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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.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

Ep. 25 Colorado voters have repeatedly backed funding for free school meals, but how much will the program ultimately cost? In this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley and Ross Izard take a closer look at Colorado’s Healthy School Meals for All program, how the state pays for it, why additional funding has been needed, and whether taxpayers could be asked to contribute even more in the future. They also tackle another important question: Are students actually getting the healthy meals voters thought they were paying for? From rising food costs and rural distribution challenges to food quality and waste, providing universal school meals is more complicated than simply putting lunch on a tray. In this episode: -How Colorado’s universal school meal program is funded -Why additional revenue has been needed -Whether taxpayers could face future funding requests -The challenges of food costs, preparation, and distribution -Whether students are actually eating the meals being provided -What parents should be asking their schools about school nutrition -Do you think Colorado should continue providing free school meals to every student, regardless of income? And how much is too much to spend? Let us know what you think in the comments. #ColoradoEducation #SchoolLunch #EducationPolicy #Colorado #LearningCurve When Does “Free” School Lunch Get Too Expensive?

When Does “Free” School Lunch Get Too Expensive?

Ep. 24: Colorado was recently ranked #1 in education by U.S. News & World Report, but does that mean Colorado students are actually performing better in the classroom? On this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley and Ross Izard dig beneath the headline to examine what actually goes into Colorado's #1 ranking. They break down the role of preschool enrollment, higher education attainment, graduation outcomes, and K–12 academic performance, and ask whether the ranking tells the whole story about Colorado schools. They also look at Colorado's reading and math proficiency numbers, education spending, school choice, and a much bigger question: -How should we actually measure whether an education system is succeeding? -Is Colorado truly #1 in education, or does the answer depend on what we're measuring? Join Erin Brantley and Ross Izard for a deeper look at the numbers behind the headline. Subscribe to Learning Curve for more conversations about Colorado education, parents, students, policy, and the issues shaping our schools. Colorado Is #1 in Education... But What Does That Really Mean?

Colorado Is #1 in Education... But What Does That Really Mean?

Ep 23: How much power does the Colorado State Board of Education actually have? Most Coloradans know their local school board, but few understand the role of the State Board of Education, or how its decisions shape education policy across the entire state. In this episode of Learning Curve, Ross Izzard breaks down: -How the Colorado State Board of Education is elected -The board's relationship with the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) -Who hires the Commissioner of Education -How board rules can carry the force of law -The board's role in charter schools, waivers, and school accountability -Why these monthly meetings matter far more than most people realize Whether you're a parent, educator, policymaker, or simply interested in how Colorado's education system works, this episode provides a practical overview of one of the state's most influential, and least understood, governing bodies. 👍 If you enjoy Colorado education policy discussions, be sure to like this video, subscribe, and leave a comment with topics you'd like us to cover next. #Colorado #Education #LearningCurve #StateBoardOfEducation #ColoradoPolitics #SchoolChoice #EducationPolicy #PublicEducation #CharterSchools #ColoradoSchools The Education Rules You Never Voted For

The Education Rules You Never Voted For

Ep. 22 Nearly one in four Colorado students is now considered chronically absent. Why does that matter, and what can be done to reverse the trend? In this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley breaks down Colorado's chronic absenteeism crisis, explains how it differs from truancy, and explores why attendance has remained well above pre-pandemic levels. You'll learn what qualifies as chronic absenteeism, why even excused absences count, how it impacts student achievement, and what Colorado is doing to improve attendance across the state. In this episode: -What chronic absenteeism actually means -Why missing just two days of school each month can have long-term consequences -Colorado's latest attendance data and statewide trends -The difference between chronic absenteeism and truancy -The lasting effects of COVID-19 on student attendance -Colorado's "Every School Day Matters" initiative -Practical steps parents can take to improve attendance Whether you're a parent, educator, policymaker, or simply interested in education, this episode explains why attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and share it with someone interested in improving education in Colorado. #Colorado #Education #Schools #LearningCurve #ChronicAbsenteeism #Attendance #K12 #EducationPolicy #Parents #ColoradoSchools 1 in 4 Colorado Students Is Missing Too Much School

1 in 4 Colorado Students Is Missing Too Much School