Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Nic Garcia

Nic Garcia is the deputy bureau chief at Chalkbeat Colorado. He covers the state department of education, the State Board and the legislature.

money money money

Colorado
May 5, 2017

Deal that will send $30 million to Colorado rural schools clears major hurdle

While the bill is likely to remembered as one of the greatest bipartisan compromises of the decade, it is not without detractors.

Throw down

Colorado
May 5, 2017

Colorado Democrats block charter school funding mandate in larger spending bill

State Sen. Owen Hill vowed to work with House Democrats who have raised objections to the charter school funding bill to find a compromise.

waning days

Colorado
May 4, 2017

Charter school funding fight — and a contentious amendment — shake up Colorado school finance debate

State lawmakers have only a few days to resolve one of its most contentious debates — and fund all the state's public schools.

rejected

Colorado
May 4, 2017

Colorado schools can’t sue to overturn Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, judge rules

The decision is the latest development in a long-running legal challenge to the 1992 constitutional amendment.

teacher voice

Colorado
May 3, 2017

Two Colorado educators spent months crafting a piece of legislation. Now it’s about to become state law.

The two teachers are part of a fellowship that aims to get teachers more involved in creating policy, rather than reacting to it.
Colorado
May 3, 2017

Rise & Shine: Why a Colorado high school student left one school district for another

COLLECTIONS Colorado schools will no longer be allowed to withhold students’ transcripts or prohibit them from participating in graduation ceremonies if they have unpaid fines.

collections

Colorado
May 2, 2017

Unpaid school fines? In Colorado, it’s no longer an obstacle to getting your transcripts

The bill puts an end to a practice established in 1999 that supporters say has disproportionately harmed the state’s poorest students.

a new standard

Colorado
May 2, 2017

The Colorado State Board of Education is getting more authority to reject waiver requests

Schools seeking innovation status must now prove to the state that the plan will “enhance educational opportunity, standards and quality” at the school.

Show me the money

Colorado
May 1, 2017

Colorado rural school aid bill turns into tug-of-war about who should get how much

As part of the new deal that was reached, the state would raise money for schools by increasing taxes on recreational marijuana to 15 percent, the maximum allowed.

Show me the money

Colorado
April 27, 2017

Colorado Senate Republicans push charter school funding in annual school spending bill

While Thursday’s hearing was a crucial step in finalizing funding for schools, the conversation is far from over.

maybe next year

Colorado
April 26, 2017

Senate Republicans kill bill that would have taken broad look at public education in Colorado

The death of House Bill 1287 puts another bipartisan piece of legislation on shaky ground.

the fiscal thicket

Colorado
April 26, 2017

Everyone hates how Colorado funds its schools. So who is going to fix it?

Multiple efforts to stave off a financial crisis for schools are under way, including legislation that would create a committee to develop a new way to fund schools.
Colorado
April 26, 2017

Rise & Shine: Boulder teachers show support for superintendent who is on paid leave

TAKING ACTION Students at a struggling high school in Commerce City took to the streets Tuesday to let district officials know they want a new principal and…

Vision quest

Colorado
April 24, 2017

Is Colorado’s school ‘vision bill’ doomed?

Senate leadership question the bill's intent.

Two for one

Colorado
April 21, 2017

Schools in Pueblo, Greeley up next as state sorts out struggling schools

Like all the schools facing state intervention, the five before the state board Monday serve large populations of poor and Latino students.

life support

Colorado
April 20, 2017

Partisan bickering puts financial lifeline for rural schools in danger

What makes Senate Bill 267 so controversial is that the cornerstone of the bill would redesignate a fee collected by the state that helps pay for Medicaid.
Colorado
April 19, 2017

Rise & Shine: How a scheduling change is improving a Fountain middle school

MONEY MATTERS Nearly 70 percent of the money donated to former state Sen. Michael Johnston’s gubernatorial bid in the first quarter of 2017 came from outside…

money matters

Colorado
Updated April 18, 2017

Out-of-state donations stand out in Michael Johnston’s first campaign finance report in governor’s race

Johnston’s national support could work both for and against him, political observers say.
Colorado
April 17, 2017

Landmark school discipline reform legislation killed by Republicans on Colorado Senate panel

A bipartisan attempt to reform how Colorado schools discipline their youngest students died Monday, even after the bill’s sponsors offered amendments to placate rural school…

Show me the money

Colorado
April 17, 2017

Why a key piece of legislation to fund Colorado schools is on hold

Both chambers are accusing the other of holding up the process.

‘identity politics?'

Colorado
April 13, 2017

Vote on Colorado education plan erupts into war of words over which kids benefit

Ultimately, the board agreed to send the 145-page plan to Washington, D.C., for approval.

a reason for hope

Colorado
April 13, 2017

Failing online charter school leaders pledge greater focus on student test scores, better teachers

Leaders of HOPE Online charter school, facing state intervention for poor performance, pledged Thursday to improve teacher quality, hold themselves more accountable and renew their…

A reason to HOPE?

Colorado
April 12, 2017

HOPE Online charter school would dodge closure under state plan, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe

The meeting with the state board comes after HOPE failed to improve during the last seven years.
Colorado
April 12, 2017

Rise & Shine: 2018 gubernatorial race should feature education issues a plenty

LEGISLATING DISCIPLINE An examination of state data on out-of-school suspensions of young students shows that boys — and boys of color — are just as likely…

Lifeline

Colorado
April 11, 2017

Rural aid package, including $400 million for rural schools, advances in Colorado Senate

Even with enough votes to get out of the Republican-controlled Senate — something unimaginable just a few months ago — the bill’s fate remains uncertain.

