DOCSLIB.ORG

Full-Day Kindergarten: a Foundation for Learning in Colorado

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Full-Day Kindergarten: a Foundation for Learning in Colorado Full-Day Kindergarten: A foundation for learning in Colorado Colorado prospers when our kids thrive because they are our future workforce, leaders and community members. No matter where they live in our state—the plains, mountains, rural areas or urban centers—children need high-quality support for development. The foundation of our well-being in Colorado starts with a strong early childhood and education system— yet that base is currently missing a critical piece: statewide funding for full-day kindergarten. Why is full-day kindergarten such a wise investment? What is being proposed? • Better prepared children. The research on full-day kindergarten Fully fund full-day students rather than just and its benefits are robust and linked strongly to math and for a half-day literacy skills and overall academic growth. In addition, full- Parents will no longer face tuition costs and day kindergarten helps educators identify children with districts will free up resources previously spent on developmental delays and special learning needs earlier and full-day kindergarten to address local needs. This support them with appropriate interventions. proposal is not a mandate for school districts to offer full-day kindergarten nor is it a mandate for • Help for family budgets. Many parents, even those with low parents to enroll their children in a full day. Rather, incomes in many communities, must pay tuition to access a full- it adequately funds parents’ educational choices. day experience. With tuition reaching more than $4,500 per school year in some communities, this cost is either prohibitive Expand access to preschool or represents a strain on many family budgets that full funding Allow districts to retain ECARE slots currently could alleviate. used in kindergarten to expand access to preschool. • Help for school budgets. Many school districts, especially in rural areas, are already absorbing the cost of providing full-day How will this be paid for? kindergarten. Ensuring adequate state investment will alleviate Improved state revenue pressure on many school district budgets to invest in local Higher than expected property tax revenues, priorities such as teacher pay, smaller class sizes, and other in particular, have created flexibility in funding support services. for education. This allows the state to increase its investment in early learning and also add to • Expanded early learning. Fully funding full-day kindergarten the reserves to save for any future downturn, all frees up more than 5,000 early learning slots currently used to without raising taxes. support full-day kindergarten access for at-risk children. Only 24 percent of 4-year-olds in Colorado have access to state- funded preschool and there are several thousand children on our waitlist. Fully investing in full-day kindergarten allows us to open up preschool access for children to help ensure that they arrive in kindergarten ready to thrive. How do we sustain this? Sustainable revenue & rainy day savings The most recent revenue forecast includes higher than expected property tax revenues that allow this investment to be paid for within the existing budget and without having to cut from any other priorities. The budget proposal includes more than $180 million for reserves, allowing Colorado to save for a rainy day and sustain this investment in future years. The budget proposal also decreases the budget stabilization factor by $77 million, freeing up additional resources for districts to invest in local priorities. www.fulldayk.co Kindergarten Now Coalition Academy 20 School District Early Childhood Council San Luis Valley Adams 12 Five Star Schools Early Childhood Options Adams County School District 14 Early Childhood Partnership of Adams County AFT Colorado Education Reform Now Anna Jo Haynes, President Emeritus, Mile High Early Learning Elbert County Early Childhood Council Aurora Public Schools Englewood Schools Bent County Early Learning Center Environmental Learning for Kids Boulder Valley School District Executives Partnering to Invest in Children Bright by Three Gary Community Investments Bright Futures Great Education Colorado Bright Futures--Strong Start Program Greeley School District 6 Brush School District Harrison School District 2 Campo School District RE-6 Healthier Colorado Cañon City School District Fremont RE-1 Healthy Child Care Colorado Chelsie Hess, Ph.D., Colorado Mesa University, Huerfano- Las Animas Counties Early Childhood Council Assistant Professor of Psychology Illuminate Colorado Cherry Creek School District Jewish Community Relations Council Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 Junior League of Denver Children’s Hospital Colorado Kidpower of Colorado City of Aspen KIPP Colorado Schools Clayton Early Learning Kristie Kauerz, Ph.D., CU Denver School of Education and Colorado Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs Human Development Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children Lake County School District Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented Las Animas School District Colorado Association of School Boards Littleton Public Schools Colorado Association of School Executives Mapleton Public Schools Colorado Business Roundtable