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Learning Curve

An expert and a mom discuss the state of education in Colorado. This engaging videocast features Ross Izard, an education policy expert and Erin Brantley, a mom who is passionate about education policy.

Homeschooling, private schools, public schools… we cover it all!

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Ep 14: Colorado's 2026 legislative session ended in a whirlwind of late-night amendments, suspended rules, and major questions about the future of homeschool enrichment programs and part-time student funding in Colorado. In this episode of Learning Curve, Ross Izzard and Aaron Brantley break down what happened during the final days of the session, why lawmakers made significant changes at the last minute, and what those changes could mean for homeschool families across the state. The discussion explores new restrictions on homeschool enrichment programs, changes affecting district and charter participation, grandfathering provisions for existing programs, and the unanswered questions that remain as the Colorado Department of Education begins the rulemaking process. Parents, educators, and program leaders are now left trying to navigate a rapidly changing landscape with enrollment decisions already underway and many key details still unresolved. Topics covered: • Last-minute amendments to the School Finance Act • Homeschool enrichment program funding • District boundary restrictions • Charter school and BOCES participation • Grandfathering provisions for existing programs • Upcoming rulemaking by the Colorado Department of Education • What families should expect moving forward While the legislative session may be over, the debate is far from settled. With additional rulemaking, possible legal challenges, and future legislative action on the horizon, this conversation is only beginning. Subscribe to Learning Curve for weekly discussions on education policy, school choice, homeschooling, charter schools, and the issues shaping the future of education in Colorado. #ColoradoEducation #Homeschooling #SchoolChoice #EducationPolicy #LearningCurve #ColoradoLegislature #SchoolFinance #CharterSchools #HomeschoolFamilies #ColoradoSchools
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Chaos At The End Of Session

Ep 13. Parents play a critical role in shaping their children's education, but what happens when they feel their voices are no longer being heard? In this episode of Learning Curve, we take a closer look at the growing controversy surrounding Jefferson County Public Schools, the resignation of Superintendent Tracy Dorland, and the grassroots parent movement that has emerged in response. From concerns over leadership and accountability to questions about student safety and district governance, this conversation explores how a small group of engaged parents can influence decisions at the highest levels of a school district. We also discuss the role parent coalitions can play in shaping future education policy, why local involvement matters, and how community advocacy often becomes the starting point for larger legislative conversations. Whether you're a parent, educator, taxpayer, or simply interested in how public education works, this episode offers an important look at the power of civic engagement and what happens when ordinary people decide to get involved. 🎙️ Topics Covered: • Jeffco school district controversies • Superintendent Tracy Dorland's resignation • Parent advocacy and grassroots organizing • The rise of Jeffco Kids First • School governance and accountability • How local issues can influence state policy • The future of education conversations in Colorado What do you think? Can a small group of parents create meaningful change in a large school district? Let us know in the comments. #Colorado #Education #Jeffco #JeffcoSchools #SchoolBoard #ParentsRights #EducationPolicy #LearningCurve #ColoradoPolitics #ParentAdvocacy #SchoolChoice #CommunityEngagement #PublicEducation #ColoradoNews #JeffersonCounty
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Parents Are Done Being Ignored

Ep:12 Colorado lawmakers are debating major changes to homeschool enrichment and school choice programs, and thousands of families could be affected. Should public education funding support things like sports, outdoor education, ski programs, and extracurricular enrichment? Or should those programs face cuts during a budget crisis? In this episode of Learning Curve, Ross Izzard and Aaron Brantley break down: -The fight over homeschool enrichment funding -Why lawmakers are considering new restrictions? -What a “moratorium” on certain programs could mean -How this could impact 20,000–30,000 Colorado students? -The growing debate around school choice in Colorado Whether you’re a parent, educator, homeschool family, or just trying to understand what’s happening at the Capitol, this conversation explains the real-world impact behind the headlines. Subscribe for weekly conversations on Colorado education, policy, parenting, and the future of learning. #Colorado #SchoolChoice #Homeschooling #Education #Politics #LearningCurve #ColoradoPolitics #Parenting #EducationPolicy
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Where Should Education Dollars Go?

