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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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Ep. 06: Colorado’s budget crisis just got worse, and the consequences are coming fast. In this episode of Learning Curve, Ross Izzard and Aaron Brantley break down what a $1.5 billion budget deficit actually means for families, schools, and taxpayers. From potential education cuts to political gridlock, they walk through what’s happening behind the scenes at the Capitol, and why your voice matters more than you think. You’ll learn: -Why the deficit grew from $1B to $1.5B -What programs (like homeschool enrichment) are on the chopping block -How the legislative process really works (and where bills get stuck) -Why some lawmakers want to raise revenue instead of cutting spending -How public pressure already stopped one proposal, and can again -This isn’t just politics, it’s decisions that directly impact your family, your taxes, and your future. 👉 If you’ve ever wondered whether speaking up actually makes a difference… this episode answers that question. Stay informed. Stay involved. Make your voice heard.
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Your Voice Matters More Than You Think

Ep 05: The Hard Truth For Parents: If you're not involved, you're not part of the decision. Most parents focus on national politics when it comes to education, but what actually impacts your child every single day is happening at the local school board level. In this episode of Learning Curve, we break down: -What school boards actually control (it’s more than you think) -Why most parents are completely left out of decisions -How to get your voice heard (without being ignored) -The simple steps you can take this week to get involved -If you’ve ever felt like your concerns aren’t being heard… this episode will change how you see the system. 👉 Because the truth is: If you’re not in the room, or at least in the inbox, you’re not part of the decision. ⏱ Timestamps 00:00 Why parents feel left out 01:00 What school boards actually control 03:00 The biggest misunderstanding about school boards 06:30 How to speak so they actually listen 08:00 Why voter turnout is so low 10:30 The hidden tool parents aren’t using (records requests) 12:30 Why you’re not as powerless as you think 📌 Key Takeaways -School boards control your child’s day-to-day experience -Most parents don’t engage, but small groups can create change -Emotion alone won’t work, structure and solutions will -You have more power than you think 👍 If this helped you: Like, subscribe, and share with another parent who needs to hear this.
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The Hard Truth For Parents

Ep. 04- Parental Rights & School Policy Explained Are headlines missing the real story? In this episode of Learning Curve, Ross Izzard and Erin Brantley break down a rapidly developing legal case that’s raising serious questions about parental rights, school policies, and media framing. At the center: a California case involving whether schools can withhold critical information from parents about their own children, and what the courts are signaling about how this could ultimately be decided. This isn’t just about one issue. It’s about a much bigger question: 👉 Do parents have a constitutional right to know what’s happening with their children at school? We unpack: -What the case actually says? (vs. how it’s being reported) -Why the Supreme Court’s early signals matter? -The legal precedent behind parental rights -How this could impact schools across the country? What parents should be paying attention to right now? If you’ve only seen headlines, this conversation will challenge what you think you know. Key Takeaway: This case isn’t about culture war talking points, it’s about who has the final say in a child’s upbringing: parents or institutions. 👍 Like, subscribe, and share if you want more clear, no-spin breakdowns of education policy. 📩 Questions or topics? Reach out: info@learningcurveco.org #EducationPolicy #ParentalRights #SupremeCourt #SchoolPolicy #NewsAnalysis #LearningCurve
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Did the Media Get this Wrong?

Ep. 03- Erin Brantley and Ross Izard- Learning Curve What happens when families want better options for their kids, but can’t afford them? In this clip from Learning Curve, we break down the harsh reality many parents face: even when better schools exist, access often comes down to money. Without financial support, thousands of families are simply locked out of opportunities. This conversation dives into Colorado’s HB 261292 and how new rules could impact school choice, private education access, and scholarship programs designed to help lower-income families. If you care about education, school choice, or the future of opportunities for families, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS Why many families are “out of luck” without financial support How school choice works (and where it breaks down) What this bill could mean for parents and students The growing debate around access vs. regulation 📢 GET INVOLVED Want to stay informed or share your perspective? Pay attention to what’s happening at the state level—these decisions directly impact families and students. 👍 SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: If you found this helpful: Like 👍 Subscribe 🔔 Share with a parent who needs to hear this Watch the full breakdown for more context and analysis. #SchoolChoice #EducationPolicy #Parenting #Education #SchoolFunding #Colorado #PublicVsPrivate #EducationReform
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PARENTS ARE OUT OF OPTIONS!

Ep. 2: Colorado lawmakers are facing a massive state budget deficit, and education funding may be caught in the crossfire. In this episode of Learning Curve, Ross Izzard and Erin Brantley break down a proposal that could cut funding for homeschool enrichment programs in half, reducing part-time student funding from 50% to 25% of per-pupil funding. These programs allow homeschool families to access public school resources for things like: -agricultural and outdoor education -music and arts programs -engineering and construction training -academic support and experiential learning But with an estimated $850 million budget deficit, legislators are looking for places to cut spending, and these increasingly popular programs may be on the chopping block. Ross and Erin discuss: -Why Colorado’s budget deficit is growing -How Medicaid spending is impacting the state budget -What homeschool enrichment programs actually do -Why lawmakers are considering cuts -How this could impact families across the state, especially in rural communities. -Why even parents with kids in traditional public schools should pay attention -They also explain why this proposal could set an important precedent for the future of school choice in Colorado. If you’re a parent, educator, or Colorado resident interested in education policy, this is an important conversation to follow. 👍 Like and subscribe for more conversations about education policy that impact real families. 📩 Have a question or topic you’d like us to cover? Email us at info@learningcurveco.org
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Where Are Colorado's Missing Kids?

Education policy affects every family, but most parents have no idea where the decisions impacting their kids are actually made. In this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley and Ross Izard break down why parents need to start paying closer attention to education policy and how those decisions shape what happens in classrooms across Colorado. From school choice and charter schools to legislation coming out of the state capitol, policies created by lawmakers, school boards, and education departments eventually trickle down to the daily experience of students and families. The problem? Many parents only discover these changes after they’ve already been implemented. Erin shares her perspective as a Colorado parent navigating the public school system, while Ross brings years of experience working in education policy, lobbying, and government relations. Together, they aim to make complicated education policies understandable and show parents where they can actually engage in the process. Because when it comes to education policy, self-governance isn’t a spectator sport. If parents want a voice in decisions affecting their children’s education, they need to understand where those decisions originate, and how to influence them. In this episode, we discuss: Why education policy is more complex than ever Where school decisions actually get made How policies from the legislature trickle down to your child’s classroom The role of school boards, state agencies, and federal policy Why parent involvement in education policy matters now more than ever If you're a parent, educator, or concerned citizen who wants to better understand how education policy works, this podcast is for you. 📩 Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Email us at info@learningcurveco.org 👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow Learning Curve for weekly discussions breaking down the policies shaping education in Colorado.
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Learning Curve Ep1 - Why Parents Must Pay Attention!

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We educate and inform citizens, legislators, opinion-makers and the media about Freedom: individual Freedom, economic Freedom and journalistic Freedom. Since 1985, we’ve put ideas into action through groundbreaking legislation, coalition-building, ballot initiatives and investigative reporting. We are dedicated to advancing policy that protects and advances Freedom.

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