school finance
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Interim committee tasks Maryland company with Colorado school finance work
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A legislative committee looking at the school finance act Wednesday announced they’ve picked the company that will help take the deep dive into how the state pays for public schools. Cross and Joftus, based in Maryland, will take on the heavy lifting over the next year to figure out the solutions to Colorado’s strange mix…
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State debuts closer look at how Colorado’s public schools spend tax dollars
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Coloradans will have a chance to better understand how the state’s public schools are spending tax dollars after the state education department launched a new website Friday that tracks annual financial data. Commissioned by state lawmakers in 2014, the website reports how much money each school and district collects from federal, state and local taxes, and donations…
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Noonan: Double deja vu all over again in the state’s world of public education
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Once again, Colorado’s public education system will both re-vision and offer new standardized tests. It’s useful that the two projects happen at the same time, but only if fresh eyes and minds are put to the task. Let’s hold our breath. Colorado Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne will fulfill Gov. John Hickenlooper’s executive order to restart…
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Noonan: Poor school funding over eight years leads to low four-year state graduation rates
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Colorado’s four-year high school graduation rate is bad. That should be no surprise. According to Education Week, Colorado achieved a 77 percent graduation rate in 2016, seventh from the bottom. Neighbor New Mexico has the lowest rate at 69 percent and Nebraska has the second highest rate at 90 percent. It’s interesting that road quality in…
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Republicans accused of ‘hijacking’ education funding in the name of charter schools
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Democrats and the state’s largest teachers’ union say Republicans have hijacked a critical school funding measure in the name of charter schools. The annual School Finance Act, which lawmakers are constitutionally obligated to pass each year, was amended on Thursday to include equitable funding for charter schools. Republicans, led by Sen. Owen Hill of Colorado…
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Amid school funding woes, Kansas teachers seek state office
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Grade-school teacher Brett Parker now is a pupil of campaign politics, gleaning lessons as he knocks on doors in Overland Park, Kansas House District 29. He is among dozens of current or retired educators across Kansas seeking legislative seats in Topeka, The KansasCity Star reports. The curriculum can be tough. On one recent outing, sweat soaked through Parker’s polo shirt. At…
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Meek: Colorado Priorities initiative gives Coloradans control over spending
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Coloradans, start your research. With 24 ballot proposals approved for petition circulation, your signature is highly desired and you are the deciders as to which ones reach the ballot. These initiatives have a direct impact on our quality of life in Colorado and it’s our responsibility to be informed, engaged and part of this process.…
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Hullinghorst: Without fanfare, divided chambers achieved a great deal
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Some have argued this was a do-nothing legislative session. While some of the bigger, flashier items did not get through both chambers, with less fanfare, we did in fact achieve a great deal. Our bipartisan workforce development package included a paradigm-shifting program to get industries more involved in classroom education, a program to incentivize school…
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Jones: Thank you for the recognition, but educating students requires more than free food
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Free burritos, free tacos and margaritas and discounted fried chicken sandwiches. These aren’t the happy hour specials at the local bar, but tokens of appreciation awarded to educators during Teacher Appreciation week. I understand the good intentions – and I love a good margarita – but does our society make these same offers to physicians,…
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Flood: Charter school students deserve equal footing on funding
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Charter schools have been part of Colorado’s public school family for over 20 years and currently serve over 108,000 kids in 226 schools across the state. If combined, charters would represent the largest school district in Colorado. Despite this enormous popularity and success, charter public school students remain at a distinct disadvantage when it comes…
