Monday Churn: Campus boom

What’s churning:

The number of new Colorado students enrolling at state colleges and universities could grow 40,000, nearly 21 percent, by 2021.

The estimate was given to the Colorado Commission of Higher Education Friday, based on research done by a national consulting firm, Noel-Levitz.

But that “natural” growth won’t fulfill the state goal of doubling the number of degrees and certificates awarded by 2020, consultant Scott Bodfish told the commission. State institutions granted about 47,000 degrees and certificates last year.

The growth will show a shift in the kinds of students, with greater growth in adult undergraduates over age 25 and in Hispanic students, Bodfish said. The report predicts 80 percent of the growth will come from Front Range counties.

Current enrollment at the 28 state institutions is about 258,000, including resident and out-of-state students.

The state Charter School Institute has issued its 2012 call for applications from groups that want to open new schools for 2013-14.

Applicants should submit initial letters of intent by May 30, and full applications are due Aug. 22. Get more information here.

What’s on tap:

TODAY

The Denver Public Schools board finance and audit committee meets at 4:30 p.m. at district offices, 900 Grant St.
WEDNESDAY

It’s the final day of the 2012 regular legislative session.

The State Board of Education meets at 9 a.m. in the boardroom at 201 E. Colfax Ave. Among agenda items are release of the 2012 third grade TCAP reading scores. Agenda

The St. Vrain Valley board is scheduled to meet at 7:00 p.m. at the Educational Services Center, 395 South Pratt Parkway in Longmont.

FRIDAY

University of Colorado Boulder graduation ceremonies will start at 8:30 a.m. at Folsom Field. Details

Good reads from elsewhere:

Researchers defend Common Core: A new study concludes that the Common Core Standards for match are consistent with those in high-achieving nations and could improve student learning if appropriately implemented. EdWeek has the details.

Grading schools: A new Arizona A-F school rating system is intended to prod schools to help lagging students improve, so a school with a high percentage of students passing state tests could still bet a B or C if the bottom 25 percent of students don’t improve enough. See this story from the Arizona Republic.

The EdNews’ Churn is a daily roundup of briefs, notes and meetings in the world of Colorado education. To submit an item for consideration in this listing, please email us at EdNews@EdNewsColorado.org.