While School Choice Moves Forward, Don’t Expect Smooth Sailing in 2013
Well, a new year has come, and you favorite edublogging prodigy is back from a well-deserved break playing with Legos and wishing for more snow. Before things start to heat up again, it’s time for a little more perspective. Jay Greene guest blogger Matt Ladner sent Happy New Year’s greetings by directing our attention to […]
Tyrell’s Story Focuses Us on 2013 Education Reform Struggle Ahead
A few weeks ago I was one of the first to share the bad news that a judge had struck down one of Louisiana’s school choice programs that offered hope and opportunity to so many students. Well, I couldn’t think of a better way to end a year of blogging — yep, this is the […]
Attacking Dougco school board, union leaders swing… and miss
By Ben DeGrow Christmas is just days away. While many students in Colorado schools are starting their long-awaited breaks, the disgruntled teachers union leadership in Douglas County is stepping up their smear campaign. And while they stretch the truth to attack the school board that bid them adieu, their attacks also leave behind some collateral […]
12/20/12
Education Policy Center Newsletter December 20, 2012
— “Financing Student Success” Panel Packs Capitol Committee Room
— Radio Segments Cover Innovation, Common Core, System Transformation
— Teachers Unions Offer Reminders of Misplaced Priorities
— Eddie Highlights Rocky Mtn. Prep Blended Learning, Other School Visits
Denver’s Rocky Mountain Prep Opens Door to Cutting-Edge Learning Success
The Education Policy Center recently visited a Denver charter school on the cutting edge of blended learning in Colorado. Rocky Mountain Prep follows in the footsteps of successful forebears that serve high-need student populations — placing a foundational emphasis on high expectations with competent, caring and dedicated teachers — while testing an innovative approach that could help disrupt a broken system.
Amy Oliver Show: Ending the Education Plantation
Senior education policy analyst Ben DeGrow guest hosts a conversation with John Conlin, founder and CEO of the new group End the Education Plantation. Conlin looks to lead a grassroots movement toward changing the K-12 system and empowering parents through Education Freedom Accounts.
Adams 12 Interview Raises Case to Stop Underwriting Union Officers
I love anniversaries, don’t you? Exactly one year ago I commented on a front-page Denver Post story documenting the use of taxpayer-funded union release time in Colorado school districts. Without taking a comprehensive look, the Post reporter found $5.8 million in subsidies to teacher unions.
So on this not-quite-historic 1st anniversary, it’s interesting to see a […]
Colorado School Grades Website Returns to Inform Parents for Second Year
Can you believe it’s been a whole year since the launch of the Colorado School Grades website? My friends at the Independence Institute are proud to be one of the 18 sponsoring partners of this helpful resource.
The passing of 12 months means a whole new set of data, and a lot of curious parents searching […]
Ridgeview Classical Continues Exceptional Approach in Pursuit of Excellence
Recently I told you about my Education Policy Center friends’ visit to Liberty Common High School in Fort Collins — which principal just so happens to be outgoing State Board of Education chair Bob Schaffer (whose farewell dinner earned a nice tribute in the Colorado Statesman). Well, if you’re going to make the 2-hour round […]
Ed Reform Super Bowl Would Have Been Nice, But Florida Gets Tony Bennett
Really quick for a Friday, the good news for the education reform movement this week is that “Indiana’s loss turned out to be Florida’s gain.” What am I talking about? The sad news that the Hoosier State’s commissioner of education Tony Bennett lost his re-election bid is quelled by the fact he agreed to take […]
Eddie Picks Up Slack on Media Misses, Including Teacher Pension Costs
I love lists, I love education, and I love to tell people about things. So it should be no surprise that my attention was caught by yesterday’s news release from Stanford: “Hoover Institution Education Experts Identify News Media Hits and Misses in 2012 Education Coverage.” The Koret Task Force on Education named five stories that […]
Are Colo. School Districts Really Doing Better on New Global Report Card?
When confronted with the question of how well our schools are doing, too often we lack the full context needed to compare and understand what knowledge and skills students are acquiring to be strong citizens, competent workers, and trailblazing entrepreneurs for the next generation. Last year I told you about the Global Report Card, which […]