Ep11: Why do two kids in the same school district have completely different learning experiences? In this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley and Ross Izard break down the major teaching models shaping Colorado schools ,including STEM, Core Knowledge, traditional public schools, and project-based learning. They explain how curriculum, teaching styles, and school models impact student success, why school choice matters, and how parents can better advocate for their children by understanding how schools actually teach. The conversation also dives into Colorado’s READ Act, literacy standards, charter school flexibility, and why parental involvement is still one of the biggest factors in a child’s education. Whether you're a parent navigating school options or simply curious about how education works behind the scenes, this episode offers practical insight into the systems shaping student outcomes. Topics Covered: -STEM vs Core Knowledge schools -Traditional public school teaching models -Charter schools and school choice in Colorado -The READ Act and literacy requirements -Direct instruction vs project-based learning -Why teaching methods matter for different learners -How parents can evaluate schools effectively 📩 Have questions or episode ideas? Email: info@learningcurveco.org 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on education, policy, parenting, and school choice. #Education #SchoolChoice #Parenting #ColoradoSchools #STEMEducation #CoreKnowledge #CharterSchools #LearningCurvePodcast
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A Better Way For Kids

Ep 10: Colorado’s universal preschool program was designed to expand access for families, but it’s now headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. In this episode of Learning Curve, we break down the legal battle behind Colorado’s UPK program, why faith-based schools pushed back, and how this case could reshape the future of education policy nationwide. At the center of it all: a major constitutional question about religious freedom, and whether the state knowingly walked into a legal fight. 🔑 WHAT WE COVER -What Colorado’s universal preschool (UPK) program actually does? -Why many private and faith-based schools opted out? -The legal conflict over anti-discrimination requirements -Key Supreme Court precedents already in play -Why this case is now heading to the U.S. Supreme Court? -What happens next, and who is likely to win? ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Intro 0:45 – What is universal preschool (UPK)? 2:00 – Why schools started opting out 3:30 – “This is already settled law” 5:05 – Inside the meeting: “come at me, bro” 6:10 – The lawsuits explained 7:00 – Why the state is likely to lose 8:15 – Final thoughts & what’s next 💬 KEY MOMENT “They knew this would result in litigation… and the response was ‘come at me, bro.’” 🔔 SUBSCRIBE / CTA If you’re interested in education policy, law, and the real-world impact on families, make sure to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications. 📩 CONTACT Questions or topics you want us to cover? 📧 info@learningcurveco.org 🏷️ HASHTAGS #EducationPolicy #SupremeCourt #UniversalPreschool #FirstAmendment #SchoolChoice #UPK #Colorado
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They Wanted A Lawsuit.

Ep. 09 "Where is all the school money actually going?" Over the past decade, education spending in Colorado has increased dramatically, with even more funding added during COVID. But student outcomes haven’t improved at the same pace. So what’s really happening? In this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley and Ross Izard break down the growing disconnect between rising education budgets and stagnant student performance. They explore how billions of dollars flow through the system, why accountability is so difficult to measure, and whether more funding actually leads to better results. From hidden funding streams to rising administrative costs, this conversation digs into one of the biggest questions parents and taxpayers are asking right now. 👉 If money isn’t the answer… what is? Topics covered: -Rising per-pupil spending in Colorado -Why test scores aren’t improving? -The complexity of school funding formulas -Where education dollars actually go? -Administrative growth vs classroom investment -The transparency problem in public education -Potential solutions for better outcomes Want to see where the money actually goes as Ross mentioned? Follow the Links Below: 📊 Full Colorado Education Financial Data: https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdefinance/financialdatafiles 📈 School Finance Transparency Dashboard: https://co.schoolfinancedata.org 👍 Like, subscribe, and follow for more breakdowns on education policy and reform.
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Where Did The Money Go?

