Chalkbeat Colorado | Melanie Asmar “Results show 82% of teachers at traditional schools and 67% of teachers at innovation schools who answered the survey either strongly or somewhat support the proposal.” A recent survey was presented by the schools board to limit schools’ autonomy and strengthen job protection for teachers. Asmar discusses the results of…
Advocates Want Colorado to Translate All Non-English Public Comment
Chalkbeat Colorado | Yesenia Robles “All voices, no matter the language spoken, are important during the process of deciding the fate of a family’s school; in particular when there is possibility of a school closure.” Robles discusses the ongoing issue of public comments made by the Colorado Department of Education only being submitted in English…
Colorado is Reshaping Early Childhood. Some School Districts Are Nervous
Chalkbeat Colorado | Ann Schimke “There’s a lot of reimagining of the early childhood system to make it child-, family-, and provider-focused and break down those silos, and that requires significant statutory change.” Colorado’s early childhood landscape could reshape and change as a result of lawmakers taking up legislation in preparation of launching free universal…
How Colorado Plans to Bring Back School Ratings After Pandemic Disruptions
Chalkbeat Colorado | Erica Meltzer “Supporters of test-based accountability have said test data and school ratings provide critical information that can drive spending decisions at the state and local level.” The plan to resume issuing ratings of schools and districts this year, after a two-year pandemic pause, was unanimously approved in the Senate Education Committee…
Ballot Measure Would Steer Part of TABOR Tax Refunds to Colorado Schools
Chalkbeat Colorado | Erica Meltzer “The new proposal would reduce the amount available for refunds, but taxpayers would still get money back in boom years.” Meltzer discusses an initiative placed on the November ballot that could generate between $820 million and $1.1 billion for K-12 schools without raising taxes. This is the fifth attempt in…
How to Help Colorado Student Teachers Across the Finish Line? Pay Them.
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…