Mile High Early Learning Colorado Charter School Institute Mile High United Way Colorado Children’s Campaign Padres & Jovenes Unidos Colorado Education Association Parent Possible Colorado Latino Leadership Advocacy & Research PEAK Parent Center Organization (CLLARO) Pikes Peak Area School District Alliance Colorado League of Charter Schools Public Education & Business Coalition (PEBC) Colorado Nonprofit Association Pueblo District 60 Colorado PTA Rocky Ford School District Colorado Rural Schools Alliance Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Council Colorado State University Rose Community Foundation Colorado Succeeds Save the Children Action Network Community Foundation Boulder County Sheridan School District Council for a Strong America St. Vrain Valley School District Delta County School District Stand for Children Democrats for Education Reform Teach Plus Denver’s Early Childhood Council The Arc of Colorado Denver Preschool Program The Denver Foundation Denver Public Schools The Kempe Foundation Douglas County Federation/AFT CO The Women’s Foundation of Colorado Durango School District 9-R Together Colorado Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) Transform Education Now (TEN) Early Childhood Leadership Commission (ECLC) Westminster Public Schools Early Childhood Council of Boulder County Wiggins Preschool Early Childhood Council of La Plata County.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Federal Quick Reference
    CASB Federal Relations Network Quick Reference Guide The Colorado Association of School Boards represents local school boards who believe: Control of public school systems is best directed by locally elected boards of education and not legislated at the state or federal level. Local boards are better positioned to make effective decisions for children, as they are directly accountable to their communities for oversight, efficient use of financial resources and student outcomes. The role of the federal government is to support research, promote best practices and help ensure equal education opportunities for every child. Federal education requirements should be few in number, limited in scope, judiciously made and fully funded. PRIORITIES FEDERAL FUNDING FOR EDUCATION Fully fund IDEA, Title I and all other federally mandated programs. Eliminate all unfunded mandates. Distribute federal dollars by formula rather than by competitive grants. Grant writing requires time and energy which could be better spent working directly with students to improve achievement. Reimburse, in a timely manner, local districts for any costs, lost revenue or other financial impact resulting from federal activities or placement of Fully federal facilities and/or personnel in school districts. funded Provide greater and sustained resources for locally determined programs ADVANCING SCHOOL that are critical to school safety, such as school resource officers, school SAFETY counseling, emergency preparedness and response training and interagency coordination. Federal resources for school safety are spread across many agencies and a comprehensive guide should be published about where schools can access funding opportunities and/or technical assistance for disaster preparedness and emergency response operations. Provide greater and sustained federal resources that expand access to EDU- mental health services and support comprehensive “wrap-around” services to schools that include a range of community resources to address safety CATION & and intervention.
    [Show full text]
  • Meals for Kids out of School Denver Public Schools Announced They Are Serving Meals to All Students Between 8 A.M
    Meals for Kids out of school Denver Public Schools announced they are serving meals to all students between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., and then again from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. starting March 16 through April 3. • Abraham Lincoln High School • Bruce Randolph School • Cowell Elementary School • The Evie Dennis campus • Denver Center for International Studies Baker • Manual High School • The Montbello campus • North High School • Place Bridge Academy • Joe Shoemaker School • STRIVE Prep – Sunnyside Adams 12 School District will provide breakfast and lunch for children ages 1 to 18. Starting on March 17 and running through March 27, meals will be served between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. • Horizon High School – 5321 E. 136th Avenue, Thornton , CO • Legacy High School – 2701 W. 136th Avenue, Broomfield, CO • Mountain Range High School – 12500 Huron Street, Westminster, CO • Northglenn High School – 601 W 100th Place, Northglenn, CO • Thornton High School – 9351 N Washington Street, Thornton, CO Aurora Public Schools will provide breakfast and lunch to children under 18. They expect to start providing those meals starting on March 18, but no further details have been released. Boulder Valley School District will hand out meals on March 17 and 19 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the following locations: • Boulder — Columbine, Creekside, Crestview, University Hill Elementaries • Broomfield — Emerald Elementary • Lafayette — Pioneer and Sanchez Elementaries • Louisville — Louisville Middle School • Nederland — Nederland High School Brighton 27J School District will provide meals to children under 18 from March 17 until March 20 from 11 a.m.
