Denise Forte
@deniseedtrust.bsky.social
President & CEO of EdTrust, a mom, a Blue Devil, a fierce advocate for education equity.
Meeting the Moment: EdTrust in MA released a new brief on the state of math instruction.
Districts must adopt high-quality math curricula across districts and increase the availability of well-prepared educators who can deliver rigorous, grade-level instruction.
https://edtru.st/4rZESeB
Districts must adopt high-quality math curricula across districts and increase the availability of well-prepared educators who can deliver rigorous, grade-level instruction.
https://edtru.st/4rZESeB
The State of Math Instruction: Equity, Access, and Outcomes
This research brief illuminates two foundational pillars of effective math education in Massachusetts: the adoption and implementation of high-quality math curricula, and the availability of educators...
edtru.st
December 18, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Meeting the Moment: EdTrust in MA released a new brief on the state of math instruction.
Districts must adopt high-quality math curricula across districts and increase the availability of well-prepared educators who can deliver rigorous, grade-level instruction.
https://edtru.st/4rZESeB
Districts must adopt high-quality math curricula across districts and increase the availability of well-prepared educators who can deliver rigorous, grade-level instruction.
https://edtru.st/4rZESeB
Diverse teacher workforces = improved test scores, fewer absences, higher graduation and college enrollment rates, and increased student-teacher trust.
EdTrust-Midwest met the moment with a new report showing a path forward to build a strong and diverse teacher workforce.
https://edtru.st/49cT9Nv
EdTrust-Midwest met the moment with a new report showing a path forward to build a strong and diverse teacher workforce.
https://edtru.st/49cT9Nv
Hope and Hard Work Ahead: Building a Strong and Diverse Teacher Workforce for Michigan’s Students - The Education Trust - Midwest
SummaryEvery Michigan student deserves access to a strong and diverse teacher workforce. And all teachers should be highly-trained and…
midwest.edtrust.org
December 17, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Diverse teacher workforces = improved test scores, fewer absences, higher graduation and college enrollment rates, and increased student-teacher trust.
EdTrust-Midwest met the moment with a new report showing a path forward to build a strong and diverse teacher workforce.
https://edtru.st/49cT9Nv
EdTrust-Midwest met the moment with a new report showing a path forward to build a strong and diverse teacher workforce.
https://edtru.st/49cT9Nv
I had the privilege to testify before Sen. Hirono’s forum on illegal efforts to dismantle the Department of Education.
Stripping students of civil rights, destabilizing millions of student borrowers, and pushing privatization must be stopped.
https://edtru.st/4pIzYAU
Stripping students of civil rights, destabilizing millions of student borrowers, and pushing privatization must be stopped.
https://edtru.st/4pIzYAU
Dismantling Education: What the Trump Administration’s Illegal Attacks on Federal Programs Mean for Students, Families, and Educators
EdTrust President and CEO Denise Forte provided testimony in a Senate spotlight forum on the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education
edtrust.org
December 17, 2025 at 3:25 PM
I had the privilege to testify before Sen. Hirono’s forum on illegal efforts to dismantle the Department of Education.
Stripping students of civil rights, destabilizing millions of student borrowers, and pushing privatization must be stopped.
https://edtru.st/4pIzYAU
Stripping students of civil rights, destabilizing millions of student borrowers, and pushing privatization must be stopped.
https://edtru.st/4pIzYAU
EdTrust’s Qubilah Huddleston: “For the states that have recently universalized, like Texas and Tennessee and other states that could soon see vouchers as a result of the federal program, they need to view Florida as a cautionary tale of what happened.”
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
How Florida lost track of 30,000 students, a ‘cautionary tale’ for vouchers
The state’s auditor general found “a myriad of accountability problems” in the nation’s largest voucher program.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:37 PM
EdTrust’s Qubilah Huddleston: “For the states that have recently universalized, like Texas and Tennessee and other states that could soon see vouchers as a result of the federal program, they need to view Florida as a cautionary tale of what happened.”
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to help the Data Quality Campaign (DQC) celebrate 20 years of supporting educational equity through data.
EdTrust's vital partnership with DQC makes sure every student is seen and that we use data to drive transformational change for all the students we serve.
EdTrust's vital partnership with DQC makes sure every student is seen and that we use data to drive transformational change for all the students we serve.
December 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to help the Data Quality Campaign (DQC) celebrate 20 years of supporting educational equity through data.
EdTrust's vital partnership with DQC makes sure every student is seen and that we use data to drive transformational change for all the students we serve.
EdTrust's vital partnership with DQC makes sure every student is seen and that we use data to drive transformational change for all the students we serve.
