Education Reform Issues Across the Nation I’m Watching This Election Day
Apparently, today is some kind of big day, with a lot of big people here in Colorado and in other states making some important decision about the future of the country or something. It sounds like some sort of big deal. But as elections go, I’m more tuned in to some key education reform races […]
It’s Worth Stepping Back Even Further for a Full Picture of Education Funding
Tomorrow is decision day for a lot of big people in Colorado, voting to decide on several local school tax issues. Those who think more money is needed to bolster an inefficient K-12 system marshal incomplete funding figures, but thankfully my Education Policy Center friend was there to provide 9News viewers with a full picture […]
Chubb’s Bold Teacher Reform Proposals Sound Like Music in My Ears
My parents are convinced — well, maybe just one of them — that I’m going to be some kind of musical virtuoso. They signed me up for piano lessons. I’m not even ready to start working on “Mary Had a Little Lamb” yet, but don’t tell my mom a prodigy isn’t in the making.
The […]
DeGrow Provides 9News Full Picture of Colorado K-12 Tax Funding
On Thursday, November 1, senior education policy analyst Ben DeGrow talked with Denver 9News education reporter Nelson Garcia about the disputed use of figures to account for Colorado school funding. (Click either picture to access the original story.) “Colorado actually ranks closer to the middle than to the bottom,” DeGrow said. “You’ll see Colorado ranked […]
Don’t Ask to “Show Me” Why K-12 Education Needs Differential Teacher Pay
If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you probably are well aware of the numerous flaws in the way our K-12 education system pays teachers. Most of the flaws emanate from the single salary schedule, which the vast majority of school districts use. Pay is differentiated almost exclusively by seniority and academic […]
Amy Oliver Show: Teachers Unions Need to Improve Political Spending Info
Senior education policy analyst Ben DeGrow highlights recent revelations regarding teachers union offices providing bad information on member dues funding political campaigns. He also discusses a new national study that shows Colorado teachers unions at or near the top nationally in their political influence through contributions to state-level candidates.
A Better Approach to K-12 Budget Issues: Don’t Yell at TABOR, Fix PERA
I may risk inducing a heart attack or two with two straight days of spooky posts. But yesterday I produced some school funding data to debunk the idea that Colorado’s Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR) is the cause of apparent “devastation” for school budgets. Today I want to introduce a too-often overlooked factor into the […]
TABOR Looks Less Spooky Next to Colorado School Finance Data
With spooky Halloween almost upon us, it’s probably not terribly surprising to witness the one-sided horrible picture of TABOR painted in yesterday’s Colorado Springs Gazette (H/T Complete Colorado). Under the headline, “TABOR has decimated education, critics say,” we are given such insights as the following:
“It’s been devastating,” said Gustafson, Colorado Springs School District 11’s chief […]
Colorado Teachers Unions Number One in Political Giving to State Candidates
Halloween is this week, which means it’s almost time for little old me to don the green paint and flex my growing muscles as the Incredible Hulk. (I can hear some of those murmurs out there: “Yeah, incredible is right!”) All right, so maybe just because I put on the costume and go door to […]
Colorado Initiative’s Early Success Raises the Math and Science Bar (Gulp)
I occasionally get accused of being some kind of verbal prodigy. Less often do I get asked about my math and science skills. And frankly, it’s fine with me not to go there. But I get the scope of the problem associated with not enough students qualified and ready for careers in science, math and […]
Do Charter Schools Create Real Competition?
Young Harris College Professor Nathan Gray discusses his study of Ohio charter schools that offers some new insights into the effects of competition in K-12 education and the importance of quality charter school policies. In Gray’s study, the threat of charter competition yielded significant learning gains for students in district schools.
Teachers Union Offices Need to Improve Information on Member Political Dues
What happens when local Colorado teachers union offices take phone calls wanting to know how member dues are spent on political campaigns? Read and watch the results, which show the need to improve customer service. CEA can do better providing teachers complete and accurate information about how the union spends money on politics, as well as the Every Member Option (EMO) refund.
