Could Wildflower Elem. Show Colorado How to Climb Peak on 3rd Grade Reading?
The big news in Colorado education the past couple days is the release of the latest round of 3rd grade reading scores on the state CSAP test. While we still have a long ways to go, it is mildly encouraging to see the small increase in reading proficiency across Colorado:
Statewide, 73 percent of third-graders scored […]
Jeffco Teachers Union President Credits DeGrow, Institute on Open Negotiations
At the May 5 meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Education, representing Colorado’s largest school district, Jefferson County Education Association (JCEA) president Kerrie Dallman said she was “perplexed” that open teachers union negotiations had become such an issue and credited “Ben DeGrow and the Independence Institute” for bringing it attention.
Michigan Governor Calls For More Parent-Friendly Open Enrollment (a la Colorado)
Open enrollment is something I haven’t told you much about lately, but now it’s in the news as Michigan’s governor looks to break down a barrier to parental choice and educational opportunity in state law. The Detroit News yesterday highlighted Rick Snyder’s plan to allow any public school student access to an open public school […]
Anti-National Curriculum Manifesto Worth Signing in (Virtual) Ink, Not Crayon
If you gave me a big box of crayons and asked me to write a manifesto, it’s probably not what I would have come up with. But I am glad to give it a big thumbs up, and hope that lots of big people sign on. What am I talking about? Closing the Door on […]
Devil's Advocate: Blended Learning and Disrupting Class
Tune in to Devil’s Advocate as guest host Pam Benigno is joined by the Innosight Institute’s Michael Horn, co-author of the groundbreaking book Disrupting Class, and Jefferson County Public Schools director of student online learning Judy Bauernschmidt to discuss the fast-growing trend of K-12 blended learning. More and more students are enrolled in educational programs that combine brick-and-mortar schools and teacher face time with distance learning and computer-directed instruction. Find out what some of these programs look like, and how effective they are.
FOX 31 Fair and Balanced on Education? We Report, You Decide Part Three
On FOX 31 last night, political reporter did a sit-down with Governor John Hickenlooper for one of the School Cuts 101 series segments. The result? Unremarkable. Hick has been focused on budget issues, rightly so, and education reform barely shows up on his radar screen.
Three Years of Five-Year-Old Blogging: Great Time to Appreciate Teachers
As usual, I’m taking the weekend off for extra Lego time and lots of playing outdoors in the beautiful Colorado sunshine. Since tomorrow is an important anniversary, I decided to observe it today. On May 7, 2008, I began my three years of blogging here as a 5-year-old with a post titled “Denver Parents Want […]
FOX 31 Fair and Balanced on Education? We Report, You Decide Part Two
Maybe it’s impossible for FOX 31 to ignore the groundbreaking educational changes emanating out of Douglas County. In any case, I’m pleased to see their coverage of the suburban school district’s Choice Scholarship Program, along with a great example of how the program expands options for parents.
Everybody Else is Posting the Mitch Daniels Ed Reform Speech: Why Can’t I Do It?
My mom really doesn’t have much tolerance for the “But everybody’s doing it” excuse. I’m hoping she makes an exception for this posting. What am I talking about? Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (who, today, I might add, signed into law “the nation’s largest voucher program”…. HIP, HIP, HOORAH!) gave a big education reform speech at […]
FOX 31 Fair and Balanced on Education? We Report, You Decide
Local FOX 31 Denver News and reporter Eli Stokols are to be commended for wanting to look at the effects of K-12 education spending cuts and innovative ideas for addressing the challenge. But the first edition of the televised series cries out for context and correction. First of all, it’s important to stress that yes, for the past couple years Colorado schools have been experiencing real budget cuts — after years of steady increases in per-pupil funding. And of course, the cuts will have an impact, albeit an impact that can be heavily mitigated and overcome in the long run by re-thinking how our school system does business. That being said, the “crisis” trumpeted in Stokols’ piece is painted in a dubiously overstated light.
Mike Rosen Show Features Discussion of Open Union Negotiations in Jeffco
Senior policy analyst Ben DeGrow joined Jefferson County Board of Education director Laura Boggs as guests on 850 KOA’s Mike Rosen Show for a full hour to discuss the controversy over open union negotiations in Colorado’s largest school district. Go here to listen to a podcast of the 11 AM hour from the May 4 […]
Innosight Blended Learning Encyclopedia a True Wealth of Innovative Information
What can I say but, “Wow?” (I know, bad rhetorical question, because here goes….) All you education transformers out there should be aware of a new Innosight Institute report by Heather Staker titled The rise of K-12 blended learning: Profiles of emerging models. Doesn’t sound that spectacularly exciting, I know, unless you have joined little […]
