In this latest episode of How To Really Run A City, former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed talk to education reformer and former Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza on what students really need … now.

Once upon a time, Democrats were the party trusted with directing education in America. But, as Democrats for Education Reform Executive Director Jorge Elorza says, that ended in the waning days of the Obama administration. Now? Democrats have lost the language, ideas, policy and vision around education.

This does create an opportunity moving forward. “We’re no longer just armed with the policy case or the moral case for reform, there’s also political self-interest,” he says.

Elorza is a former Providence, Rhode Island, mayor inspired to go into politics to ensure other children had the same educational opportunities he had, as the child of immigrants looking for American success. He's now on a mission to help design an education system that is innovative, accountable and offers choice.