Stephanie Doctrow | 502.432.8071 | Stephanie@dfer.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Education Reformers Beef Up Staff
Democrats for Education Reform Welcomes Green Dot Founder Steve Barr; Education Reform Now Adds Former Obama Administration Official Michael Dannenberg
Washington, D.C., September 9, 2014 – Education Reform Now (ERN), a think tank to DFER and others, announces today the hire of Michael Dannenberg, a former Obama administration staffer and long-time aide to former Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA).
The announcement follows Democrats for Education Reform (DFER)’s recent re-launch of its California chapter, to be newly headed by Green Dot Public Schools founder Steve Barr.
While DFER and Barr fight the education equity war in the trenches, ERN fronted by Dannenberg will develop the next generation of education reform ideas extending beyond the current test-based accountability debate.
“We have to fight those who would turn back the clock on education innovation and equity and at the same time articulate a path forward beyond standards and testing,” said Joe Williams, DFER’s executive director.
“Michael is the kind of pragmatic, thoughtful progressive who has a track record of generating forward-leaning ideas for high-profile, elected Democrats committed to championing quality public education everywhere and over every special interest. We’re thrilled he’s joining Ed Reform Now.”
“The education equity and reform movement is at an inflection point,” said Dannenberg. “Academic and political gains continue, but have slowed in rate of growth. Our challenge is to develop a new, compelling detailed vision for equity and opportunity that extends beyond common core, teacher evaluation, and more of the same in education. I can’t wait to help get that process started.”
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