Monday Churn: Busy week ahead

What’s churning:

There’s a lot to watch on the Colorado education scene this week. Tuesday, the Educational Success Task Force is expected to start narrowing the bill ideas it may propose to the 2012 legislature and, on Wednesday, the State Board of Education again takes up some of the key issues facing it this fall, including educator evaluation rules.

Thursday’s Colorado Commission on Higher Education meeting may provide further indications of what commissioners are thinking about priorities for the higher education master plan they are creating.

It’s also a busy week for school board candidate forums.

In case you missed it: Education Secretary Arne Duncan, along with U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.,  on Friday announced a new federal initiative to improve teacher preparation. Details & links

What’s on tap / Meetings:

TODAY

Campaign contribution and spending reports are due from the committees supporting and opposing Proposition 103. It’s also the deadline to register to vote for the Nov. 1 election.

TUESDAY

The Educational Success Task Force meets from 1-5 p.m. at the Community College System offices, 9101 E. Lowry Blvd. The legislator/citizen study panel will be considering legislation it might recommend, including possible changes in high school testing. Agenda

The Douglas County school board has a 5:30 p.m. meeting at 620 Wilcox St. in Castle Rock. The public portion of the meeting is slated for 7:10 p.m. Agenda

The Aurora school board meets in closed session at 4:30 p.m. to discuss the superintendent’s contract. It convenes in public at 6 p.m. at 1085 Peoria St. The agenda includes a resolution in support of Proposition 103, the statewide ballot initiative to increase sales and income taxes for education.

WEDNESDAY

The State Board of Education meets from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the boardroom at 201 E. Colfax Ave. Top agenda items include briefings on implementation of the new state content standards and proposed graduation guidelines, plus another public hearing on proposed regulations for implementation of the educator effectiveness law. Agenda

Padres y Jovenes Unidos, an education advocacy group, will hold a 5 p.m. rally outside the Capitol to urge passage of legislation to reduce what the group believes is inappropriate disciplinary methods in many schools. The Legislative Task Force to Study School Discipline is considering possible legislation on the topic and meets next on Oct. 18.

The Adams 12-Five Star school board is hosting a community conversation about education values and priorities at 7 p.m. at Thornton High School, 9351 Washington St. More

THURSDAY

The Colorado Commission on Higher Education meets starting at 10 a.m. at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. The agenda hasn’t been posted yet, but much of the commission’s time at meetings this fall will be devoted to work on the higher education master plan called for by 2011 legislation.

Jefferson County school board members meet at 5 p.m. in closed session to discuss their superintendent’s evaluation. The public portion is scheduled to begin about 6 p.m. at 1829 Denver West Drive in Golden. The agenda includes discussion on a motion to support Proposition 103, the statewide ballot initiative to raise taxes to increase education funding.

Denver Public Schools board members meet at 4:30 p.m. in closed session to discuss their superintendent’s evaluation. They convene in public at about 5:30 p.m. for a work session focusing on the district’s School Performance Framework results and Denver Plan goals. Agenda

What’s on tap / Campaign events:

TODAY

DPS District 5 candidates Jennifer Draper Carson and Arturo Jimenez will appear at a 6 p.m. forum at North High School, 2960 N. Speer Blvd.

DPS at-large candidates will participate in a 7 p.m. forum at East High School, 1600 City Park Esplanade.

Jefferson County school board candidates have a 7 p.m. forum at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 11500 West 20th Ave., in Lakewood.

WEDNESDAY

Candidates for DPS at-large and District 5 will be featured during a 7 p.m. forum at Democratic Party headquarters, 777 Santa Fe Drive.

Jefferson County school board candidates have a 7 p.m. forum at the Columbine Library, 7706 W. Bowles Ave., in Littleton.

THURSDAY

All DPS candidates have a 6:30 p.m. forum at Bruce Randolph School, 3955 Steele St.

FRIDAY

A forum on Proposition 103 will be held at 7:30 a.m. the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs in the second-floor Terrace Room at 1380 Lawrence St. Participants include proponent state Sen. Rollie Heath, opponent Penn Pfiffer of the Independence Institution, political consultant Eric Sondermann and Todd Snidow of bond house George K. Baum and Co. RSVP here