CSAP Scores Get Little Attention, But Call For Expanding School Reform Approach
Yesterday morning the Colorado Department of Education unveiled the latest CSAP (state assessment) results. It’s hard to believe: in the past these events attracted a lot of fanfare. But for the most recent announcement, I missed the brass band and confetti. Maybe because there wasn’t any.
And that doesn’t take into account the fact the release […]
State Legislative Candidates Briefed on K-12 School Finance, Cost-Saving Reforms
On Tuesday, August 3, nearly 40 state legislative candidates and other guests attended a briefing hosted by the Independence Institute. During the morning session, policy analyst Ben DeGrow gave a presentation on K-12 school finance policies, potentially cost-saving reforms and other considerations.
Ben DeGrow Talks Union Opt-Out Periods on 850 KOA’s Mike Rosen Show
The dog days of August are here. Most Colorado K-12 schools are gearing up for the 2010-11 year, while a few already are underway. August and September are a very busy time for those who work in our public schools. That’s why it shouldn’t be a surprise that for many teachers it’s the only time of year they have to make choices about their professional memberships.
NCTQ’s Green Light Indicates Colorado is a Likely Race to the Top Winner
So now that the Colorado State Board of Education has signed on to Common Core Standards, the question is what are the state’s chances to win up to $175 million in federal funds from Race to the Top (RTTT) Round 2? Thanks to Ed News Colorado’s Daily Churn, I learned that the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) has given Colorado’s latest RTTT proposal a green light (thanks in no small part to SB 191). So what does that mean?
Edujobs Bailout Clears Hurdle in Congress: My Debt Grows to Protect Union Dues
I don’t have time to rehash why Congress’ education jobs bailout bill doesn’t make any sense. I just don’t have time. The beach beckons. You know, summer vacation and all that. What once was a $23 billion bailout is now only a $10 billion bailout. (Phew! For awhile I thought we were talking about real […]
Kit Carson: Innovation Rural School Pioneer?
Since Colorado pioneered the Innovation Schools Act in 2008, enabling district-run public schools to seek greater autonomy over program and personnel, only schools in Denver have seized the opportunity. Until now, that is. Kit Carson superintendent Gerald Keefe discusses how his rural district is pursuing innovation school status in order to enact new policies for evaluating and dismissing teachers.
iVoices: Kit Carson District Looks to Break the Mold on Innovation Schools
Colorado has been a national leader in public school choice. One of the small facets of that choice is the Innovation School concept pioneered by a 2008 state law. These public schools or school districts can seek waivers from some state laws to have more flexibility in program and/or personnel policies.
Up till now, the handful […]
Colorado State Board of Education Adopts Common Core Academic Standards
I’ve been listening this morning to the Colorado State Board of Education discuss their decision to adopt the Common Core standards. If you want a play-by-play, check out my Twitter page.
Bottom line: the State Board just voted to adopt Common Core by the margin of 4-3. Republican Randy DeHoff joined the Board’s three Democrats […]
Pam Benigno Addresses Grassroots Leaders at D.C. Meeting
On July 19 Education Policy Center Pamela Benigno addressed a group of state grassroots education leaders at a National Coalition of Public School Options meeting in Washington, D.C. Her presentation on the importance of parent power was well-received by the audience.
Price for State Board to Adopt Common Core Standards Is Simply Too High
Well, Monday is the State Board of Education’s moment of truth: the decision whether or not to adopt Common Core standards. What once looked like an outcome not in doubt has changed in recent days. A great Ed News Colorado story today by Todd Engdahl lays it out well.
Some of the decisions made by the […]
Michigan: Just Another Case of Phony Alternative Teacher Certification “Reform”
From Michigan comes today’s reminder that education “reform” does not always mean real reform. History teacher Ryan McCarl writes for the Education Report that a new bill in his state designed to promote alternative teacher certification, well, really does very little or anything of the kind. In fact, he calls it “meaningless”:
The text of House […]
Michelle Rhee Inspires Me Again: Special Ed Vouchers, Teacher Dismissals
Washington D.C. school chancellor Michelle Rhee has done my heart good again — she who has helped to inspire my radical education reform side. She remains serious about getting the job done, and even the big Time Magazine cover story a year and a half ago hasn’t slowed her down. Given one of the toughest job assignments out there, Rhee continues to do great things.
