Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Colorado Education Association

Mended Fences

Colorado
1 day ago

Despite earlier attack ads, Colorado teachers union endorses Jared Polis for governor

The endorsement is not a surprise given that teachers unions have traditionally been associated with the Democratic Party.

meet the new boss

Colorado
August 3, 2018

New Colorado teachers union chief: Spring walkouts raised public awareness of school needs

Amie Baca-Oehlert, a school counselor from the Adams 12 district north of Denver, recently took the helm of the 35,000-member Colorado Education Association.

Situation Normal

Colorado
June 27, 2018

Colorado teachers unions will feel a limited impact from the Supreme Court’s Janus decision

Colorado’s teachers unions have been living in a post-Janus world for decades.

Now it gets real

Colorado
June 26, 2018

What the primary results in Colorado’s governor’s race mean for education

Democrat Jared Polis and Republican Walker Stapleton are seeking to replace Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper.

Analysis

Colorado
May 31, 2018

How education reform became a wedge issue among Colorado Democrats this election year

This election season has the potential to change what’s considered mainstream Democratic education policy in Colorado.

reality check

Colorado
May 10, 2018

Colorado lawmakers’ pension compromise raises teacher retirement age, cuts benefits

The deal that emerged from 12 hours of negotiations Wednesday was not the deal that many people expected to see when the day started.

first steps

Colorado
May 4, 2018

Why Colorado’s teacher shortage bills fall short

The legislative effort to address Colorado's teacher shortages will have only a modest impact because it fails to tackle the root causes.

Statistics

Colorado
May 1, 2018

Colorado was never ranked 46th for teacher pay. Does this change the debate?

The ranking has become a key feature of the school funding debate, and it’s unlikely to disappear from the public narrative anytime soon.

next steps

Colorado
April 30, 2018

After teacher rallies, the work ‘shifts to the local community level,’ Colorado union president says

Teachers need to convince local school boards to raise salaries, and they need to convince neighbors to vote for a statewide tax in November, the CEA president said.

Movers and shakers

Colorado
April 29, 2018

Colorado Education Association elects new president amid wave of teacher activism

Amie Baca-Oehlert is a high school counselor in Adams 12 Five Star who has been CEA vice president since 2012.

union power

Colorado
April 27, 2018

Sponsor of teacher strike ban won’t jail teachers, but unions are still a target

The teacher backlash to the strike ban came fast and furious.

Why Colorado's different

Colorado
April 26, 2018

Colorado teachers rallying at the Capitol will need voters’ help to make a big change

This is an unprecedented show of force that takes two-thirds of the state’s K-12 students out of school for a day.

Day without a Teacher

Colorado
April 23, 2018

These Colorado school districts are canceling classes for teacher protests

They include eight of the state’s 10 largest districts, serving more than 400,000 students.

strike that

Colorado
April 22, 2018

This Colorado bill would ban teacher strikes and hit violators with fines and jail time

The bill is unlikely to become law, but it speaks to concerns that a national wave of teacher activism could come to Colorado.

Red for ed

Colorado
April 13, 2018

A day of action by Colorado teachers will bring hundreds to the Capitol and already one district has canceled classes

Educators in Colorado are calling attention to school funding shortfalls — and in one case forcing a school district to cancel classes.

final ruling

Colorado
Updated March 12, 2018

Colorado’s high court: There’s no such thing as teacher tenure

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled against Denver teachers in a dispute over the district putting them on unpaid leave.

It takes a village

Colorado
February 22, 2018

What does it mean to be a community school? This Colorado bill would define it – and promote it.

Community schools are an old idea enjoying a resurgence in education circles with the support of teachers unions and other advocates.

out of pocket

Colorado
February 7, 2018

Colorado teachers spend hundreds of dollars on their classrooms, union survey says

The results come as state lawmakers are poised to debate again this year how much money to spend on schools.

Union Vote

Colorado
January 30, 2018

Cary Kennedy ‘aligns with all of our issues and values,’ teachers union president says in endorsement

Former State Treasurer Cary Kennedy has made increasing teacher pay a key part of her educational platform.

Follow the money

Colorado
October 17, 2017

Groups with a stake in Colorado’s school board elections raise $1.5 million to influence them

Teachers unions and education reformers are again throwing their efforts — and money — into high-profile races in Denver, Aurora, Dougco and elsewhere.

madame secretary

Colorado
July 13, 2017

Betsy DeVos is coming to Denver for a meeting of the conservative group ALEC — and protesters are ready

DeVos is speaking to the annual meeting of ALEC, which is influential in crafting conservative, free-market friendly legislation.

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.

ch-ch-changes

Colorado
November 21, 2016

Democrats have won control of the State Board of Education. So now what?

The Democrats differ on issues such as the viability of Colorado’s existing academic standards and the role of charter schools in public education.

Follow the money

Colorado
October 18, 2016

Colorado teachers union, reform groups find common ground on shifting political power on state board

Plus, the state's largest teachers union, in a rare move, is supporting a Republican for a state House race.

Dividing Lines

Colorado
July 6, 2016

Colorado is rethinking all of its major education policies. And everyone is jockeying for influence.

State Board of Education chairman Steve Durham has four ideas. See them here first.
Colorado
June 30, 2014

Educators, leaders join forces to spruce up two local schools

Educators from around the country — current, future and retired teachers, higher education faculty and educational support professionals — met Monday to beautify two Denver schools.
Colorado
April 15, 2014

Colorado teachers demand state drop PARCC tests

A majority of delegates at an annual meeting of the Colorado Education Association approved a resolution “demanding the state’s withdrawal from the PARCC assessment, and…
Colorado
February 18, 2014

Survey: Colorado teachers say there’s too much testing

Colorado teachers claim they’re spending too much of their time prepping and administering state mandated tests, a survey conducted by the state’s largest union found.
Colorado
February 13, 2014

Union hopes to extend “hold harmless” period for teacher evaluations while new tests are proven to be effective

The board of directors of the state’s largest teachers union is advocating for an extension of the “hold harmless” period before student performance associated with new…
Colorado
October 9, 2013

State board weighs in on lawsuit dispute

A unanimous State Board of Education on Wednesday joined the chorus of people urging the Colorado Education Association not to challenge the constitutionality of the state’s teacher evaluation law.