Look Closer at Census Spending Data, Big Picture: Colorado’s K-12 Sky Isn’t Falling
Talk about one of your below-the-fold news stories. Yesterday a Denver Business Journal headline declared: “Colo. near bottom for education spending.” The story references newly-released data from the U.S. Census Bureau, which shows Colorado fell from 36th in per-pupil spending in 2007-08 ($9,079) to 40th in 2008-09 ($8,718).
There is good news, though. The best I […]
Michigan School Board Shows Laudable Commitment to Bargaining Transparency
When it comes to union negotiations, the Traverse City school board in Michigan is showing what many of their Colorado counterparts could learn: Let the Sunshine in! Giving taxpayers the opportunity to observe the bargaining table where school district and union officials hash out tax-funded policies is a great step for public accountability and transparency. Jeffco Public Schools and all Colorado can learn from Traverse City and do better by their citizens.
Education Sector Report Adds Valuable Perspective on Colorado Growth Model
The first time I heard of the Colorado Growth Model, I thought maybe it would be a scientific system to help determine how tall I would grow up to be in our high-altitude environment. No, we’re talking about our state’s system for measuring student progress toward proficiency in math, reading and writing, sorted by district […]
Nevada Teacher Makes Case for Ending LIFO; No More Coin Flips in Colorado?
There are just some silly policies out there in K-12 education. One that has justly received a remarkable amount of attention in recent weeks and months is the issue of “Last In, First Out” (aka LIFO). Thanks to many union bargaining agreements and some state laws, many teachers are able to retain their jobs or […]
What’s Left Unsaid in CTQ Report on Implementing Colorado SB 191
The Center for Teaching Quality recently released a report by 21 Denver-area teachers regarding the implementation of Colorado’s educator effectiveness law (SB 191). The report offers some valuable perspectives and insights, but what they left unsaid may be the most telling of all. For example, how do we go beyond discussions to accomplish the transformation of teaching from the industrial union model to a true professional guild?
5/19/11
Newsletter May 19 2011
D-11 Makes Open Negotiations Progress; Jeffco Board President Defends Secrecy
Finally, some good news on open union negotiations! The Colorado Springs Gazette reports on the latest developments from School District 11:
The board voted unanimously on a resolution detailing changes to the Master Agreement, including opening all steps of negotiations dealing with financial articles and at least some portions of other negotiations. Additional sessions could be […]
Please Ask First Before Using Students as Props for a Statewide Tax Hike
Perhaps you saw this week’s news that Colorado state senator Rollie Heath and several advocacy groups are “pushing ahead” with a proposal that would take more from wage-earners, investors and consumers all over the state to finance K-12 and higher education:
The plan would raise state personal and corporate income tax rates to 5 percent from […]
Another “Win-Win” Education Idea: Texas Takes a Look at Taxpayer Savings Grants
The movement to grow educational freedom and opportunity seems to be growing all over the nation these days. How many of you guessed Texas would be the next place for a proposal like Taxpayer Savings Grants to pick up steam?
The Taxpayer Savings Grant Program allows parents and guardians of school-age children to apply for a […]
Education Action Group’s Top 10 Indiana Reforms List No Laughing Matter
An email blast sent out Thursday by the Education Action Group (EAG) Foundation highlighted a list of “top 10 education reforms passed by the 2011 Indiana General Assembly.” If you follow this blog at all, you know right off the top what some of the biggies are — including limiting the topics open for teachers […]
Ed News Colorado Highlights Center Testimony on Educator Effectiveness Implementation
During public testimony at the May 12, 2011, meeting of the Colorado State Board of Education, senior policy analyst Ben DeGrow shared some preliminary insights concerning the implementation of educator effectiveness legislation (SB 191). Ed News Colorado’s Todd Engdahl highlighted one of the key points he made: Ben DeGrow of the Independence Institute said it’s […]
Open Union Negotiations Push in Jeffco Gets Favorable Attention
A couple weeks ago I asked the leading question: Is momentum growing for open union negotiations in Colorado? It may have been wishful thinking, but just for the short term. I was so glad to see Mike Rosen take on the issue in today’s Denver Post column (following two 850 KOA radio talk show appearances by senior policy analyst Ben DeGrow), even if the news he had to bear was not my first choice for an outcome.