A lifeline

Colorado
April 10, 2017

Colorado rural schools, many strapped for cash, could get a boost from lawmakers

Colorado rural schools shouldn’t cash any checks just yet. Both political parties would need to make major concessions for it to advance.

crowded field

Colorado
April 10, 2017

Cary Kennedy jumps into Colorado governor’s race, citing need to pay teachers “as professionals”

Congressman Ed Perlmutter, former State Sen. Michael Johnston also are part of what could be a crowded Democratic field in 2018.

Testing Time

Colorado
April 7, 2017

The new-look SAT is here, ushering in more changes to how Colorado tests kids

The shift from the ACT, to the SAT comes as the state continues to refine its testing system amid a public backlash against standardized tests.

Give a little - take a little

Colorado
April 6, 2017

Colorado lawmakers reach compromise on reading test controversy

A years-long controversy over what language Colorado schools should use to test the reading skills of young English language learners appears to be over.
Colorado
April 5, 2017

Rise & Shine: DU professor creates app to help young students learn math

RURAL ROADBLOCK Legislation that would significantly limit suspensions and expulsions for Colorado’s youngest students has hit a late and possibly fatal roadblock — opposition…

Off to the races

Colorado
April 3, 2017

This Denver high school student is running for a school board seat. (Yes, he’s 18.)

A majority of seats on the Denver school board are up for grabs this November.

game plan

Colorado
April 3, 2017

Does Colorado’s state education plan fall flat? Some who helped write it think so.

The department expects to file the plan after it receives feedback from the governor’s office and the state board takes a formal vote on the plan at its April meeting.

Funding fight

Colorado
March 30, 2017

Colorado House Speaker Crisanta Duran says charter school funding bill needs to address equity

Duran didn’t say when she’d make a decision about a committee assignment.

money matters

Colorado
March 30, 2017

Colorado schools will see slight increase in funding under budget approved by Senate

Some worry the extra money won't be enough to help schools pay for increased costs.

she said - he said

Colorado
March 30, 2017

Colorado U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet: DeVos ‘wrong’ about school choice in Denver

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado on Thursday fired back at U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos for her criticism of Denver Public Schools’ nationally recognized…
Colorado
March 29, 2017

Rise & Shine: Pueblo school board hears options for struggling schools facing intervention

FACE OF OPPOSITION  The Colorado Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, is working to fuel opposition to a bill that would boost charter school…

Funding fight

Colorado
March 28, 2017

In Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Colorado’s teachers union finds a useful face for the opposition

The union isn’t the only group using DeVos’s image to oppose legislation making its way through the statehouse.

Vision quest

Colorado
March 27, 2017

Colorado lawmakers want to reimagine the state’s schools. Here’s how.

The plan, they think, could create enough support to convince voters to send more money to schools as needed.

2018

Colorado
March 23, 2017

Salazar won’t run in governor’s race featuring strong education storylines

In a Denver Post commentary explaining why isn’t running, Salazar took a broad view of the challenges in education.

SCOTUS on IDEA

Colorado
March 22, 2017

U.S. Supreme Court, in landmark decision, strengthens rights for students with disabilities

Students with learning disabilities are due “appropriately ambitious” education plans that ensure they will advance through public schools similarly to other students.
Colorado
March 22, 2017

Rise & Shine: Trump’s plan for student-based budgeting

STATE OF THE UNION Seven upstart candidates are challenging incumbent leaders in this week’s Denver teachers union election. The outcome will provide a sense of…

The perennial debate

Colorado
March 20, 2017

How the heck does Colorado fund its schools? (And six other money questions you might be embarrassed to ask.)

Since public schools were founded, arguments have raged over how to pay for them. Colorado is no exception.

Not ready for prime time

Colorado
March 20, 2017

Lawmaker kills bill that would have allowed unlicensed teachers in rural Colorado classrooms

Along with providing flexibility on hiring unlicensed teachers, House Bill 1178 would have created a process for rural schools to receive waivers from state law.

cloudy with a chance of cuts

Colorado
March 17, 2017

Colorado schools face an uphill battle as lawmakers wrestle with budget

The impact on schools is unclear. But a growing consensus from budget officials, lawmakers and observers is that the state’s education funding shortfall will grow.

Human Resources

Colorado
March 17, 2017

Colorado’s rural schools need teachers and want lawmakers to help

Lawmakers are considering three bills that supporters believe could help schools — especially those in rural areas like La Veta — combat a teacher shortage that is only expected to get worse.

checking in

Colorado
March 14, 2017

It’s halfway point at Colorado legislature. Here’s what matters to Colorado classrooms.

Colorado lawmakers have 57 days left to make moves on education policy.
Colorado
March 14, 2017

Rise & Shine: Lawmakers consider tax reform to help pay for local schools

FAULT LINES Colorado senators gave initial support to a bill that would require the state’s school districts to equally share voter-approved tax increases with their…
Colorado
March 13, 2017

Corporal punishment bill goes down in Colorado Senate committee

Sponsors of the bill could not point to a single occurrence of corporal punishment happening in Colorado schools or publicly-funded day care centers today.

'fault lines'

Colorado
March 13, 2017

Bill to equally fund Colorado charter schools earns first OK from Senate with changes giving districts more time

The bipartisan approval came after two days of intense debate that rehashed longstanding arguments over the role of charter schools.
Colorado
March 9, 2017

State intervention set to begin at two low-performing rural school districts

The proposed changes for the Montezuma-Cortez and Julesburg school districts are relatively modest. But the board’s action is significant.