Educationfifty.com Provides Public with Critical Analysis

CER Press Release
Washington, D.C.
October 8, 2014

Education50, launched today by The Center for Education Reform (CER) is an interactive web-based voter’s guide designed to empower the public with information to sort through the campaign rhetoric when it comes to education reform issues like charter schools, school choice and teacher quality.

“With 36 gubernatorial races this November, and growing impatience with state elected leaders when it comes to education issues, it is important that the American public have a tool to determine whether those seeking to be the next chief executive of their state are truly committed to ensuring better student outcomes or merely paying lip-service to maintain business as usual,” said Kara Kerwin, president of The Center for Education Reform (CER).

According to a recent survey conducted by CER in launching its Campaign for Education Reform in advance of the 2014 mid-term elections, 86 percent of Americans support greater accountability in our schools. Additionally, two-thirds (65 percent) rate their state elected officials as “fair” or “poor” when it comes to education issues.

“Too few of our modern-day state leaders appreciate the absolute role they must play in bringing about substantive change in America’s schools. Bold reforms were once a result of strong governors who knew it was their job to educate their colleagues in the legislatures and convene deep discussions, often putting partisanship aside,” Kerwin stated. “It’s as if there’s been a retreat from that kind of leadership and governance, and in 2014 it’s critical that we keep education reform front and center.”

In addition to the gubernatorial races, Education50 provides data on all 50 governors and those candidates seeking the mayor’s office in the District of Columbia. Education50 provides toolkits like “How to Spot the Real Reformer”, addressing many hot topics from the Common Core and standards to funding and curriculum, and also has tools to access state-specific data and stats.

“At a time when fewer than 40 percent of our nation’s eighth graders can read, add and subtract at basic proficiency, we must resolve to make education the most important issue when we head to the polls this November and elect governors who have a real sense of urgency when it comes to our schools,” Kerwin continued.