How Education Opportunity Fared on Election Day
WASHINGTON, DC — The Center for Education Reform (CER), the nation’s most senior advocate and pioneer for expanding educational opportunities so that all may achieve the American dream, analyzed Tuesday’s results through the prism of education innovation and opportunity.
The Center’s EDlection Roundup provides analysis on races up and down the ballots, including:
The White House: Jeanne Allen, Founder and CEO of The Center for Education Reform (CER), today congratulated Donald Trump on his victory and called on the president-elect to unite the nation’s families and communities around improving education through innovation and opportunity. More here.
Governors: Out of the 12 states holding gubernatorial elections, 5 states so far will be inaugurating governors with passing grades on parent power. (The North Carolina gubernatorial race has not been decided yet). Those states are: Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, Utah, and Vermont. They join 31 states currently led by Governors earning a grade of A, B, or C when it comes to parent power and innovation. Is your state one of them? See our governor grades at Education50.
Senate Races: It was an exciting night for parent power and innovation in the US Senate. Some highlights include:
- Alabama: Richard Shelby, a DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (DC OSP) supporter and opportunity supporter, won his senate seat.
- Arizona: John McCain, who earned straight A’s from CER for his strong support of education reform, won back his seat.
- Colorado: Michael Bennet gets high marks from us for expanding opportunity through the Quality Schools Act.
- Florida: Marco Rubio’s senate win is a win for parents given his strong track record and commitment to school choice and charter schools.
- Georgia: Johnny Isakson has been a vocal supporter of charter schools and earned high marks from CER.
- Indiana: Todd Young, who took the win, has voted in support of pro-charter school legislation and the DC OSP.
- Iowa: Chuck Grassley has been a vocal supporter of choice and opportunity for all children.
- Kentucky: Rand Paul, a strong supporter of charter schools and opportunity, won his senate seat.
- North Carolina: Richard Burr, who voted in support of the DC OSP and who is, in general, a vocal supporter of charter schools and opportunity, won his seat.
- South Carolina: Tim Scott, an unabashed supporter of school choice who is on record supporting the DC OSP, was re-elected.
Ballot Initiatives: It was a disappointing night for ballot initiatives. Ballot measures that would’ve most notably made a mark on expanding opportunity – charter school expansion in Massachusetts and takeover of failing schools via an Opportunity School District in Georgia – were defeated.
Superintendents: Of the 13 states that elect their state education chiefs, five held elections this year. Notable victories for parent power occurred in North Carolina and Indiana. In the Tarheel State, newcomer Mark Johnson’s win signals a fresh perspective on expanding opportunity. In the Hoosier State, Jennifer McCormick defeated incumbent Glenda Ritz, who has a clear record against parent power, leading the fight against the state’s school voucher program.
More: Founder and CEO of The Center Jeanne Allen is available for in-depth commentary on education results. To set up an interview, contact Michelle Tigani at (202) 750-0016 or [email protected].
About the Center for Education Reform
Founded in 1993, the Center for Education Reform aims to expand educational opportunities that lead to improved economic outcomes for all Americans — particularly our youth — ensuring that the conditions are ripe for innovation, freedom and flexibility throughout U.S. education.
