DFER/ERN President Shavar Jeffries’ Twitter Response to Randi Weingarten Added Below
Many readers are aware that over the past weekend, the Democratic National Committee made significant changes to the draft Democratic Party Platform that was first posted on July 1st. We think many of the changes made last weekend to the education section of the platform – such as those opposing racially discriminatory discipline practices and supporting restorative justice policies – are big improvements.
Others, however, including those that seem to encourage parents to opt their kids out of state academic assessments, something civil rights groups have repeatedly and harshly criticized, are seriously problematic, especially given the closed-door nature of the proceedings that did not appear to include any national civil rights leaders.
Because the DNC has thus far not produced a comprehensive account of the changes made to the platform, even though 3 days have elapsed since such changes were agreed to, we have decided, in the interest of transparency, to transcribe those related to education based on the video of the proceedings made available by C-Span.
Click here for a transcript of Saturday’s proceedings.
Click here for our interpretation of where the platform stands now, incorporating the approved amendments as we understand them.
Disclaimer: This is an unofficial transcript of the DNC’s meetings on July 8th and 9th based on video made available by C-SPAN. We think it’s an accurate transcription but it’s possible that the DNC may have recorded these proceedings differently. We created these documents solely for the purposes of providing transparency and stimulating discussion.
DFER/ERN President Shavar Jeffries’ Twitter Response to Randi Weingarten
Want to set a few things straight about @DFER_News + our mission to secure quality public edu for ALL of our babies, esp most vulnerable 1/
— Shavar Jeffries (@shavarjeffries) July 20, 2016
Like @POTUS we support investing in resources AND common-sense reform in schools bc no child shld be stuck in an underperforming school 3/
— Shavar Jeffries (@shavarjeffries) July 20, 2016
.@DFER_News fights to uphold @TheDemocrats commitment to social justice + civil rights, as access to a quality pub edu is a civil right. 5/
— Shavar Jeffries (@shavarjeffries) July 20, 2016
Undermining standards and accountability as @AFTunion + others are trying to do hurts kids, esp in low-income comms and comms of color. 7/
— Shavar Jeffries (@shavarjeffries) July 20, 2016
So while @rweingarten wastes time hitting us, I'll be at the table working w/ students, families, our AMAZING educators, communities… 9/
— Shavar Jeffries (@shavarjeffries) July 20, 2016
And finally want to shout out our incredible @DFER_News nat'l + state staff who do incredible work on behalf of kids. THANK YOU! 11/11
— Shavar Jeffries (@shavarjeffries) July 20, 2016