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Learning Curve

An expert and a mom discuss the state of education in Colorado. This engaging videocast features Ross Izard, an education policy expert and Erin Brantley, a mom who is passionate about education policy.

Homeschooling, private schools, public schools… we cover it all!

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Ep34. Are Colorado school districts putting institutional interests ahead of student safety and parental rights? In this episode of Learning Curve, hosts Erin Brantley and Ross Izard sit down with Lindsay Datko of Jeffco Kids First to discuss the growing concerns surrounding parental involvement, transparency, and accountability in Colorado's public schools. What began as a grassroots movement during the COVID-19 pandemic has grown into an advocacy organization with more than 10,000 followers, working to hold school districts accountable through public records requests, community organizing, and direct engagement with education officials. Lindsay shares how her organization has uncovered concerning issues, challenged district policies, and helped parents make their voices heard. In this episode: -Why some parents feel ignored by school administrators -How public records requests can expose district decision-making -Why Lindsey believes schools sometimes prioritize institutional self-protection over students -How a single email can influence school district policy -What parents can do when school boards aren't responding -Why Jeffco Kids First turned to federal authorities after exhausting local options -Can parents really make a difference in their children's education? According to Lindsey, the answer is absolutely yes. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive deeper into student safety concerns, Title IX investigations, and the fight for accountability in Jefferson County schools. Subscribe to Learning Curve for more conversations about education policy, parental rights, and the future of Colorado schools. #LearningCurve #ColoradoEducation #ParentalRights #SchoolAccountability #JeffcoSchools #StudentSafety #EducationReform #JeffcoKidsFirst Are Schools Protecting Themselves Instead of Students?

Are Schools Protecting Themselves Instead of Students?

Ep 33. A new federal education tax credit is coming in 2027, and it could create new opportunities for families across Colorado and the country! In this episode of Learning Curve, host Ross Izard breaks down the new $1,700 federal education scholarship tax credit, explaining how the program works, who could benefit, and why it could become one of the most significant school choice initiatives in American history. Unlike traditional school choice programs that focus primarily on private school tuition, this new federal initiative could support a much wider range of educational opportunities, including public schools, private schools, homeschool enrichment programs, and other qualifying educational expenses. Ross explains how taxpayers will be able to receive federal tax credits for eligible donations to nonprofit scholarship organizations, which then provide scholarships to students. He also discusses why the new IRS and Treasury Department rules could have major implications for how states implement the program. In this episode: How the new $1,700 education tax credit works Why the program isn't just for private school students How public school and homeschool families could benefit What the new federal rules mean for Colorado Why 2027 could mark a major turning point for school choice Could this new program expand educational opportunities for thousands of families? Watch to learn more! Subscribe to Learning Curve for conversations about education policy, parental choice, and the issues shaping the future of education in Colorado. #LearningCurve #SchoolChoice #EducationTaxCredit #ColoradoEducation #Homeschooling #EducationPolicy #ParentalChoice #TaxCredits A New $1,700 Education Tax Credit Is Coming!

A New $1,700 Education Tax Credit Is Coming!

Ep.32 Are Taxpayers Getting What They Paid For? | Colorado School Funding Colorado school districts are asking voters for millions of dollars in additional funding. But are taxpayers getting the results they were promised? In this episode of Learning Curve, host Erin Brantley examines school funding requests across Colorado and raises important questions about accountability, transparency, and whether increased education spending is translating into measurable improvements for students. With Jefferson County, Denver, Douglas County, and Littleton seeking additional taxpayer funding, Erin explores what voters should consider before casting their ballots. In this episode: Why Colorado school districts are requesting millions in additional funding. Whether previous tax increases delivered the improvements voters were promised. How declining student enrollment is creating long-term financial challenges for school districts. Why academic performance and measurable outcomes should be part of the school funding conversation. What taxpayers can do to hold school districts and elected school boards accountable. Colorado schools face real challenges, including teacher compensation, facility maintenance, and rising operating costs. But should approving additional funding also mean demanding measurable results? Erin discusses why voters should look beyond the dollar amounts and ask whether their school districts have demonstrated responsible spending, delivered on previous commitments, and established clear plans for the future. The big question: Are taxpayers getting what they paid for? Watch the full episode of Learning Curve for a closer look at Colorado's school funding debate. Join the conversation: Do you believe Colorado school districts are doing enough to demonstrate results before requesting additional taxpayer funding? Let us know in the comments! Subscribe to Learning Curve for more conversations about Colorado education, school choice, education policy, and accountability. #LearningCurve #ColoradoEducation #SchoolFunding #TaxpayerAccountability #ColoradoSchools #EducationPolicy #SchoolBoard #JeffcoSchools #PublicEducation Are Taxpayers Getting What They Paid For?