I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to partner with The Century Foundation's Angela Hanks to explain the latest steps to dismantle the Department of Education and the risks to higher education.
https://edtru.st/4a9Pm4v
https://edtru.st/4a9Pm4v
Trump's Plan for ED Is Chaotic, Not Efficient (opinion)
The Department of Labor is not prepared or equipped to take over key postsecondary programs.
www.insidehighered.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:13 PM
I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to partner with The Century Foundation's Angela Hanks to explain the latest steps to dismantle the Department of Education and the risks to higher education.
https://edtru.st/4a9Pm4v
https://edtru.st/4a9Pm4v
Sometimes you see something that you just know cannot be true. That is the case of a recent poll that suggested teachers want the type of whitewashed “patriotic education” being pushed by the Trump administration.
https://edtru.st/48GJBZD
https://edtru.st/48GJBZD
Reported Support of “Patriotic Education” By Teachers Needs More Investigation
An EdWeek article cites flawed research on what type of history teachers, parents, and Americans want their children to learn
edtrust.org
December 10, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Sometimes you see something that you just know cannot be true. That is the case of a recent poll that suggested teachers want the type of whitewashed “patriotic education” being pushed by the Trump administration.
https://edtru.st/48GJBZD
https://edtru.st/48GJBZD
One-in-five of college students are parents and disproportionately women, Black, Latino, first-generation, and from low-income backgrounds.
Congress must reauthorize CCAMPIS to make sure every student parent has the chance to succeed in school.
https://edtru.st/3KMN2WO
Congress must reauthorize CCAMPIS to make sure every student parent has the chance to succeed in school.
https://edtru.st/3KMN2WO
December 9, 2025 at 6:35 PM
One-in-five of college students are parents and disproportionately women, Black, Latino, first-generation, and from low-income backgrounds.
Congress must reauthorize CCAMPIS to make sure every student parent has the chance to succeed in school.
https://edtru.st/3KMN2WO
Congress must reauthorize CCAMPIS to make sure every student parent has the chance to succeed in school.
https://edtru.st/3KMN2WO
Arizona is a flashing red warning sign that vouchers are not a golden ticket to opportunity for all.
• Per pupil funding that rates 49th in the country.
• The 2nd most crowded class sizes in the country.
• A teacher retention crisis.
• The 2nd worst student-to-counselor ratio in the country.
• Per pupil funding that rates 49th in the country.
• The 2nd most crowded class sizes in the country.
• A teacher retention crisis.
• The 2nd worst student-to-counselor ratio in the country.
December 8, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Arizona is a flashing red warning sign that vouchers are not a golden ticket to opportunity for all.
• Per pupil funding that rates 49th in the country.
• The 2nd most crowded class sizes in the country.
• A teacher retention crisis.
• The 2nd worst student-to-counselor ratio in the country.
• Per pupil funding that rates 49th in the country.
• The 2nd most crowded class sizes in the country.
• A teacher retention crisis.
• The 2nd worst student-to-counselor ratio in the country.
Please read Allison Socol's blog for the anniversary of IDEA.
"Those of us who believe that a just society is one that includes full participation of all people must fight to keep the promise we made 50 years ago to students with disabilities and their families."
https://edtru.st/4rewM1b
"Those of us who believe that a just society is one that includes full participation of all people must fight to keep the promise we made 50 years ago to students with disabilities and their families."
https://edtru.st/4rewM1b
Remembering IDEA — and Fighting to Keep its Promise to Students with Disabilities
EdTrust marks the 50th anniversary of IDEA, which guaranteed millions of students with disabilities the right to education and the services they need to learn
edtrust.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Please read Allison Socol's blog for the anniversary of IDEA.
"Those of us who believe that a just society is one that includes full participation of all people must fight to keep the promise we made 50 years ago to students with disabilities and their families."
https://edtru.st/4rewM1b
"Those of us who believe that a just society is one that includes full participation of all people must fight to keep the promise we made 50 years ago to students with disabilities and their families."
https://edtru.st/4rewM1b
For Day 4 of our recognition of IDEA, I want to celebrate special education teachers, as well as general educators broadly, for the critical role they serve. A high-quality educator is essential for delivering the targeted supports and resources each student needs.
https://edtru.st/3ELYzCA
https://edtru.st/3ELYzCA
Preparing Inclusive Classrooms for Success
As inclusion grows within our classrooms, policymakers must better equip general education teachers while also increasing retention of special education teachers
edtrust.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:07 PM
For Day 4 of our recognition of IDEA, I want to celebrate special education teachers, as well as general educators broadly, for the critical role they serve. A high-quality educator is essential for delivering the targeted supports and resources each student needs.
