Ben DeGrow’s Latest School Reform News Story Tackles Teacher Prep Report
On a busy Friday, the easy and preferred course of action is for me to point you to the latest School Reform News article by my Education Policy Center friend Ben DeGrow. The title of the story is “Teacher Training Overhaul Would Leave Ed Schools in Charge”:
Following a blue-ribbon panel’s lead, the nation’s largest accreditation […]
January 13: Landmark Day for Colorado K-12 Productivity and Innovation?
Today, January 13, 2011 … a significant day for innovation and productivity in Colorado K-12 education? It’s too early to say for sure. But a couple of Board decisions may mean as much. First, the Colorado State Board of Education — which yesterday broke in its new members by making their first decision on a […]
School Leaders, Officials Gather to Discuss Challenges Facing Online Education
On January 11, 2011, more than 30 of Colorado’s online educators, school leaders, experts and officials gathered at the Independence Institute for an important meeting focused on online and blended learning. Those in attendance were able to learn about national trends and the recommendations of the Digital Learning Council, to discuss obstacles to promoting innovation […]
New Calculator Tool Lets You Approach “Quality Counts” Claims with Care
If you’re stuck in the education bubble, the big news for this week is Education Week’s release of its annual “Quality Counts” report. The national publication uses a wide range of metrics to rate states on their K-12 performance and policies. Since I can guarantee you that some prominent official or media figure in 2011 […]
Michelle Rhee and Students First Release Worthwhile, Ambitious Policy Agenda
Today is 1-11-11… 5 straight ones. I’m 5 years old, 5 years of number 1. Now that you’ve had a chance to let that not-too-eerie coincidence sink in, I only have time today to bring your attention to an important document. My edu-crush Michelle Rhee’s new super-fab education transformer group, Students First, has released its […]
A Quiet Legislative Session for K-12? Transformers Still Must Make Noise
Colorado’s upcoming legislative session starts in two days, and Ed News Colorado has posted its annual preview. Some lawmakers and interest groups may insist on a quiet session. No matter what, I’ll still be out here making noise for some meaningful K-12 policy changes that provide choice and accountability, changes that empower families. I hope more of my education transformer friends will join me.
Devil's Advocate: Education Reform and Smart Spending
What reform strategies do policy makers need to pursue in order to spend our limited education dollars more effectively? Tune in to Devil’s Advocate to find out as host Jon Caldara is joined by former Colorado Commissioner of Education William Moloney and Independence Institute Education Policy Center director Pam Benigno for a discussion of where American education ranks internationally and how we can get back on track without spending more money.
Pueblo Chieftain Takes Note of Institute's Cost-Saving Tuition Tax Credit Proposal
One bold, cost-saving suggestion for Colorado K-12 made by the Education Policy Center’s Ben DeGrow at the January 6 Colorado Budget Summit (hosted by the Republican Study Committee of Colorado), drew attention from the media. Highlighting a series of recommendations from the Independence Institute’s new Citizens’ Budget report, Patrick Malone of the Pueblo Chieftain wrote: […]
School Passports: Another Great Idea to Expand Choice and Save Money
I’m pretty young and haven’t had the chance to visit a lot of places. Still, I think of passports as pieces of paper that allow you to travel to other countries. The Foundation for Educational Choice offers a different and thought-provoking twist, though, with a new report called “School Passports: Making the Stimulus Pay Off […]
Petrilli’s Prognostications and Public School Productivity in Colorado
What’s in store in the world of K-12 education for 2011? I’m too young and naive to make any worthwhile predictions myself, but I invite you to check out the “7 for 11″ prophetic musings of Fordham’s Mike Petrilli. In about 360 days or so we can fully judge how accurate his educated guesses prove […]
Weld County School District Bargaining Dispute Starts Getting National Spotlight
I’m still catching up on stories and commentaries I may have missed while on break at the end of the year. A few months ago I brought your attention to a growing dispute in Weld County’s Valley Re-1 School District, from the local teachers association that claimed its collective bargaining privileges were being stripped away […]
New Florida Governor Rick Scott Weighs Some Bold Education Reforms
While a lot of states – including Colorado – look forward to convening their legislatures with a focus on tackling budget problems, truly bold education reform is at the forefront of conversation in at least one place: Florida. Governor-Elect Rick Scott’s transition team has proposed a slew of promising bold education reform ideas. Drawing the most attention is the “Education Savings Account” private school choice proposal.
