schools

Transportation funding progress is likely, but much could be left on the table

May 8, 2017

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Peter Marcus

State lawmakers say they have a deal that can mitigate some of the failures from not advancing a full transportation funding measure this year in the legislature. The proposal would create a 20-year bond program to direct $1.8 billion towards critical infrastructure, including roads and highways. Senate Bill 267 comes after a centerpiece transportation funding bill –…
Nicklas: Support legislation to eliminate lead exposure in children

May 8, 2017

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Dan Nicklas

Advocates in the Colorado health, education, and environmental communities strongly support House Bill 17-1306 to prevent and eliminate lead exposure in young children. This bill would provide grant funding for schools who wish to test their water for lead. Lead is particularly dangerous for young children because they absorb more of the toxic metal than…
New plan unveiled to raise money for critical Colorado state services with days left in legislature

May 1, 2017

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Peter Marcus

Despite a dramatic back-and-forth Monday over a plan to free money for critical state services, legislative leaders say they are close to a compromise. The proposal would create a 20-year bond program to direct $1.8 billion towards critical infrastructure, including roads and highways. The first iteration of the legislation started with a $1.35 billion bond program. Lawmakers…
Republicans accused of ‘hijacking’ education funding in the name of charter schools

May 1, 2017

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Peter Marcus

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…
Showdown over state budget raises possibility of a special session

Apr 17, 2017

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Peter Marcus

The House and Senate are on a collision course over the proposed annual state budget that has raised increasing concerns over the chance of a special session. “This puts different possibilities on the end of the session,” said Senate President Kevin Grantham, R-Canon City. Senate Republican leadership on Monday placed the blame on House Democrats…
Colorado Hospital Provider Fee bill crosses important first hurdle

Apr 11, 2017

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Peter Marcus

A Senate committee on Tuesday advanced bipartisan legislation that would finally pump money into ailing roads, schools and hospitals by restructuring the thorny Hospital Provider Fee. A conversation years in the making, Senate Bill 267 passed the Republican-controlled Senate Finance Committee 4-1. The bill now heads to appropriations for consideration, where it continues to face…
Landrum: Suspensions and expulsions should not occur in preschools

Mar 13, 2017

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Jennifer L

In many ways, preschool creates the foundation for school success. The Denver Preschool Program (DPP) believes strongly that early childhood education and preschool should offer a welcoming environment for every child. It is while attending preschool that children learn to love learning; when we use suspensions and expulsions, we send the opposite message. Such exclusionary…
Colorado public schools go on trial in legislature over assessments and performance

Feb 14, 2017

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Peter Marcus

The state’s public schools system went on trial Monday in the legislature. Lawmakers heard legislation regarding whether low-performing schools are doing enough to improve and whether assessments are properly evaluating student success. It’s a familiar debate, pitting advocates of charters, vouchers and other alternatives against supporters of a traditional system centered on neighborhood public schools. The assessment…
Elvrum: Parents are at the heart of school choice

Jan 30, 2017

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Jared Wright

Last week, Colorado and many other states celebrated National School Choice Week, which raises public awareness for all types of education options for children. The goal is to make a world-class education available for every child. While the type of best education differs for each child, ranging from public school to private school to online…
Autistic boy’s plea for better special education asks Supreme Court for national standard

Jan 4, 2017

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Tom Ramstack

The case of an autistic Colorado boy whose parents seek better special education for him could result in a national standard for educating disabled children when his lawsuit goes before the U.S. Supreme Court, according to educators and their attorneys. Some school districts complain the case could force them to shift more of their scarce…