Amy Oliver Show: Falcon 49 Continues Advancing Innovation
Senior education policy analyst Ben DeGrow guest hosts a conversation with school board member Chris Wright about Falcon School District 49’s innovative changes they’re doing to promote teacher professionalism, parental involvement and fiscal responsibility — culminating with the University of Innovation idea to empower teachers on a professional track with best practices and mentorship opportunities.
Food for Thought as Colorado Grinds Ahead Reforming Teacher Evaluations
With so much going on in Colorado’s world of education reform — and all sorts of new and shiny things taking place — it can be easy to forget the state is in the middle of a large-scale change to teacher evaluations.
The highly-charged debates over SB 191 in 2010 seem like a distant memory. […]
11/26/12
Education Policy Center Newsletter November 26, 2012
— December 6 Panel Event Tackles Student-Centered Funding
— DeGrow Gives Fuller Picture of Colorado K-12 Dollars
— December 15 Deadline for Teachers Union Political Refund
— Dougco School Choice Program Gets Appeals Court Hearing
— Eddie Rounds Up Education Reform Scene
Did You Receive a Postcard About Every Member Option? December 15 Deadline Approaching
Updated for 2013
Did you receive a postcard like this in the mail? Click on the image for all the information and links you will need to request one or more Every Member Option (EMO) political refunds from the Colorado Education Association and its local affiliates:
You can also watch the 1-minute animated video on the EMO […]
Denver Teacher Finally Able to Exit Union, But Happy Ending Isn’t for All
I have a (sort of) happy ending to a story shared here back in April. Though she had to wait nearly a whole year, Denver teacher Ronda Reinhardt finally was able to exercise her right and revoke her union membership.
In many Colorado school districts (including Denver), a teacher who wants to exercise her right to […]
Appeals Court Weighs Dougco Choice Program: Will Families Be Able to Give Thanks?
On November 19, the Colorado Court of Appeals heard arguments in the case of Larue v Colo State Board of Education. At issue is the Douglas County Choice Scholarship Program, unanimously adopted by the school board in March 2011, which allowed up to 500 students greater access to private education options. Cautious optimism awaits a decision coming in “due course,” probably in early 2013.
Devil’s Advocate: Colorado Teachers Can Get Union Political Refunds
Senior education policy analyst Ben DeGrow sits down with host Jon Caldara to discuss the Colorado Education Association’s Every Member Option. The EMO allows teachers to receive a portion of their union dues that would go towards political advocacy back. The total refund amount varies from district to district, but the refund is guaranteed – as long as teachers ask for their money back by December 15 each year.
Families Watch as Dougco Choice Program Comes Before Appeals Court Today
I’m on pins and needles today. Not because all the turkey and football is only three days away, but because this afternoon is an important hearing that could affect the future of school choice in our state. The Colorado Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments concerning the Douglas County Choice Scholarship Program and the […]
Colorado TBD and School Finance Partnership Stars Aligning: Coincidence?
Sometimes the stars seem to align, and you have to wonder who is manipulating the telescope. I haven’t gotten into astronomy — at least not yet. But what I’m talking about really isn’t about astronomy. It’s about politics, and giving money to education bureaucrats. A metaphor, as it were.
Today, Ed News Colorado reports that Governor […]
Falcon 49 Moves Forward on Teacher Career Track Innovation: A Delicious Idea
Just when someone might think the innovation process in Falcon School District 49 has stalled out (just one school got rid of tenure so far?), here comes a pie in the face. Not a yucky key lime pie in the nostrils, mind you, but a delicious chocolate cream pie surprise that you can lick off […]
Michael Johnston’s Best-Ever Education Speech Inspires Funding Reform, Too
In a recent column for Forbes magazine, communications expert Nick Morgan gave Colorado some great kudos with his recognition of “The Best Speech About Education–Ever.” He was praising this great speech our state senator Michael Johnston made last month in Connecticut about “what’s possible and what’s next.”
Watch the speech, and you’ll see why Johnston’s passion, […]
A Fine Day to Let Others Break Down Education Reform Election Results
I’m still recovering from all the election excitement. Rather than try to rehash all the interesting results for the world of education reform, I’m going to do the lazy, little kid thing and point you to a few pieces to digest the information and analysis for yourself:
Education Week blogger Andrew Ujifusa lays out some of […]
