4/8/10
Newsletter April 8 2010
Earth Day Education in the Balance
Carrie Lukas from the Independent Women’s Forum discusses her group’s latest campaign: Balanced Education for Everyone. As we approach Earth Day on April 22, IFW is encouraging parents to challenge their local public schools to provide a balanced education on global warming.
Race to the Top Round One: Colorado Misses Out
Education policy analyst Ben DeGrow discusses the news that Colorado missed out on the first round of Race to the Top federal education grant awards. He explains what set winners Delaware and Tennessee apart, and cautions that the process may be threatening chances at truly bold reform and innovation.
Colorado State Board of Education, Part II
Ever wonder what the Colorado State Board of Education does? Tune in to this two-part iVoices.org podcast between Fiscal Policy Center Director Penn Pfiffner and former legislator and now current State Board of Education Chairman Bob Schaffer. In this second installment, Bob goes over what the board does, its functions, its impact, and how it shapes policy for all of Colorado’s schools.
Colorado State Board of Education, Part I
Ever wonder what the Colorado State Board of Education does? Tune in to this two-part iVoices.org podcast between Fiscal Policy Center Director Penn Pfiffner and former legislator and now current State Board of Education Chairman Bob Schaffer. In this first installment, Bob gives listeners news from board – what’s going on, what they’re planning, and information regarding the “Race to the Top” funds.
Ben DeGrow Talks TABOR, School Funding on Colo. Springs TV
Education Policy Analyst Ben DeGrow appeared yesterday on a televised segment for Colorado News First 5 (KOAA Colorado Springs / Pueblo) to explain the problems with the new “DECIDE” school funding proposal in the Colorado legislature.
Innovation Cole and DSST Charter Talk Partnership
Parents and leaders at the K-8 innovation school Cole Arts and Science Academy have proposed a partnership with the successful charter Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST) to share their northeast Denver campus starting in the fall of 2011. Cole principal Julie Murgel talks about the freedom that comes with her school’s innovation status and the promising possibilities of partnering with DSST.
3/10/10
Newsletter March 10 2010
Important New Education Tool for Parents
Colorado’s 9 News and the Piton Foundation have launched the Colorado School Choice website to provide parents with a new tool to examine the performance of Colorado’s public schools. Listen to Pam Benigno and Van Schoales discuss the new website and other tools available for parents.
Education Problems Not Due to Lack of Funding
Through years of steadily rising revenues, lawmakers and education officials have not had enough incentive to deal with the long-term structural challenges that drive costs upwards without improving results. It is unfair and unproductive to scapegoat taxpayers for this reality.
Time for Accountability in Colorado Teachers Union Release Time
Many Colorado school districts give teachers and other employees taxpayer-funded release time from their school duties to serve as union officers or to do other union business. Education policy analyst Ben DeGrow talks about his new report that finds very little accountability for the practice, even though evidence shows at least one example of political campaign work being done on release time.
Harrison School District Set to Transform Teacher Pay
El Paso County’s Harrison School District is preparing to radically change how its teachers are paid. Superintendent Mike Miles explains why Harrison is moving to the Effectiveness & Results Pay-for-Performance Plan, and what separates it from other reform efforts to change teacher compensation.