Are Taxpayers Getting What They Paid For?

Ep. 31 What happens when a child shows signs of dyslexia but their reading scores are too high to qualify for additional support? Some children with dyslexia develop strong vocabulary and other skills that can mask their reading difficulties, allowing them to score above the threshold for a READ plan. As a result, parents may be left wondering why their child is struggling despite seemingly acceptable test scores. On this episode of Learning Curve, hosts Erin Brantley and Ross Izard talk with cofounders of CO Kid about Colorado's new dyslexia screening requirements under SB25-200 and why early identification matters. They explain how expanded screening could help identify children who might otherwise slip through the cracks, giving parents valuable information about their child's reading development—even when their child doesn't qualify for a formal intervention plan. Because every parent deserves to understand why their child is struggling. 🎧 Watch the full episode of Learning Curve for more on Colorado's dyslexia legislation, parental rights, and the fight to improve literacy outcomes. 🔗 Learn more about CO Kid: https://cokid.org #LearningCurve #DyslexiaAwareness #ColoradoEducation #EarlyLiteracy #ParentalRights #ReadingIntervention #Education Your Child Is Struggling… But Doesn't Qualify for Help

Your Child Is Struggling… But Doesn't Qualify for Help

Ep.30: What happens when a child with dyslexia goes unidentified for years, and what can parents do to change the system? On this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley and Ross Izard talk with Lindsay and Anna from CO Kid about how a group of Colorado parents turned their personal experiences with dyslexia into a years-long effort to change education policy across the state. For Lindsay, the fight began after her daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia in 2016. After struggling to get her the help she needed, Lindsay discovered that other parents across Colorado were running into many of the same roadblocks. What started as parents advocating within their individual school districts eventually grew into a statewide coalition pushing for better screening, intervention, and literacy policies. Lindsay shares the deeply personal reason she stayed in the fight even after her own children were too old to benefit from many of the changes she was working toward. She saw firsthand what delayed identification did to her oldest daughter, an experience she describes as traumatic, and became determined to prevent other children from going through the same thing. Anna shares a similar experience, including the dramatic difference between having one child identified late and another identified early. She also discusses why her experience as a foster parent has made the issue even more urgent and why she worries about children reaching adulthood without the reading skills they need. Erin, Ross, Lindsay, and Anna also discuss what it actually takes for ordinary parents to become effective advocates: building coalitions, approaching lawmakers, testifying, working with the State Board of Education, developing relationships, facing opposition, and continuing the fight even when meaningful change takes years. It’s a conversation about dyslexia and literacy, but also about something much bigger: what can happen when parents recognize a problem in the education system and refuse to give up until something changes. Watch the full episode of Learning Curve to hear Lindsay and Anna’s story and how CO Kid helped turn parent advocacy into action at the Colorado State Capitol. #Dyslexia #Literacy #Education #ColoradoEducation #ParentAdvocacy #LearningCurve #Colorado The Delay Was Traumatic for My Daughter

