Statement from Shavar Jeffries on Hillary Clinton’s New College Compact

2016 Presidential Elections

September 30, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Following Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s speech on higher education with Senator Bernie Sanders at the University of New Hampshire this week, Education Reform Now (ERN) President Shavar Jeffries released the following statement:

“Sharing the stage with her former rival, Hillary Clinton laid out a bold vision for the future of American higher education. Secretary Clinton showed tremendous leadership as she spoke about her plan to make college more accessible, affordable, and accountable for student success through the New College Compact.

“Making college debt-free for every student in America – including tuition-free for hardworking families making less than $125,000 per year – by boosting financial aid, pushing states and colleges to invest in affordability for regular families, and creating a more transparent marketplace will help make the dream of a college degree a reality for many more students. Folks focus on the proposed investment, but critical is that Clinton also would hold colleges accountable for cost growth, graduation rates and post-graduation employment, particularly for low-income students and students of color. Secretary Clinton is sending a loud and clear message that ‘yes, you can go to college,’ we’ll all work to make it affordable, and we have high expectations for everyone involved.

“Clinton’s commitment to expanding educational opportunity for students of all backgrounds is core to our values both as Democrats and as Americans. Education Reform Now is proud to have worked closely with the Clinton campaign in helping to develop such a thorough, balanced, and progressive higher education plan in the New College Compact. If we limit the education quality discussion to K-12 schools, we do students, families, and our country a terrible disservice. A quality, college degree is the surest ticket to the middle class and good life.”

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Contact: media@edreformnow.org