An Island of Opportunity: A Profile of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Academy
In An Island of Opportunity, Senior Education Policy Analyst Ross Izard profiles St. Rose of Lima Catholic Academy. St. Rose is a private, PK-8 Catholic school that predominantly serves low-income Hispanic children. Most children who attend St. Rose come from migrant backgrounds. An integral part of the surrounding neighborhood for more than half a century, St. […]
Seniority policies put excellent teachers’ jobs at risk
Effective teachers are the lifeblood of education. More than any other school-related factor, teachers have deep and lasting impacts on students’ futures. But despite the power of effective teaching, nearly half of Colorado’s unionized school districts are operating under negotiated policies or agreements that place students’ educations and excellent teachers’ jobs at risk by unlawfully prioritizing simple seniority, or length of service, over performance in layoff situations.
Eternal LIFO: Unlawful Layoff Procedures in Unionized Colorado School Districts
Passed in 2010, Senate Bill 191 was a landmark piece of education reform legislation that garnered significant bipartisan support, including unanimous support from Republican legislators. The bill amended Colorado’s Licensed Personnel Performance Evaluation Act and the Teacher Employment, Compensation, and Dismissal Act (TECDA) to align state statute more closely with the goal of ensuring that every student is taught by an effective teacher.
Counting the Cash Again: An Update on Colorado School Finance
School finance is a constant topic of interest in Colorado education discussions. However, the complex nature of school finance means that many do not feel adequately prepared to meaningfully participate in these conversations. In his latest publication, Senior Education Policy Analyst Ross Izard provides the information needed to have honest, accurate discussions of Colorado’s school finance […]
Charter schools perform well, continue to grow quickly
Every three years, the Colorado Department of Education publishes a comprehensive report on Colorado’s charter school sector. The 2016 State of Charter Schools report was published last month. The report – and its unsurprisingly encouraging findings – could hardly have arrived at a more critical juncture.
Altering Courses: A Profile of Crossroads School
In “Altering Courses,” Senior Education Policy Analyst Ross Izard describes his time at Crossroads School in Longmont, Colorado. Described lovingly as the “island of misfit toys where everybody fits,” Crossroads is a private, faith-based alternative school for at-risk middle and high school students. Started in 2010 with the specific goal of serving children whose needs […]
Masters v. School District Number 1
The Independence Institute has long been a champion of tenure reform, local control, and flexibility in the realm of school and district personnel decisions. In 2010, the Institute was part of a broad, bipartisan coalition supporting Senate Bill 191, Colorado’s teacher evaluation and tenure reform bill. It continues to defend SB 191’s critical reforms from both […]
Education Labor Handbook: A Guide to Collective Bargaining Reform in Colorado
Colorado’s education labor landscape is complicated. But despite the heavy contractual jargon and often inscrutable political currents, there are tremendous opportunities for meaningful, sensible reform. Written by Senior Education Policy Analyst Ben DeGrow and co-authored by Education Policy Analyst Ross Izard, the Education Labor Handbook provides the most comprehensive view of collective bargaining reform in […]
Intervening for Success: A Profile of the Havern School for Children with Learning Disabilities
Havern’s intervention model, rich history, and tight-knit community form the foundations of a truly inspirational school.