    [Show full text]
  • April 3, 2020 Dear Community Members
    April 3, 2020 Dear Community Members, As many of you know, upon becoming aware of the spread of COVID-19 in Colorado and the myriad concerns inherent, school superintendents took action several weeks ago to protect students, staff and the community. We have been working hard to provide leadership guidance to families throughout Colorado. As school superintendents, we consult and collaborate many times each day to share thinking and to problem solve as a regional group. Two days ago, on April 1, Governor Polis announced extended closures of schools in Colorado through April 30, 2020. Over the past several weeks, we have spoken regularly and often to public health officials and state officials to better understand the timeline and path forward for the year, both with regard to COVID-19 and “traditional” school year expectations. We understand that there are not specific answers to exactly how and when we return to “life as normal” during this unprecedented health crisis. Given that, we must rely upon our best judgement and place safety above all else. What is clear is that there will not be definitive, universal guidance to proceed as normal. Rather, there will be a gradual lifting of restrictions and a step by step return to normalcy. What we do know is that once the “Stay at Home” orders are lifted, we will continue to have restrictions on social distancing and the size of group gatherings for at least several weeks, if not months. Given the nature of a school environment (classrooms, passing periods, buses, playgrounds, etc.), these restrictions are not practical within the school setting.
    [Show full text]
  • CWEL Directory
    COUNTY NAME DISTRICT CODE DISTRICT Liaison Name Email Number EL PASO 1040 Academy School District #20 Barron, Stephanie [email protected] 719 234-1327 ADAMS 0020 Adams 12 Five Star Schools Salas, Connie [email protected] 720-972-4783 ADAMS 0030 Adams 14 Jiron, Kim [email protected] 720-322-8103 ADAMS 0070 Westminster Public Schools Duffy, James [email protected] 720-542-5085 ARAPAHOE 0180 Adams/Arapahoe 28J Yates, Brian [email protected] 303-344-0854 ELBERT 0960 Agate School District #300 Ewing, Kendra [email protected] 719-764-2741 x201 LAS ANIMAS 1620 Aguilar School Neil, Archie [email protected] 719-651-5008 WASHINGTON 3030 Akron Weers, Britney [email protected] 970-345-0612 ALAMOSA 0100 Alamosa RE-11J Alejo, Robert [email protected] 719-587-1600 ARCHULETA 0220 Archuleta School District 50 Joint Hamilton, David [email protected] 970-264-2228 x405 WASHINGTON 3040 Arickaree School District R-2 Washington County Clarkson, Dave [email protected] 970-383-2202 KIT CARSON 1450 Arriba-Flagler Consolidated School District #20 McCleary, Valorie [email protected] 719-765-4684 x115 PITKIN 2640 Aspen School District Abraham, Heather [email protected] 970-925-3760 WELD 3145 Ault-Highland Weld RE-9 Walters, Jocelyn [email protected] 970-352-7404 ext 1104 LA PLATA 1530 Bayfield School District 10 JT-R Bogle, Adria [email protected] 970-247-3261 101 ADAMS 0050 Bennett School District 29J Matis, Debra Ann [email protected] 303-644-3234 X8202 KIT CARSON 1490 Bethune R-5 TBD ELBERT 0940
    [Show full text]
  • District 2013 Intent to Apply