https://edtru.st/3ELYzCA
https://edtru.st/3ELYzCA
For Day 3 of our recognition of IDEA, I want to highlight how discipline systems continue to fail to support students with disabilities by perpetuating bias, neglecting legal mandates, and relying on punitive measures.
https://edtru.st/4kkkWiP
https://edtru.st/4kkkWiP
Unfair Punishments: How School Discipline Disproportionately Targets Students with Disabilities
The failure of discipline systems violates the rights of students with disabilities and leads to injustices in education outcomes
edtru.st
November 19, 2025 at 5:06 PM
For Day 3 of our recognition of IDEA, I want to highlight how discipline systems continue to fail to support students with disabilities by perpetuating bias, neglecting legal mandates, and relying on punitive measures.
https://edtru.st/4kkkWiP
https://edtru.st/4kkkWiP
Meeting the Moment: Today our own Wil Del Pilar, Ph.D., testified before the House’s Committee on Education & Workforce on The Future of College: Harnessing Innovation to Improve Outcomes and Lower Costs.
https://edtru.st/4i7DPVm
https://edtru.st/4i7DPVm
November 18, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Meeting the Moment: Today our own Wil Del Pilar, Ph.D., testified before the House’s Committee on Education & Workforce on The Future of College: Harnessing Innovation to Improve Outcomes and Lower Costs.
https://edtru.st/4i7DPVm
https://edtru.st/4i7DPVm
Today, the Trump administration began the process of selling off the Department of Education for parts...The law is clear: only Congress can dismantle the Department of Education.
https://edtrust.org/press-room/dismantling-of-the-department-of-education-fails-students/
https://edtrust.org/press-room/dismantling-of-the-department-of-education-fails-students/
November 18, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Today, the Trump administration began the process of selling off the Department of Education for parts...The law is clear: only Congress can dismantle the Department of Education.
https://edtrust.org/press-room/dismantling-of-the-department-of-education-fails-students/
https://edtrust.org/press-room/dismantling-of-the-department-of-education-fails-students/
Since it became law, IDEA has significantly reduced chronic absenteeism among students with disabilities and, more generally, brought more students with disabilities into public education. But more must be done.
https://edtrust.org/blog/how-educators-can-support-chronically-absent-students/
https://edtrust.org/blog/how-educators-can-support-chronically-absent-students/
How Educators Can Support Chronically Absent Students
About 16 million students are chronically absent — these rates are particularly high for students with disabilities and students of color
edtrust.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Since it became law, IDEA has significantly reduced chronic absenteeism among students with disabilities and, more generally, brought more students with disabilities into public education. But more must be done.
https://edtrust.org/blog/how-educators-can-support-chronically-absent-students/
https://edtrust.org/blog/how-educators-can-support-chronically-absent-students/
Sunday, November 29th signifies 50 years of IDEA, the law supporting the rights of students with disabilities. This week I want to highlight the experiences of students with disabilities, and the critical role IDEA plays in delivering essential services and protections.
https://edtru.st/4oOyQvk
https://edtru.st/4oOyQvk
The Power of Perception: A Tale of Two Different Educational Experiences
To address inequities within student discipline, schools must move away from zero-tolerance discipline systems, which are not responsive to students
edtru.st
November 17, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Sunday, November 29th signifies 50 years of IDEA, the law supporting the rights of students with disabilities. This week I want to highlight the experiences of students with disabilities, and the critical role IDEA plays in delivering essential services and protections.
https://edtru.st/4oOyQvk
https://edtru.st/4oOyQvk
State and federal policymakers take note of Thrive Scholars.
By combining academic rigor with personalized college and career guidance and preparation, alongside robust data collection and outcome tracking, we can transform lives and enhance the value of a college degree.
https://edtru.st/3JDuuYG
By combining academic rigor with personalized college and career guidance and preparation, alongside robust data collection and outcome tracking, we can transform lives and enhance the value of a college degree.
https://edtru.st/3JDuuYG
Real Support, Real Success: One Postsecondary Pathway Program That’s Working
Thrive Scholars uses proven interventions to enhance access, persistence, and completion rates for first-generation, under-resourced students.
edtrust.org
November 14, 2025 at 8:50 PM
State and federal policymakers take note of Thrive Scholars.
By combining academic rigor with personalized college and career guidance and preparation, alongside robust data collection and outcome tracking, we can transform lives and enhance the value of a college degree.
https://edtru.st/3JDuuYG
By combining academic rigor with personalized college and career guidance and preparation, alongside robust data collection and outcome tracking, we can transform lives and enhance the value of a college degree.
https://edtru.st/3JDuuYG
At EdTrust, we are encouraged by long overdue congressional action to reopen the government and -- our work continues:
Protecting student civil rights.
Fighting against the Great American Heist.
Advocating for fair school and student funding.
