Dangerous Decoration: How Much is Too Much for the Classroom?
My English classroom has a fish in it. No, not a real fish. A fish sticker. A shiny fish sticker with glittery scales, blue eyes, and an intriguingly amused expression on his (her?) face. Sometimes it feels like the fish sticker is staring at me. Have you ever tried reading or writing with a shiny […]
Two New Columns Bring Us Back to Reality in Jeffco Public Schools
It’s time to cut through the fog. Pieces of misinformation about the Jeffco school board have become so rampant that, even with your low-beams on, you’re bound to run into one or two of them. To deny the concentrated campaign of union field-tested talking points has been effective at increasing the numbers and volume of […]
News From the Mothership: USDOE’s Response to CO Testing Questions
A month ago, I put on my policy explorer cap and attended a Colorado State Board of Education meeting. At that meeting, a panel of CDE employees presented a whole bunch of information on testing in Colorado. More specifically, they went into some depth on the various aspects of local control as they relate to […]
Amy Oliver Show: What’s Really Behind Jeffco Controversy?
The dynamic Education Policy Center duo of Ross Izard and Ben DeGrow explain the political power struggle going on in the Jeffco school district, the possibility of recalls, and how some have chosen to bully one female board member.
Education Reform Times May Be A-Changin’, But Not for All
A long time ago, during an era known as “The Sixties,” there was a popular song called “The Times They Are a-Changin’”. Or so my Grandpa tells me. Apparently, it’s a sort of iconic piece about all the upheaval that was starting during this distant past. I have to say it’s a catchy tune, too. […]
A Show in Jeffco: Last Week’s Meeting and What Lies Ahead
As you may recall, I went to a party last Thursday night. Sadly, I didn’t find the snacks I was promised (though not for lack of trying). What I did find was a relatively small room absolutely packed with cameras, tension, and people wearing cheaply designed custom t-shirts. And snacks or no snacks, I got […]
Falling Membership Decline Begs Question: Is Time on the NEA’s Side?
Time is not on my side today, which means I have only a few moments to write something. Which is interesting. Because as Mike Antonucci reports, time doesn’t seem to be on the side of the National Education Association, either: Officers of the National Education Association expressed some optimism last July that the union’s falling […]
Power to the Parents: Colorado Comes in 12th in CER Report
Today, the battle continues in Jeffco following the school board’s very reasonable vote on the curriculum review controversy. But we’ve talked about Jeffco a lot recently, so I think it’s time to look at something a little more uplifting. And what could be more uplifting than empowering K-12 parents to make good decisions about their children’s […]
Izard, DeGrow Point Out Union Role in Jeffco Protests
The teacher sickouts and student walkouts in Jefferson County have drawn national headlines, but the true reasons behind the action have not received as much play. A national Reuters story explaining the Jeffco school board’s October 2 vote to create a more inclusive and transparent curriculum review process features insights into the manufactured controversy provided […]
Big Screen TVs and Backward Protests: Pass the Popcorn, JCEA
If you haven’t heard the news, boys and girls, there’s going to be quite a party in Jefferson County tonight. And it sounds like it’s going to be a biggin: Turnout is expected to be so high that the teachers’ union plans to stream video from the meeting room — which holds a couple hundred […]
Amy Oliver Show: Breaking Down Jeffco Myths
Jefferson County Students First executive director Sheila Atwell discusses the school board’s now performance pay plan, the goals to increase student achievement, and the true story behind the highly publicized teacher sickouts and student protests.
School Choice Programs Save a Ton of Money: Where Could It All Go?
I talk to you a lot about how expanding access to more schools through choice programs could help Colorado Kids Win. But the truth is that these choice programs also have another benefit: they help save money for the states that adopt them. What does that mean? More dollars left over for each student who […]