    Detailed List of Potential Applicants: Race to the Top ‐ District 2013 Intent to Apply Count of Name of the applicant/local educational agency: $20‐25 $4‐10 million ‐ million ‐ $10‐20 2,000‐5,000 $25–30 million ‐ 10,001 – million ‐ participating 20,0001+ 20,0000 5,001‐10,000 students or 10+ participating participating participating LEAs in a Grand students students students consortia Total AK 11 North Slope Borough School District 11 AL 3 3 Birmingham City Schools 1 1 Huntsville City Schools 1 1 Mobile County Public School System 1 1 AR 1 2 3 602 Warren School District 1 1 Texarkana AR School District #7 11 Wynne Public Schools 11 AZ 3 4 2 5 14 Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center 11 Cartwright Elementary School District 1 1 Coconino County Education Service Agency 1 1 Colorado River Union High School District 1 1 Empower College Prep 11 Glendale Elementary School District 1 1 Glendale Union High School District 1 1 Humboldt Unified School District 1 1 Maricopa County Education Service Agency 1 1 Peoria Unified School District 1 1 Pima Prevention Partnership dba Pima Partnership School 1 1 Sunnyside Unified School District #12 1 1 Tempe Elem. Dist. #3 11 Tucson Unified School District 1 1 CA 7 4 2 1 14 Ánimo Leadership Charter High School 1 1 Clovis Unified School District 1 1 District not Disclosed 11 Lorrie Lauer Seminars 1 1 Los Angeles Unified School District 1 1 Modesto City Schools 1 1 Oakland Unified School District 1 1 Parlier Unified School District 11 Porterville Unified School District 1 1 Rocketship Mateo Sheedy Elementary 11 San Bernardino City USD 1 1 Trinity Unlimited Childcare Center 11 Twin Rivers Unified School District 1 1 Val Verde Unified School District 1 1 CO 1 1 9 5 16 Adams County School District 14 1 1 Adams County School District 50, Westminster 1 1 Adams‐Arapahoe 28J (Aurora Public Schools) 1 1 Boulder Valley School District RE‐211 Colorado Charter School Institute 11 Denver Public Schools 1 1 Eagle County Schools 11 Englewood Schools 11 Garfield School District No.
    [Show full text]
  • 2016 ANNUAL REPORT DEAR FRIENDS, a Young Person’S Life and Their Community Drastically Change for the Better When They Receive Their High School Diploma Or GED
    2016 ANNUAL REPORT DEAR FRIENDS, A young person’s life and their community drastically change for the better when they receive their high school diploma or GED. That is why we are relentless in our efforts to reengage students who have left school and those at risk of leaving school in their education. We are solving the dropout crisis in Colorado. Our students face many personal and systemic barriers to their education. In reengaging students with their education, we have to address these barriers. In an ever-changing world, CYC continues to make a commitment to being an inclusive organization. We are working to create a culture and community where each individual is recognized and valued for their unique perspectives and identities. Our students, staff and community at large are only as powerful as the collective whole. What CYC is doing works. We strive to be an evidence-based, data-driven organization. In the 15-16 school year, we served over 1,700 students. The state’s dropout rate decreased from 2.5 to 2.3 percent (10,530 students). In addition, the graduation rates rose from 77.3 to 78.9 percent. We are thrilled to see so many of the districts in which we work experience an increase in graduation rates and a decrease in dropout rates. We also recognize we still have a long way to go to reach all of the students leaving school and not graduating across the state. We have some very exciting plans for the next year so stay tuned! MARY ZANOTTI MATT PADILLA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BOARD CHAIR IMPACT 2015-16 STUDENT STORIES REENGAGING STUDENTS JESSE Sometimes all it takes is 1,705 students were served by CYC during the 2015-16 a little extra support and perseverance.
