DFER News Roundup
Featured:
- Our February Reformer of the Month is state Rep. Christian Mitchell, who is battling for re-election in Illinois’ 26th district. Mitchell has led the fight for education funding reform and the replication and expansion of quality charter schools in his state, and he needs our help to continue his work!
- In “Ten Essential Policy Changes for a Truly Progressive Education System in New York City,” DFER recommends what key education issue areas Mayor de Blasio should take action on during his first four years in office.
DFER Seen & Heard:
- Joe Williams told Real Clear Education‘s Emmeline Zhao that “Even NYSUT has trouble stretching reality so far as to make it seem like they have a real problem with the Common Core. But it looks bad when they’re against teacher evaluations and the public hears that — because everyone gets evaluated in their work.”
- DFER-WA’s Tania de Sa Campos told John Higgins of the Seattle Times she was pleased by the approval process for Washington state’s first public charter schools. De Sa Campos: “I would choose the deliberation and the high standards over a rush just to get doors open that don’t serve kids.”
- DFER’s education policy recommendations for Mayor DiBlasio made POLITICO’s Morning Education.
- DFER-CO’s Jen Walmer commented to KDVR’s Eli Stokols on the Colorado Education Association’s lawsuit over Senate Bill 191: “We believe the educational needs of Colorado’s children should be our top priority. Any effort to undermine the reforms of 191 place children second to tired, old special interest politics.”
- Walmer was also interviewed by Colorado Public Radio: “Mutual consent is a pivotal part and an extremely important provision of legislation and I think the CEA positioning that somehow ‘tweaking’ or ‘fixing’ mutual consent doesn’t undermine the intent of the legislation is false.”
- DFER Policy Director Charles Barone told the Huffington Post’s Joy Resmovits he hoped President Obama would address educational equity in his State of the Union address.
- “[Mayor DiBlasio] seems to be showing signs that he’s more interested in the tax increase than providing pre-K,” Joe Williams said to the New York Post’s Aaron Short.
- Williams also appeared on Choice Media to discuss voting and school choice.
Advocacy, Policy Briefs & Such:
- DFER Policy Director Charles Barone and Legislative Director Domenic Giandomenico dissect the President’s education priorities in “State of the Union: The Day After.”
DFER Blog:
- “School reform in Colorado is under attack – and we want you to understand how important this battle really is.”
- DFER-WA’s Tania de Sa Campos praises Washington state’s newly approved public charter schools.
In Related News:
- “By engineering a no-confidence vote in New York State Education Commissioner John King and retreating from prior commitments to high standards and accountability, the union risks losing public support for schools,” writes former Department of Education official Peter Cunningham in the Huffington Post.
- EdWeek’s Michele Molnar writes, “State Chambers of Commerce Defend Common Core.”
- “F.C.C. Says It Will Double Spending on High-Speed Internet in Schools and Libraries,” writes the New York Times’ Edward Wyatt.
- DNAinfo Chicago’s Sam Cholke reports on DFER’s backing of state Rep. Christian Mitchell.
- Former Colorado Governors Bill Owens (R) and Bill Ritter (D), in a guest column for the Colorado Springs Gazette: “We can’t afford to let teachers’ union stop education reform.”
- “Colorado Education Association’s lawsuit is bad for education,” argues the Denver Post’s editorial board.
- The economy is still America’s top issue, according to a recent Gallup survey. For Democrats, education ranks second and poverty ranks third. (POLITICO)
- EdWeek’s Andrew Ujifusa and Michele McNeil write, “Analysis points to growth in per-pupil spending – and disparities.”
Fun With Infographics & More:
- Infographic | A look back at National School Choice Week.
- Happy Chinese New Year from DFER!
- Infographic | State of the Union: K-12 Education Style.