing this role. The Department also must remain committed to the enforcement of state assessments and accountability to ensure that all districts, schools, and families have data on their individual performance and that schools are provided support and held accountable when they fall short.    

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) remains steadfast in our commitment to fighting for policies and resources that prioritize students. We urge leaders at every level to act with urgency because the future of our nation depends on it.” 

National NAEP scores by student percentile

Credit: Chalkbeat

(November 21, 2024, New York, New York) – Today, Democrats for Education Reform’s CEO Jorge Elorza released the following statement regarding Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon.

“While we know little about Linda McMahon’s personal views on education, we are deeply concerned that the Department of Education will be used to deploy Trump’s MAGA playbook of focusing on divisive politics and culture war issues at the expense of results for families and students. At a time when American schools face a severe crisis—marked by low literacy and math proficiency rates, and widening opportunity gaps—we need leadership focused on solutions over politics. 

As we continue to learn more about Linda McMahon and her policy priorities, Democrats must seize this moment to present a renewed vision for America’s schools. Our education policy should not be about opposing Republicans for the sake of opposition; we must offer a comprehensive vision that both acknowledges the depth of the crisis and offers concrete solutions to address it. I look forward to working with our Democratic leaders in Washington and across the states to develop that renewed vision and to deliver real results for families.”

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Elorza acknowledges major democratic wins and urges education advocates to continue to push for education policy that will benefit students and improve the public school education system

(NEW YORK, NY, November 6, 2024) Jorge Elorza, CEO of Democrats for Education Reform, released the following statement celebrating the important wins of the democratic party and continuing to push for education policy that improves outcomes for all students:

“Today we find ourselves at a moment that calls for both reflection and resolve. The election has been decided, and while the outcome may not be what many of us hoped for, our commitment to our values and each other remains steadfast. As educators and advocates, we must stand firm in our commitment to providing access to quality public education for all students. The challenges we face in education, economic opportunity, and justice demand that we keep working, building, and holding fast to our ideals. 

As we move forward, we must remain engaged—ensuring every child, no matter where they come from, has a fair shot at success. I know many of us feel disappointed, but I’ve always believed that true progress is the work of many hands and many hearts. So let’s continue to reach out to one another, support one another, and defend the values that make our country strong.

This is not the time to give up; this is the time to dig deep and renew our commitment to the America we believe in. Together, we can still build a future that lifts every child and family, and where everyone has a place in the American story.”

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Elorza highlights the urgency of electing leaders dedicated to expanding high-quality educational opportunities for all students

(NEW YORK, NY, November 5, 2024) – Ahead of tonight’s elections, Jorge Elorza, CEO of Democrats for Education Reform, released the following statement emphasizing the critical importance of electing leaders who will champion high-quality public education for every student and family:

“Today, as Americans across the country head to the polls, we have a real opportunity to chart a new path for our nation’s public education system: the foundation of our democracy, the engine of our economic strength, and the heart of our shared values. 

At Democrats for Education Reform, we believe that a high-quality education should not be a privilege reserved for the few, but a right for every student, and every family. Today, we’re committed to electing candidates at all levels, across the country—from Vice President Kamala Harris to first-time school board members—who share that vision. Our schools need dedicated champions who are passionate about transformative education reform that expands high-quality educational opportunities for all.

We are excited to work with newly elected leaders and the many dedicated Democratic public school champions nationwide to build the exceptional public school systems our children deserve.”

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Elorza believes a deeper commitment to K-12 education is needed to move forward with a stronger “Economic Opportunity” Agenda

(New York, NY) – “In this week’s vice presidential debate between Governor Tim Walz and Senator J.D. Vance, one of the most critical issues facing American families was absent from the discussion. As the foundation of America’s economic strength, education deserves a central place in any debate about the future of our nation.

With millions of students struggling in underperforming schools and widening inequalities in access to quality education, the debate offered an opportunity to address how reforming our education system could drive economic growth and ensure that every child, regardless of background, has a chance to succeed. Neither candidate, who have positioned themselves as a voice for working families, took the opportunity to spotlight K-12 education within their economic visions.

We must demand that K-12 education take its rightful place in the national dialogue, as it is essential to the future of our economy, workforce, and society. We look forward to hearing the campaigns emphasize an uncompromising commitment to quality, innovation, and reform in public education, and make it clear that the future of our economy is inextricably tied to the success of our education system.”

As Harris Prepares to Speak in Pittsburgh, Elorza Calls for Bold Action to Connect K-12 Schools with Economic Mobility and National Strength

(New York, NY) — Today, ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris’s upcoming speech to voters in Pittsburgh, PA, Democrats for Education Reform’s (DFER) CEO Jorge Elorza released the following statement, calling for VP Harris to center education in her economic plan:

“As Vice President Harris heads to Pittsburgh to speak about her vision for an “Opportunity Economy,” we urge her to prioritize K-12 education as a cornerstone of her economic vision and of providing pathways to upward mobility for the working class. Today, there is an urgent need to not only respond to the post-Covid desire for something different in education but to also connect K-12 education more directly to building a resilient, thriving economy. 