    [Show full text]
  • April 3, 2020
    April 3, 2020 Dear Community Members, As many of you know, upon becoming aware of the spread of COVID-19 in Colorado and the myriad concerns inherent, school superintendents took action several weeks ago to protect students, staff and the community. We have been working hard to provide leadership guidance to families throughout ​ ​ Colorado. As school superintendents, we consult and collaborate many times each day to share thinking and to problem solve as a regional group. Two days ago, on April 1, Governor Polis announced extended closures of schools in Colorado through April 30, 2020. Over the past several weeks, we have spoken regularly and often to public health officials and state officials to better understand the timeline and path forward for the year, both with regard to COVID-19 and “traditional” school year expectations. We understand that there are not specific answers to exactly how and when we return to “life as normal” during this unprecedented health crisis. Given that, we must rely upon our best judgement and place safety above all else. What is clear is that there will not be definitive, universal guidance to proceed as normal. Rather, there will be a gradual lifting of restrictions and a step by step return to normalcy. What we do know is that once the “Stay at Home” orders are lifted, we will continue to have restrictions on social distancing and the size of group gatherings for at least several weeks, if not months. Given the nature of a school environment (classrooms, passing periods, buses, playgrounds, etc.), these restrictions are not practical within the school setting.
    [Show full text]
  • Standards Spoke Committee Member List 2
    Standards ESSA Spoke Committee September 15, 2016 Membership Name Member Affiliation Will Andras Education Reform Now / Democrats for Education Reform Dr. Kevin Aten Estes Park Schools Deborah Bacon Jeffco Public Schools Robert Beauchamp Poudre School District Renee Belisle Denver Public Schools Wendy Birhanzel Harrison School District #2 Jeanne Bonds Douglas County School District Tara Boyer Wiggins School District Marci Chapman Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 Ann Conaway Palisade High School Mesa County School District 51 Heather Craiglow Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Early Childhood Sheryl Cunningham Cherry Creek Education Association Sherri Dennstedt Cherry Creek Schools Bev DeVore-Wedding University of Nebraska-Lincoln & Nebraska Indian Community College Carrie DeWaters Englewood Schools Elizabeth Domangue Harrison School District #2 Regina Dunda Denver Public Schools Samantha Duwe Aurora Public Schools Shawna Fritzler Parent Teacher Association Joanie Funderburk Colorado Council of Teachers of Mathematics Cassie Harrelson Aurora Public Schools Brit Havey Climb Higher Colorado Vanessa Hayes-Quintana Colorado Art Education Association Lauren Heintz Clayton Early Learning Tom Hibbs Colorado Council of Teachers of Mathematics/CDE Terry Jones Society of Health and Physical Education Tabbi Kinion Colorado Parks and Wildlife Cecily Klein Jefferson County Public Schools Ben Lausten Summit School District Vinessa Lopez Harrison School District #2 Cathy Martin Denver Public Schools Lynn Mather Retired Samantha Messier
    [Show full text]
  • School Counselor Corps Funded Schools 2009-2010
    School Counselor Corps Funded Schools 2009‐2010 Region District(s) School(s) Metro Adams-Arapahoe 28J Gateway High School Metro Adams-Arapahoe 28J Hinkley High School Metro Adams-Arapahoe 28J Rangeview High School Metro Adams-Arapahoe 28J William Smith High School Metro Boulder Valley School District Angevine Middle School Metro Boulder Valley School District Arapahoe Ridge High School Metro Brighton School District Brighton Heritage Academy Metro Brighton School District Overland Trail Middle School Metro Brighton School District Vikan Middle School Metro Charter School Institute Early College High School at Arvada Metro Cherry Creek School District Overland High School Metro Cherry Creek School District Horizon Community Middle School Metro Cherry Creek School District Prairie Middle School Metro Cherry Creek School District Smoky Hill High School Metro Denver Public Schools