Democrats for Education Reform

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is a New York-based political action committee whose mission is to encourage the Democratic Party to embrace policies which will change American public education, including more charter schools and stricter teacher evaluations.[1] The group wants the Democratic Party to embrace so-called education reform,[2] such as standardized testing and the Common Core educational standards.[3] Chalkbeat, a nonprofit news organization that covers education, has called the group "a national pro-charter advocacy group."[4]

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History

DFER emerged around the same time as the Education Equality Project.[2] Whitney Tilson and Kevin P. Chavous are among the group's co-founders.

Positions

DFER has staked out positions that Republicans have traditionally advanced, including school vouchers. The positions advanced by DFER are so unusual among Democrats that the Democratic Party asked the group to stop using "Democrats" in its name.[5]

Leadership

DFER is led by former journalist Joe Williams,[6] who covered Oakland, California's school system.[7] Shavar Jeffries, one of the charter school sector's most prominent black leaders, became the president of the organization in 2015.[8][9][10] Gloria Romero leads the group's California chapter. Ron Tupa is a staff member for the group. Cory Booker is on the group's board of advisors.

Activities

DFER has given money to organizations that support principles that schools should be run like businesses. Among its beneficiaries is the American Federation for Children, founded by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.[5]

In Washington D.C., the DFER sent out attack ads against Janeese Lewis George, a progressive candidate. After conducting polling that showed voters were concerned about crime, DFER claimed that George would defund the police.[11] After the election, DFER apologized for its efforts. [12]

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References
  1. Maranto, Robert; McShane, Michael Q. (2012). President Obama and Education Reform The Personal and the Political. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 1-137-03094-1.
  2. Moe, Terry M. (2011). Special Interest Teachers Unions and America's Public Schools. Brookings Institution Press. ISBN 0-8157-2130-7.
  3. Anderson, Jeffrey (March 2, 2017). "An Education PAC Is Phone-Banking D.C. Residents to Promote Controversial Policy". Washington City Paper. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  4. "Assembly pushes for $1.5 billion boost to education spending". Chalkbeat. 2018-03-13. Retrieved 2018-03-22.
  5. Strauss, Valerie (April 17, 2018). "Colorado Democrats tell Democrats for Education Reform to pound sand". Washington Post. Washington DC. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  6. Kopp, Wendy; Farr, Steven (2011). A Chance to Make History What Works and What Doesn't in Providing an Excellent Education for All. PublicAffairs. ISBN 1-58648-926-7.
  7. Ravitch, Diane (2011). The Death and Life of the Great American School System How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education. Basic Books. ISBN 0-465-02821-7.
  8. Resmovits, Joy. "Democrats for Education Reform's Shavar Jeffries on how to fix his own movement". LATimes.com. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
  9. "Ex-Newark mayoral candidate Jeffries to head education lobbying group". NJ.com. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
  10. "At odds over Trump, Democrats for Education Reform chief resigned from Success board". Politico PRO. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  11. Cohen, Rachel (June 4, 2020). "A PROGRESSIVE CHALLENGER WAS ATTACKED FOR CALLING TO DEFUND THE POLICE. SHE WON ANYWAY". Intercept. Washington DC. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  12. Ryals, Mitch (June 5, 2020). "Democrats for Education Reform Founder Acknowledges Attack Mailers Were Unfair". Intercept. Washington DC. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
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