Org to Build Democratic Leadership Pipeline to Support Ed Equity
AUSTIN, TX (AUGUST 24, 2022) – Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) announced today that the organization will expand to the Lone Star State, launching its newest chapter, DFER Texas, effective immediately.
DFER seeks to elect and support Democratic candidates who embrace accountability and innovation in public education to ensure that every child, particularly students of color and students from low-income backgrounds, receive a high quality education.
This year’s annual Texas state assessment revealed fewer than half of students of color and students from low-income families in grades three through eight are meeting grade-level expectations in math and English. And last week, the state education agency (TEA) released the first accountability rankings since 2019 showing, this year, only 18% of Texas’ lowest income public school campuses received the highest distinction in the accountability rating system.
“The students of Texas deserve education champions who will fight for their futures. With Texas growing its electoral diversity, there is significant opportunity to support Democratic candidates and electeds who will champion education reform policies,” said DFER National President Shavar Jeffries. “Expansion is not a decision we take lightly, and we are confident that DFER is well-positioned to have a real, lasting impact in Texas.”
Opening the chapter is Garry Jones, who will serve as DFER Texas Political Director. Jones brings more than a decade of experience as a strategist working in Texas Democratic politics. He most recently served as a Chief of Staff in the Texas State Senate.
“As a proud Texas Democrat, I’m thrilled to join DFER to grow the pipeline of Democratic elected officials and leaders who are committed to improving educational outcomes for every child, particularly those whom our state has historically underserved,” said Jones.
While DFER’s chapter is new, its presence in Texas is not. Over the past two years, DFER has supported Legacy 44 (L44), a volunteer-led state Political Action Committee (PAC) that invests in Democratic candidates for elected office in Texas who, following in the path of our 44th President Barack Obama, will promote a strong public education system. Together with DFER, L44 supported 23 members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus last cycle and eight state legislators and state board of education members in 2022.
DFER is currently interviewing applicants to fill the Texas State Director position. Interested applicants can learn more here.
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About Democrats for Education Reform
Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is a national political organization that supports elected Democrats and candidates for office who seek to expand policies and practices that increase educational equity for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds. It is a partner organization of Education Reform Now Advocacy, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that supports DFER’s legislative and policy advocacy work. DFER maintains state chapters in Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington, D.C. www.dfer.org.