DFER News Roundup 6.27.2014

Blogs, Letters & Testimonials

June 27, 2014

DFER News Roundup

By Stephanie Doctrow, Communications Coordinator and Web Editor, and Bianca Dorsey, Communications Intern

Featured:

  • Last week we launched our new public fundraising website, The DFER List. This is a big step for our movement, and we urge you to check it out if you haven’t already!

DFER Seen & Heard:

  • DFER-MA’s Liam Kerr and John Griffin addressed the importance of teacher preparation in a Worcester Telegram op-ed.

Advocacy, Policy Briefs & Such:

  • Statement | DFER launches new public fundraising website.

DFER Blog:

  • Read about DFER-MA’s testimony against the state’s new school performance assessments.
  • Policy Analyst LeBuhn discusses the Fordham Institute and Public Impact’s new report, “Lacking Leaders,” and the importance of teachers and principals.
  • According to DFER-MI’s Harrison Blackmond, being an education reformer and a strong supporter of collective bargaining is not impossible.
  • “Poor Rubain Dorancy had no idea what he was walking into,” Williams writes of the NY state Senate candidate’s tweet noting the importance of the Vergara case.

In Related News:

  • Jonathan Chait discusses four promises made and met by President Obama in New York magzine.
  • Leslie Brody reports that a new advocacy group in New York is helping parents challenge state’s the teacher tenure, similar to the Vergara case in California. (Wall Street Journal)
  • “Unfortunately, antiquated and counterproductive state laws stand in the way of equity and opportunity for our nation’s children,” Jared Polis writes in the Orange County Register.
  • Colorado Speaker Mark Ferrandino, a DFER-CO advisory board member, will serve as the new CFO for Denver Public Schools.
  • What school evaluation systems will states choose to use? EdWeek‘s Andrew Ujifusa discusses school accountability systems.
  • Lamar Alexander and Michael Bennet penned an op-ed in The New York Times on how simplifying the FAFSA will get more kids into college.

Fun With Infographics & More:

  • Infographic | Top 5 Reasons to Donate Using the DFER List.