Harris speaks passionately about her own education journey, she selected a former teacher as a running mate, and she is unencumbered by previous policy positions. She has the opportunity to mobilize America toward making our K-12 public schools the envy of the world. In contrast to Republicans’ “Project 2025” proposal to retreat from national leadership on education, Harris should lean into education’s essential role and embed it even deeper into the core of her economic agenda. 

Transforming K-12 public education is the most effective and uplifting investment we can make to bolster America’s long-term strength. Doing so would not only be good policy and politics for Harris; it would be what America needs.”

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Elorza cites Walz’s dedication to education as a reason for optimism about the future of American public schools under the new administration.

(New York, NY, August 6, 2024) — Today, Democrats for Education Reform’s (DFER) CEO Jorge Elorza released the following statement congratulating Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz on his nomination as Vice President:

“DFER congratulates Governor Tim Walz on his nomination as Vice President for the Democratic Party. We celebrate Governor Walz’s lifelong commitment to public service and are excited about the potential of this new administration. 

Governor Walz, with twenty years of experience as a public school teacher, truly understands the transformative power of quality education. As governor, he has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to strengthening Minnesota’s public school system and ensuring that all children in the state have access to high-quality education.

During his tenure, he oversaw the largest per-pupil funding increase in 15 years, significantly investing in special education, teacher diversity, and implementing a universal free lunch program. His administration prioritized equity and remained steadfast in delivering real solutions to Minnesota families.

Minnesota has long been a hub of educational innovation, being the first state to open a public charter school. Governor Walz embraced this tradition, advocating for improved literacy through the READ Act, which guarantees interventions for students needing support and funds the implementation of the Science of Reading across the state. 

Governor Walz exemplifies the pragmatic, forward thinking leadership we need in Washington.

We look forward to working closely with the Harris-Walz administration to address the persistent challenges facing our education system. Together, we can build on existing progress and push for innovative solutions that ensure every student in America has access to a high-quality public education and the opportunity to achieve economic security.”

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Elorza Calls for Bold Educational Reforms and Expanded Public School Options to Drive Upward Mobility.

(New York, NY, July 26, 2024) — Today, Democrats for Education Reform’s CEO Jorge Elorza released the following statement in response to Vice President Kamala Harris’s speech at the AFT convention in Houston:

“Vice President Harris’s address at the AFT convention yesterday underscored the critical role of teachers and public schools in securing a brighter future for America’s students—a vision for the country mirrored in DFER’s mission. As families grapple with deep anxiety about their children’s economic futures, we know that a high-quality public education is crucial to fostering upward mobility and unlocking new opportunities.

Throughout her career, Vice President Harris has demonstrated an instinct for bold action, and now more than ever, there is a clear hunger for meaningful change in our education system. I urge VP Harris to lay out a bold education vision that centers the Department of Education as a key driver of her vision for the future. Americans are anxious about the future and there is no better investment than ensuring that every child has a top-notch education. 

To achieve this vision, Vice President Harris should set audacious goals and then focus intensely on “what works.” This includes accelerating the replication and scaling of innovative practices like the science of reading, personalized instruction, and data-driven decision-making. We must redefine the teaching profession to ensure educators have the resources and support they need to meet the diverse needs of their students. 

Vice President Harris deeply understands the necessity of reforming systems that fail to serve their constituents, particularly marginalized communities. From her personal experiences with school busing, she also recognizes the critical importance of providing communities with a diverse range of public school options, beyond the schools that they were historically redlined into. Parents want a broad range of high-quality options and we need to be the party that provides that to them.

We look forward to partnering with Vice President Harris to shape an ambitious education agenda that incentivizes innovation, commits relentlessly to quality, and expands access to public school options. Together, we can make education a powerful equalizer, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.”

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Elorza highlights Biden’s education wins, urges Democrats to unite behind a student-centered agenda

New York, NY (July 21, 2024) – Today, DFER CEO Jorge Elorza released the following statement in response to President Biden’s decision to not seek re-election:

“President Biden’s decision to step down as the Democratic nominee for President marks a historic moment for our nation and exemplifies the selflessness he has displayed throughout his career in public service. This is an example that our students—future leaders themselves—can look to as a model of true leadership. 

President Biden and Congress made historic investments in education to address learning loss exacerbated by the pandemic, supporting much-needed programs like high-impact tutoring and other critical resources. The administration also championed higher education access and affordability, including substantial support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and initiatives to make college and career opportunities accessible and affordable for all students and their families.

We extend our deepest gratitude to President Biden for his lifelong service to our country and for his exceptional leadership throughout his presidency. As we look to the future, I call on all Democratic leaders to rally around a new nominee who will reaffirm our party’s commitment to a student-centered agenda, one that is focused on innovation, quality, and giving every family high-quality public school options to choose from. By building on the foundation laid by prior Democratic leaders, we can—and will—advance educational equity for every child in America.”

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