Chalkbeat Colorado | Erica Meltzer “House Bill 1220 would provide stipends to student teachers, who currently have to work for free while still paying tuition, and would provide alternative ways to prove mastery of teacher training requirements.” The House of Education Committee approved House Bill 1220 in early March, which would provide teacher candidates a…
Despite Pushback, Colorado Will Enforce K-3 Teacher Training on Reading as Planned
Chalkbeat Colorado | Ann Schimke “A number of Colorado superintendents, along with groups representing district leaders and school boards, recently raised concerns about the data being collected on the K-3 teacher training.” The State Board of Education members in Colorado have agreed that schools districts should be able to handle the August deadline for early…
Child Care Worker Shortage Strands Half a Million Families
CNN Business | Alicia Wallace “While the child care and early education industry need more workers, some significant barriers persist, notably low pay and health risks associated with the ongoing pandemic.” The shortage of child care staff workers is ongoing as the pandemic has led to parents continuing to stay home or work in a…
Colorado Legislature at the Halfway Mark: Where Education Bills Stand
Chalkbeat Colorado | Jason Gonzales & Erica Meltzer “With the state flush with cash, Colorado lawmakers could address chronic underfunding of schools and set the stage for more school finance reforms.” Colorado lawmakers made it to the halfway mark of the legislation session last weekend, with plenty of work still to be done. Gonzales and…
Free School Meals for All? Colorado Lawmakers Want to Make That a Reality
Chalkbeat Colorado | Jason Gonzales “This is an incredible opportunity for our kids to continue to get access to meals and not have to worry about whether or not their families can afford it.” Gonzales discusses the pros and cons of the newly proposed Senate Bill 87 that would provide universal free lunch across Colorado…
New Teachers Need Experienced Mentors
Chalkbeat Colorado | Madison Stockton “My experience highlights that new teachers need strong mentors — especially now, given the chronic uncertainty COVID has unleashed.” Stockton explains how her personal teaching experience and the lack of resources given to her mentor teacher has proved that new teachers need strong mentors in order to succeed. She also…
Inside Colorado’s Kindergarten Enrollment Rebound: Simple Numbers, Complicated Stories
Chalkbeat Colorado | Ann Schimke “The rebound hasn’t restored statewide kindergarten enrollment to pre-pandemic levels, but the trend line is positive.” The second year of the pandemic saw many young students returning to public schools. Schimke explores the rise and decline of both kindergarten and first grade enrollment, and the factors causing these enrollment rates…
The Stigma is Winning: Parents Strain to Juggle Jobs and Their Kids’ Mental Health
The Washington Post | Erin Blakemore “New research suggests that a greater number of working parents have children with mental health challenges than previously known — and that their work lives are profoundly affected by the demands of children in crisis.” Blakemore explores the many difficulties that parents of children with mental health challenges have…
Denver Public Schools Turns to Federal COVID-19 Relief Money to Avoid Layoffs
The Denver Post | Jessica Seaman “DPS, the state’s largest school district, is facing funding cuts as enrollment in schools is expected to decline in the coming years.” Seaman discusses the continued decline in enrollment at Denver Public Schools, ultimately leading to funding cuts across the district and the need for use of the COVID-19…
More Students Attend Colorado Charter Schools, But Access Still Isn’t Equal
Chalkbeat Colorado | Erica Meltzer “Colorado charter schools serve a lower percentage of students with disabilities than do district-run schools — or charter schools in other states.” Many parents have explored whether or not to send their children to district schools or charter schools throughout the pandemic. Meltzer discusses the difference between the two types…
