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
Why do teachers leave? NYC students investigate

Episode 4 of P.S. Weekly tackles teacher turnover and how turbulent relationships between teachers and administrators might be a major contributing factor.

By 
Chalkbeat Staff
 | Today, 10:00am UTC
Trump administration targets CPS plan to support Black students, citing federal civil rights law

A federal investigation now targets Chicago schools’ long-awaited Black Student Success Plan. State law mandated the Chicago Board of Education create a plan to “bring parity between Black children and their peers.”

By 
Becky Vevea
 | April 29
Universal preschool enrollment is high, but program has few guardrails on quality, report finds

Colorado ranks third in the nation, after Washington, D.C. and Vermont, for the share of 4-year-olds served in its state-funded preschool program.

By 
Ann Schimke
 | April 29
The key question in the St. Isidore case: Are charter schools actually public schools?

Backers of a proposed religious charter school argue that charter schools are more private than public. The Supreme Court case could upend the charter sector, with implications for funding, autonomy and more.

By 
Erica Meltzer
 | April 28
Cellphone bans, artificial intelligence, and untying test scores from teacher evaluations are just some of the education issues Illinois lawmakers are considering

The Illinois legislative session is scheduled to end on May 31. Lawmakers are considering several education bills and negotiating the fiscal year 2024 budget. Here is what Chalkbeat is following.

By 
Samantha Smylie
 | April 28
Students with disabilities could be hit hardest by federal education changes, advocates say

Advocates warn that transferring federal special education oversight to another department could weaken enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and other disability rights laws, while jeopardizing funding, research, and implementation.

By 
Jessie Gómez
 | April 28