Ep 08 Are charter schools private schools? Do families have to pay tuition? And who actually gets to attend them? Charter schools are often misunderstood, and in this episode of Learning Curve, Ross Izard and Aaron Brantley break down one of the biggest misconceptions in public education: charter schools are public schools. They are publicly funded, tuition-free, and open to all students. But because they operate differently from traditional neighborhood schools, many families still assume they are private, selective, or only available to certain students. In this conversation, Ross and Aaron explain what charter schools are, how they fit into the public education system, why they were created, and how communities or parents can start one. They also discuss why charter schools are designed to offer more flexibility and innovation inside the public school system. This episode covers: -Why charter schools are not private schools? -Whether families pay tuition to attend? -How charter schools are funded? -Why they are considered public schools? -How charter schools differ from traditional district schools? -Who governs charter schools? -Why parents and communities start them? -What the charter application process looks like? -Why charter schools were designed as spaces for innovation? -Common misconceptions about school choice -Whether you are a parent, educator, policymaker, or just someone trying to understand how public education works, this episode offers a clear explanation of a topic that is often debated but rarely explained simply. Watch to learn why charter schools may not work the way you think they do. Suggested timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 How common charter schools are in Colorado 01:05 The biggest misconception about charter schools 02:00 Do charter schools charge tuition? 02:45 How charter schools are governed 03:20 Why charter schools were created 03:40 Can parents start a charter school? 04:20 Why starting one is harder than people think Subscribe to Learning Curve for clear conversations about education, policy, schools, and the systems shaping families and students. #CharterSchools #PublicSchools #Education #SchoolChoice #LearningCurve
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Charter Schools Aren’t Private?!

Ep 07: Don’t Stay Confused: Who Decides What Kids Learn? 🧠 EPISODE SUMMARY Who actually decides what your child learns in school? In this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley and Ross Izzard break down the complex (and often confusing) system behind education in Colorado. From state standards to local control, they explain the difference between standards vs. curriculum, who influences each level, and where parents actually have a voice. If you’ve ever wondered why your child is learning certain topics, or felt unsure how to get involved, this episode gives you a clear starting point. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS Standards vs. Curriculum: -The state sets standards (what students should learn), but districts choose the curriculum (how it’s taught). Who Really Has Influence: -Decision-making spans multiple levels—federal government, state board of education, local districts, and even outside interest groups. It’s More Political Than You Think: -What gets taught in classrooms is often shaped by competing ideologies, policies, and advocacy efforts. Public Education Isn’t Fully “Public”: -Many classroom materials (books, tech, tools) are created by private, for-profit companies. Local Control Matters Most: -School districts ultimately decide curriculum and instruction within state guidelines. Where Parents Can Take Action: -Local school boards, teachers, and district leaders are the most direct way to influence your child’s education. 🏛️ TOPICS COVERED Colorado Academic Standards explained The role of the State Board of Education Federal influence on education funding How curriculum is chosen at the district level The role of advocacy groups and private companies School accountability and testing systems Why school board elections matter 📍 HOW PARENTS CAN GET INVOLVED Attend local school board meetings Stay informed on curriculum decisions Participate in public comment opportunities Pay attention to school board and state board elections Communicate with teachers and school leaders ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Introduction 01:10 – Why this topic is so confusing 02:45 – The politics behind education 04:10 – Who sets the standards? 06:30 – Federal vs. state influence 08:45 – How standards are reviewed and updated 11:30 – Local control and curriculum decisions 14:30 – Accountability, testing, and performance 18:00 – Where parents actually have influence 20:30 – Why school board elections matter 22:00 – Final thoughts 📢 CALL TO ACTION If you found this episode helpful: 👍 Like & Subscribe 💬 Leave a comment with your thoughts or questions 📩 Email us at: info@learningcurveco.org
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Don't Stay Confused

Ep. 06: Colorado’s budget crisis just got worse, and the consequences are coming fast. In this episode of Learning Curve, Ross Izzard and Aaron Brantley break down what a $1.5 billion budget deficit actually means for families, schools, and taxpayers. From potential education cuts to political gridlock, they walk through what’s happening behind the scenes at the Capitol, and why your voice matters more than you think. You’ll learn: -Why the deficit grew from $1B to $1.5B -What programs (like homeschool enrichment) are on the chopping block -How the legislative process really works (and where bills get stuck) -Why some lawmakers want to raise revenue instead of cutting spending -How public pressure already stopped one proposal, and can again -This isn’t just politics, it’s decisions that directly impact your family, your taxes, and your future. 👉 If you’ve ever wondered whether speaking up actually makes a difference… this episode answers that question. Stay informed. Stay involved. Make your voice heard.
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Your Voice Matters More Than You Think

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