Protecting student civil rights.
Fighting against the Great American Heist.
Advocating for fair school and student funding.
November 13, 2025 at 12:45 PM
At EdTrust, we are encouraged by long overdue congressional action to reopen the government and -- our work continues:
Protecting student civil rights.
Fighting against the Great American Heist.
Advocating for fair school and student funding.
Protecting student civil rights.
Fighting against the Great American Heist.
Advocating for fair school and student funding.
The Trump administration may be turning its backs on students, but states like Illinois are showing a better way forward to build a future where all students — no matter their income or ZIP code — have a real opportunity to access an affordable, high-quality education.
https://edtru.st/3LtpJ4x
https://edtru.st/3LtpJ4x
Illinois steps up where feds fall down in making college affordable
If the federal government refuses to invest in our students, the responsibility — and the opportunity — falls to the states. Illinois is meeting that moment.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:50 PM
The Trump administration may be turning its backs on students, but states like Illinois are showing a better way forward to build a future where all students — no matter their income or ZIP code — have a real opportunity to access an affordable, high-quality education.
https://edtru.st/3LtpJ4x
https://edtru.st/3LtpJ4x
Did you know that 1 in 5 college students is a parent? On our blog, EdTrust published a great interview with a student-parent on the challenges of returning to college, along with suggestions on ways that colleges and programs can better support students like her.
https://edtru.st/3LwtXIl
https://edtru.st/3LwtXIl
Getting To & Through College: Notes From a Student-Parent
A student-parent discusses the challenges of returning to college, including finding reliable and affordable child care, and suggests ways that colleges and programs can better support students like h...
edtrust.org
November 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Did you know that 1 in 5 college students is a parent? On our blog, EdTrust published a great interview with a student-parent on the challenges of returning to college, along with suggestions on ways that colleges and programs can better support students like her.
https://edtru.st/3LwtXIl
https://edtru.st/3LwtXIl
In the midst of this government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Education is launching a two-pronged attack on students with disabilities — putting their rights and access to education at risk.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/N0YoEQQoGR8
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/N0YoEQQoGR8
CEO Conversations: Students with Learning Disabilities
YouTube video by The Education Trust
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:07 PM
In the midst of this government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Education is launching a two-pronged attack on students with disabilities — putting their rights and access to education at risk.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/N0YoEQQoGR8
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/N0YoEQQoGR8
The “One Big Beautiful Bill” is reshaping federal student aid. Students of color will be disproportionately affected – forced into private loans with riskier terms or discouraged from graduate school altogether.
Upcoming rules must ensure student loans remain affordable for all students.
Upcoming rules must ensure student loans remain affordable for all students.
November 5, 2025 at 4:08 PM
The “One Big Beautiful Bill” is reshaping federal student aid. Students of color will be disproportionately affected – forced into private loans with riskier terms or discouraged from graduate school altogether.
Upcoming rules must ensure student loans remain affordable for all students.
Upcoming rules must ensure student loans remain affordable for all students.
High schoolers face an unaffordable and inaccessible higher education landscape. States should make sure students can use financial aid for all higher education-related expenses and that financial aid eligibility reflect the needs of today’s students.
https://edtru.st/3JbHh4l
https://edtru.st/3JbHh4l
An Overview of State Financial Aid in Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota
As federal financial aid shrinks, college access and affordability will hinge on how states distribute student aid and set eligibility requirements. A new EdTrust report examines state financial aid p...
edtrust.org
October 30, 2025 at 3:53 PM
High schoolers face an unaffordable and inaccessible higher education landscape. States should make sure students can use financial aid for all higher education-related expenses and that financial aid eligibility reflect the needs of today’s students.
https://edtru.st/3JbHh4l
https://edtru.st/3JbHh4l
I'm thrilled to highlight the great work of EdTrust to explain the risks state waivers pose to students.
Allowing states to alter assessment systems and hide data on school quality will leave parents and educators without the information they need to support students.
https://edtru.st/4oIqLI1
Allowing states to alter assessment systems and hide data on school quality will leave parents and educators without the information they need to support students.
https://edtru.st/4oIqLI1
Giving States Waivers From Accountability Is a Dangerous Step Backward for Kids
Forte: By loosening testing and reporting requirements, Education Department is denying parents, teachers and policymakers important information.
www.the74million.org
October 27, 2025 at 9:55 PM
I'm thrilled to highlight the great work of EdTrust to explain the risks state waivers pose to students.
Allowing states to alter assessment systems and hide data on school quality will leave parents and educators without the information they need to support students.
https://edtru.st/4oIqLI1
Allowing states to alter assessment systems and hide data on school quality will leave parents and educators without the information they need to support students.
https://edtru.st/4oIqLI1