Today, we live in a society of instant gratification – with one click, you can order just about anything online and have it delivered to your door. Seemingly endless information is shared via the web and social media with just the touch of a button. As a father, business owner, and legislator, I like getting fast results just as much as the next person. But during my seven years in office, I’ve learned that good policy is one area where we can’t afford to hope things happen overnight, especially when it comes to educating Colorado’s kids.

I was first elected in 2008, early enough to see some of the state’s most exciting education legislation take shape. In 2008, Senate Bill 212, also known as CAP4K (Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids), added rigorous standards to our state’s system, ensuring that students in every district not only would be held to the same high bar but also would graduate post-secondary and workforce ready. Business leaders and others were tired of kids leaving high school without enough knowledge in English, math and other subjects. I recall the story of a valedictorian that couldn’t read their diploma. This is what brought about reform. Seven years later, as a result of this important policy the Colorado Academic Standards and the aligned CMAS assessments were fully implemented for the first time. We know from other states that made the same changes ahead of us that, if we take the time to see these changes through, we also will see student academic improvement and more kids ready for college and career.

We need to allow time for implementation before changing course. The results of policies like CAP4K have not been instant, and both Republicans and Democrats have responded by saying they want to roll it back. Instead of giving standards and assessments a chance to work, they want to abandon them. But like most worthwhile changes, this one will take time. I’m disappointed that some of my colleagues are turning their backs on improvements before they even have a chance to get early results back.

Standards and assessments are not the only victims of this slowdown. The same goes for other policies that I worked hard to pass during my tenure, such as SB10-191, the Great Teachers and Leaders Act, and SB12-1238, the READ Act, both are under pressure this session to repeal or scale back. All these policies have characteristics in common: they boldly clear away bureaucracy, passed with bipartisan support, increase transparency and put the focus of the entire system on student achievement. These are accomplishments that signal progress, yet despite that, several colleagues on both side of the aisle want to stop it in its tracks. It’s the wrong move, given that these are good policies that deserve the time needed to implement and immerse in the system.

We can look to states that have enacted similar reforms for evidence that these policies work if given time. In 2002, Florida adopted a comprehensive K-3 reading policy into law. It was similar to Colorado’s READ Act. Since the policy change, student outcomes improved dramatically. By 2010, Florida third graders scoring at the lowest achievement level on the statewide reading assessment declined by 41 percent.

I understand why the conversation this session has leaned toward rolling back, opting out and stopping change. These policies haven’t been the “quick fixes” that everyone would like to see miraculously transform the public school system. Of course, all of us want things to move faster, for kids to learn more, be better prepared – right now. But my colleagues are missing a critical opportunity to lead. Instead of focusing on these knee-jerk reactions, they need to take the long view. It is the job of elected officials to realize that, even though our constituents may be looking for a silver bullet, truly meaningful improvement will take more than that. It is our job to explain why these changes, though time consuming, are absolutely worth it for our kids. I think most of my colleagues know these things – that change is hard, long-fought and worth it in the end. But this session, it seems like memories have run short when it comes to the difficult, long-term process of following through on good policy.

A personal experience this year helped me remember how anything worth doing well and right needs to be given time, regardless of our penchant for instant gratification. I got in a bad skiing accident this January and was left with two plates and 20-plus screws in my leg. Not only was I unable to walk, but doctor’s orders required staying in bed with my leg in the air 23 ½ hours a day. Of course, I wanted to get back on my feet immediately. There was so much to do and so little time to accomplish it – I didn’t want to let an injury get in my way. But I learned through past experience that healing and caring for my injury was well worth the time spent.

Our education system deserves the same kind of self-care and time to improve. Attempts to repeal important yet challenging changes are misguided and I encourage my colleagues to consider the long-term vision necessary to lead the state’s education system to a better place.

– Rep. Kevin Priola is a Republican representing Henderson.