FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DFER STATEMENT ON BERNIE SANDERS’ MOST RECENT STATEMENT ON CHARTER SCHOOLS
Shavar Jeffries Welcomes Senator Sanders’ Flip to “Yes” on Public Charters
Yesterday, on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders flip-flopped on his prior position and clearly declared his support for public charter schools. In response, DFER President Shavar Jeffries released the following statement:
“We welcome Senator Sanders’ recognition that public charter schools can and do provide essential educational options for students, many of whom do not have other high-quality public options available. Secretary Clinton and Senator Sanders have now both changed their rhetoric in this campaign and joined President Obama in acknowledging that allowing students and families a choice empowers them to find the best opportunity that meets their unique needs. Flatly opposing high-performing public charters would send hundreds of thousands of students back into failing schools and prevent those public charters from helping to lift neighborhood schools by offering new — and proven — ways of educating our children that put results ahead of bureaucracy.”
Sanders Flips on Opposition to Charters
Senator Sanders at Newmarket, NH Town Hall on January 3rd:
“I’m not in favor of privately-run charter schools. If we are going to have a strong democracy and be competitive globally, we need the best educated people in the world. And I believe in public education. I went to public schools my whole life. I think rather than give tax breaks to billionaires, I think we invest in teachers and we invest in public education.”
QUESTION: “So, you support public charter schools?”
SANDERS: “Yes.”