Colo. Capitol Room Packed to Talk Student Backpack Funding
On Thursday, December 6, a panel event co-sponsored by the Independence Institute packed a State Capitol committee room with 85 people to advance the discussion about how Colorado can embrace and implement backpack funding in future K-12 policy changes. Addressing an audience of educators, policymakers, and other citizens, four panelists shared some “outside-the-box” ideas on […]
Event Video: Colorado Financing Student Success Panel
A lot of interest has been generated in rewriting Colorado’s School Finance Act. How can we ensure funds follow students directly to the schools and courses of their choice? In this 90-minute video, think outside the box with the panelists at the “Financing Student Success” event at the Colorado State Capitol on December 6, 2012. […]
Unions Set Michigan Students Aside to Protest Workplace Freedom
Thousands of kids in Michigan are missing school today. Can you guess why? It is December, so you might be tempted to think a snow day or some other inclement weather situation explains all the absences…. Sorry, try again. Maybe some sort of influenza or chicken pox epidemic, you might say?… Well, if you did, […]
Can CEA Leaders Fight for Kids without Advocating Entitlement Reform?
All the big people are talking about these days seems to be the coming “fiscal cliff,” and some tough decisions leaders in Washington, D.C., have to make. For anyone who has common sense, a big part of the solution has to be for Congress to stop spending more money than it takes in. You know, […]
Believe It! NPR Shows How K-12 Policy Can Lead to Sugary-Sweet Goodness
Stop nagging me! Yes, it’s true I haven’t added much to the blog this week. Too much time making my Christmas list for Santa… up to 30 pages so far. Now it’s Friday and I’m tired. But I couldn’t retire into the weekend without at least a nod to something education-related here.
National Public Radio did […]
Analyst Addresses What’s Needed to Make Extended Learning Time Work
Senior policy analyst Ben DeGrow commented recently in an American Family Radio News (One News Now) story to provide perspective on news that some Colorado schools were among the recipients of grant money to provide longer or more days to serve especially low-income students. DeGrow told reporter Bob Kellogg that more than just the amount […]
Amy Oliver Show: Common Core Concerns Resurface in Colorado
Former assistant education secretary Bill Evers explains why he continues to resist the strong push for Common Core national education standards. The quality of standards and questions about federal influence of classroom curricula have fueled pushback in several states. Though the Common Core was adopted here two years ago, Colorado may be next, as the State Board of Education has sought input from national experts.
Liberty Common HS Principal Bob Schaffer Honored for State Board Service
Not many students can say their principal has served in Congress and chairs the State Board of Education, and has been a great champion for parental choice and positive educational transformation. The State Board this week honors the service of outgoing chair Bob Schaffer, who soon will be able to invest more of his energies as principal of the young but successful Liberty Common High School in Fort Collins.
I Don’t Have Time to Tell You Why Longer School Days Aren’t Enough
The concept of time is the topic of 100 proverbs and cliches. In the world of education reform, it definitely doesn’t feel like time is on our side. Every year of delay in debating, approving and implementing important policy changes — including expanded parental choice — is a year many students will not get back. […]
Not Louisiana, Too! Judge Striking Down Vouchers Bad Start to Weekend
Just the kind of glum news you (don’t!) want to hear before your weekend gets rolling, from the Wall Street Journal:
A Louisiana district court judge ruled Friday that the state’s school-voucher program is unconstitutional, dealing a blow to one of the nation’s most expansive efforts to let students attend private schools at taxpayer expense.
Judge Tim […]
Colorado K-12 Funding Debates REALLY Could Use Some Accepted Facts
A new Cato Institute education blogger, Jason Bedrick, highlights the work of the Independence Institute’s Education Policy Center in a posting today with a message that certainly needs to be repeated: “Public schools cost more than Americans think.” Bedrick cites Ben DeGrow’s recent interview with 9News disputing Colorado school funding figures, and makes a couple […]
Growing Support for Dougco Pay-for-Performance Suggests Staying Power
According to a school district dispatch yesterday, Douglas County’s visionary, cutting-edge work in performance-based educator pay and evaluations has received a key nod of community support:
The Castle Rock Economic Development Council (EDC) has endorsed the Douglas County School District pay-for-performance program.
“We know excellent schools are one of the top reasons that companies choose to locate […]
