The Politics of Federal Education Funding? Questions about Race to the Top Judgments
The new school year is underway, and I’m just trying to keep my head above water while this giant wave of reaction to the U.S. Department of Education’s Race to the Top grant announcements keeps rolling in. Seriously, one of these days my mom or dad is going to have to teach me how to […]
Colorado Loses Race to the Top: State Board’s Bob Schaffer, Marcia Neal Respond
Winning a share of Race to the Top round two federal dollars seemed a sure thing for Colorado. Were we all wrong or what? Instead of Colorado becoming one of the 10 winners, our state finished 17th out of 19. Two State Board of Education members shared their reactions to the surprising news on our Ed Is Watching blog.
Colorado Ranks #5 in Non-Teaching School Employees Per Student
So this morning I ran across an interesting posting from Mark Tapscott of the Washington Examiner, based on a little research “to see which states have the public school districts with the most top-heavy bureaucracies.” As Tapscott explains, he took U.S. Census Bureau data to build a table and find out which states have the […]
A Physical Education Revolution?
Since Friday is here, time for some lighter fare… maybe as in having a lighter body weight? You don’t see me writing a lot about physical education — maybe because you typically can’t get P.E. credit for blogging or Legos. But maybe I could get credit for all the times I go crazy running around […]
New Colorado Charters to See Funding Boost; Liberty Common High Opens Doors
I learned some good news today: While Colorado K-12 public schools expect to receive $160 million in Edujobs money to save more jobs than were lost and to preserve the status quo, some good news arrived: Colorado also will receive a 3-year, $40.8 million federal grant to help innovative charter schools with start-up expenses. Denise […]
8/18/10
Newsletter August 18 2010
Ben DeGrow’s Denver Post Edujobs Critique Riles Up Some Responses
I’m pleased to report that my Education Policy Center friend Ben DeGrow’s guest column in the Denver Post taking on the edujobs bailout has garnered some attention — you know, the one I told you about a couple days ago. Without further ado, here they are:
Reason’s Nick Gillespie quotes the op-ed, observing that Congress is […]
Education Jobs Bailout Can't Be Justified
Last week, the House of Representatives passed legislation that included a $10 billion payout to states to preserve K-12 school jobs. Retaining or adding school employees may be a priority for the Democrat majority in Congress and their union backers, which stand to gain more than $20 million. But as a national policy, Congress’ Education Jobs Fund — or “edujobs” — bailout is excessive, shortsighted and fiscally irresponsible.
Video: Some Colorado Unions Abuse Non-Union Teacher Paychecks
My Education Policy Center friends truly have done it this time. They produced a 4-minute video about a Colorado school employee’s story that highlights an unjust policy:
Thank you, Colorado teachers unions. From the YouTube summary:
Due to family medical hardships, non-union Pueblo school employee Becky Robertson missed an annual deadline to opt out of union fee […]
Ben DeGrow Takes Heat for Tackling $10 Billion Edujobs Bailout in Denver Post
My Education Policy Center friend Ben DeGrow made the opinion page of today’s Denver Post with a featured guest column titled “Education jobs bailout can’t be justified.” Find out why the $10 billion in federal funding is “excessive, shortsighted and fiscally irresponsible.”
Sen. Keith King Chimes In on Colorado Adopting Common Core Standards
Not to spend too much time today dwelling in the past — it’s been 11 days now since the State Board regretfully adopted the Common Core standards — but I felt impelled to bring your attention to a guest column in today’s Denver Post. State senator Keith King, a charter school administrator and education expert, […]
A Glimpse at New Schools: SkyView Academy (Highlands Ranch)
It’s been too long since I’ve taken a glimpse at a new Colorado school. But as the school year fast approaches for most students around the state, it’s definitely time to get back on track.
For the preschool-through-5th grade students at SkyView Academy in Highlands Ranch, a south Denver suburb, the inaugural school year doesn’t […]
