Event: How we can get more Colorado students to — and through — college

By 
Caroline Bauman
 | May 12, 2022, 3:45pm UTC
The title of an upcoming event, “Two Colorados: How we can get more students to — and through — college” is displayed against a blue background. Next to the words, a photo displays a person walking on a college campus.
Too few students of color and from rural areas graduate college. Join Chalkbeat Colorado and Young Invincibles for a panel discussion with students and teachers on what could help. (Design by Lauren Bryant / Chalkbeat)

When it comes to getting a college degree, there are two Colorados. 

Colorado is a highly educated state, yet there are wide disparities in degree attainment among Coloradans. The gaps are greatest for students of color and those from rural communities. 

Chalkbeat Colorado launched its higher education coverage in 2020. Building off our reporting, we want to host a conversation about the “two Colorados.” What are the barriers preventing students, especially students of color or those from rural backgrounds, from getting to and through higher education? What do students and educators want to see change? What are the success stories that Colorado can learn from?  Come hear students, experts, and educators talk on May 18, 4-5 p.m. MT about these issues and potential solutions.

Join Chalkbeat Colorado and Young Invincibles for a panel discussion with students and teachers. Please RSVP for this event so we’re able to provide the webinar information and hear your ideas for questions. This event is free to attend, but any optional donations will go to support Chalkbeat’s nonprofit journalism and events such as these.

The panel features:

  • Jason Gonzales, the higher education and legislative matters reporter for Chalkbeat Colorado
  • Nicole Cappellino, a first-generation Colombian student studying criminal justice at the University of Colorado Denver
  • Nathan Cadena, Denver Scholarship Foundation’s chief operating officer
  • Cecilia M. Orphan, an associate professor of higher education at the University of Denver and director of partnerships for the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges
  • Malcom Lovejoy, a senior at Campo High School who is preparing to attend Rice University this fall after graduation
  • Will Simpkins, vice president for student affairs at Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • Luis Borrego-Castaneda, graduating student from Colorado School of Mines 
The Latest
Irvington Community Schools board chair resigns, another board member removed after public outcry

The resignation of the Irvington Community Schools board chair — and the vote to remove a second member from the board — follows heightened criticism from students, parents, and staff over conflicts of interest in the charter network’s search for a new CEO.

By 
Amelia Pak-Harvey
 | Today, 2:12am UTC
Detroit school district shows gains in nearly every subject on state assessments since before COVID

Though the district is still behind statewide averages, it has shown consistent improvement over the course of 11 years.

By 
Hannah Dellinger
and
Micah Walker, BridgeDetroit
 | August 27
‘Moving in the wrong direction’: Colorado’s chronic absenteeism rate increased last school year

A student is chronically absent if they miss 10% or more of their school days. The new data is bad news for the state’s goal to cut chronic absenteeism in half.

By 
Melanie Asmar
 | August 27
After two senior officials step down from NYC schools, Chancellor Aviles-Ramos names replacements

Dan Weisberg, the system’s second-in-command, and Deputy Chancellor Emma Vadehra, are stepping down. The pair were leading implementation of a new class size mandate.

By 
Alex Zimmerman
 | August 27
Indiana virtual programs that work with Union schools announce new district partner

Beech Grove is teaming up with the programs run by Stride/K12 to respond to growth in virtual enrollment.

By 
Aleksandra Appleton
 | August 27
Michigan third grade student proficiency on M-STEP exam reaches a new low

State Superintendent Michael Rice said the Michigan Legislature must provide children with lower class sizes in high poverty K-3 classrooms, more in-person instructional time, and funding for more research-based early literacy materials.

 | August 27