The Delay Was Traumatic for My Daughter

Ep. 29. Jeffco Public Schools is asking voters to approve two new property tax measures that would generate a combined $133 million in new annual revenue. But what exactly are taxpayers being asked to pay for, and what questions should voters be asking before Election Day? Erin Brantley and Ross Izard break down Jeffco’s proposed 5A and 5B mill levy overrides, including teacher compensation, career and technical education, aging school facilities, and the district’s argument that it receives less funding than neighboring districts. They also examine the other side of the debate: declining enrollment, rising administrative costs, concerns stemming from the 2018 mill levy override, and the controversial sale of the former Emory Elementary property. For a $600,000 home, the district estimates the measures would cost roughly $273 per year. Is the additional funding justified? And what accountability should taxpayers expect when a school district asks for more money? Erin and Ross break down the arguments surrounding 5A and 5B and what Jefferson County voters should know before casting their ballots. Subscribe for more Colorado education and policy discussions from Learning Curve. Would You Hand Them $273 Every Year?

Would You Hand Them $273 Every Year?

Ep 28.Colorado’s homeschool enrichment landscape is changing fast. Since our last update, a number of homeschool enrichment programs have shut down, leaving families scrambling for alternatives. Now, the Colorado State Board of Education is considering new rules that could dramatically reshape how these programs operate in the future. Erin Brantley and Ross Izard break down the two options currently under consideration, including a proposal that could require school districts and other local education providers to directly operate enrichment programs rather than contracting with outside organizations. They also examine a major question at the center of the debate: What should actually count as homeschool “enrichment”? And how can Colorado provide appropriate oversight without eliminating the innovative programs families value? Plus, with the rulemaking process underway, Erin and Ross explain how parents can make their voices heard before the rules are finalized. Subscribe to Learning Curve for more conversations about education policy, school choice, and the issues affecting Colorado families. Homeschool Programs Are GONE

Homeschool Programs Are GONE

Ep.27: Are Rural Homeschoolers Getting Left Behind? Colorado is rewriting the rules surrounding homeschool enrichment programs, and where a family lives could have a major impact on the opportunities available to their children. In this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley and Ross Izard break down Colorado's developing homeschool enrichment rules and two major issues at the center of the debate: general availability and private benefit. Under the state's current approach, homeschool enrichment programs may face restrictions on offering activities that aren't also available through the local school district. That could mean families in larger districts have access to programs and experiences that families in smaller or rural districts do not. The conversation also turns to outside vendors. Public schools routinely contract with private providers for educational services but could homeschool enrichment programs face a different standard? Erin and Ross explain what's happening, why these rules matter, and what parents should watch as Colorado moves toward finalizing the new regulations. In this episode: -Why rural homeschool families could have fewer enrichment options -How Colorado defines acceptable uses of part-time education funding -The debate over "private benefit" -Why contracting with outside educational providers matters -How parents can participate in the rulemaking process Subscribe to Learning Curve for more conversations about education policy, school choice, and the issues affecting Colorado families. #Homeschool #ColoradoEducation #SchoolChoice #Homeschooling #EducationPolicy Are Rural Homeschoolers Getting Left Behind?

Are Rural Homeschoolers Getting Left Behind?

Ep26: Colorado’s homeschool enrichment programs are facing a sudden deadline that could affect tens of thousands of students across the state. After a major organization responsible for authorizing many of these programs was forced to dissolve, dozens of homeschool enrichment programs were thrown into uncertainty. Programs that had already spent hundreds of hours applying for state approval were suddenly told their applications would no longer be reviewed, and many now have only days to find a new authorizer. A process that would normally take months is being compressed into days, all while the school year is already beginning. Erin Brantley and Ross Izard break down what happened, why Colorado’s September 5 deadline matters, and what it could mean for homeschool families across the state. How many of these programs will be able to survive, and what happens to the students if they don’t? Subscribe to Learning Curve for more conversations about education policy, school choice, and the issues affecting Colorado students and families. Colorado Gave Homeschool Programs DAYS to Survive

Colorado Gave Homeschool Programs DAYS to Survive