DEMOCRATS FOR EDUCATION REFORM

Today as hundreds of parents travel to Beacon Hill from around the state to press legislators to raise the cap on charter schools, Democrats for Education Reform, a national advocacy group, is releasing its scorecard on which Massachusetts legislators have supported the education reform agenda of President Obama. 

As Beacon Hill grapples with Governor Patrick's push for more revenue for education, DFER is shining a light on the need to spend that money on real educational improvements for K-12.

“As Massachusetts Democrats consider additional investments in education, we must look to the Obama education agenda for policies focused on improving student outcomes,” said Liam Kerr, Massachusetts director of Democrats for Education Reform.

With Patrick's proposals to add $3 billion in education spending over the next decade, Democrats should remember what the 2010 federal Race to the Top reforms accomplished with a tenth of that investment - including high-performing charter schools and additional assistance for turning around low-performing schools, Kerr said.

“Obama focused on overcoming resistance from those in his own party who would in his words “defend the indefensible status quo,” Kerr said. “Additional revenue in the Obama model is spent only on reforms that raise student achievement. Massachusetts Democrats should follow the President and do the same."

The scorecard is based on how legislators voted in 2010 on ed reform legislation and how they have weighed in on Obama policies that have encouraged significant reforms on the district level.

As Governor Deval Patrick demands more revenue to improve funding for education, Democrats must find ways to avoid the failures of the past to lead on education reform, Kerr said.