Education Talk at the Democratic National Convention

Education reform—with a strong focus on school choice—took up a large portion of the Republican National Convention last week.  And as the Democratic National Convention rolls on this week, it looks like education reform will also play a significant role.

Among the highlights is the new Hollywood film “Won’t Back Down,” which is being played at the Convention to the support of many.  The film, which tells a fictional story of a low-income mother and teacher working to take over a failing public school—called parent trigger laws—was also shown at the GOP Convention to much praise.

But that won’t be the only similarity when it comes to education reform between the two party’s conventions.  For one, school choice supporters will appear at both conventions.

We already told you about Condoleezza Rice’s inspiring speech and Jeb Bush’s education-focused address.  For the Democrats, we already heard from Newark Mayor Cory Booker, a strong supporter of educational options and the New Jersey Opportunity Scholarship Act. Said Booker last night:

And you should be able to give your children the kind of education that allows them to dream even bigger, go even farther and accomplish even more than you could ever imagine.

Other supporters of educational options slated to speak: Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and Senate candidate from Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren, who reportedly called for school vouchers.

Here's a video from a town hall hosted this week by our friends at Democrats for Education Reform:

- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MSG