Northeast Academy Charter Metro Denver Public Schools Place Bridge Academy Metro Denver Public Schools West High School Metro Denver Public Schools P.S.1 Charter School Metro Denver Public Schools Colorado High School Charter Metro Denver Public Schools Contemporary Learning Academy Metro Denver Public Schools George Washington High School Metro Denver Public Schools Denver North High School Metro Englewood Schools Englewood High School Colorado's Finest Alternative High Metro Englewood Schools School Metro Englewood Schools Englewood Middle School Metro Jefferson County Public Schools Jefferson High School Metro Jefferson County Public Schools Alameda High School
    [Show full text]
  • 50Th Annual Case Convention Breakout Sessions
    50TH Leadership Elevated 50TH ANNUAL CASE CONVENTION BREAKOUT SESSIONS Wednesday, July 24, 2019 # 2 Session Title 2 Time 2 Session Description Presenters In the 2018-2019 school year, Morgan County School District RE-3 began a journey toward academic excellence for its highly diverse and challenging student Dr. James Hammack, Superintendent, Morgan County RE-3 population. This session will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding Dr. Rena Frasco, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Morgan County RE-3 Our District’s Journey: of the district’s efforts to advance student learning, including an instructional rounds , Director of English Language Learning, 1 Morgan County RE-3’s 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM model based on work by Doug LeMov, professional learning community practices, a Shelly Ocanas Morgan County RE-3 Continued Improvement 1:1 laptop initiative, the use of formative assessment data to improve instruction, the Jason Frasco, Principal, Fort Morgan Middle School role of instructional coaches, an English language learner program, special education Lisa Megel, Director of Special Education, Morgan County RE-3 planning, the work of the leadership team, budgetary considerations, and high school and more! reform. We are aware of Safe2Tell, but are districts and schools implementing the framework in a meaningful way? Participants will leave the session with an understanding of their school’s culture around Safe2Tell and tangible action steps relevant to each step along Infusing Culturally , ELD & WL Senior Consultant, CDE the cultural proficiency continuum. Through this supportive and no-judgment zone, Lulu Buck 2 Responsive Environments 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM , Training and Outreach Specialist, Safe2Tell, we’ll give participants the tools to take Safe2Tell, and their school culture to the next Mark Lanning with Safe2Tell Colorado Attorney General’s Office level of cultural responsiveness for students, families, and community.
    [Show full text]
  • Administrative Unit List Organized by County & BOCES
    Administrative Unit List Organized by County & BOCES Exceptional Student Services Unit Updated October 22, 2019 Exceptional Student Services Unit Administrative Unit List Updated November 4, 2019 ADAMS COUNTY 5 ADAMS 1, MAPLETON PUBLIC SCHOOLS 5 ADAMS 12, FIVE STAR SCHOOLS 5 ADAMS 14J, COMMERCE CITY 6 ADAMS 27J, BRIGHTON 6 WESTMINISTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS 7 ARAPAHOE COUNTY 7 ARAPAHOE 1, ENGLEWOOD 7 ARAPAHOE 2, SHERIDAN 8 ARAPAHOE 5, CHERRY CREEK SCHOOLS 8 ARAPAHOE 6, LITTLETON 9 ADAMS-ARAPAHOE 28, AURORA PUBLIC SCHOOLS 9 BOULDER COUNTY 10 ST. VRAIN VALLEY RE-1J, LONGMONT 10 BOULDER VALLEY RE-2, BOULDER 10 DELTA COUNTY 11 DELTA 50J 11 DENVER COUNTY 11 DENVER 1 11 DOUGLAS COUNTY 12 DOUGLAS RE-1, CASTLE ROCK 12 EAGLE COUNTY 12 EAGLE COUNTY SCHOOLS 12 ELBERT COUNTY 13 ELIZABETH SCHOOL DISTRICT 13 EL PASO COUNTY 13 EL PASO 2, HARRISON 13 EL PASO 3, WIDEFIELD 14 EL PASO 8, FOUNTAIN – FT. CARSON 14 EL PASO 11, COLORADO SPRINGS 15 EL PASO 12, CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN 15 EL PASO 20, ACADEMY 16 EL PASO 38, LEWIS PALMER 16 EL PASO 49, El Paso COUNTY COLORADO SCHOOL DISTRICT 49 17 Page 2 of 38 Exceptional Student Services Unit Administrative Unit List Updated November 4, 2019 FREMONT COUNTY 17 FREMONT RE-1, CANON CITY 17 GUNNISON COUNTY 18 GUNNISON RE – 1J 18 JEFFERSON COUNTY 18 JEFFERSON COUNTY R – 1, LAKEWOOD 18 LA PLATA COUNTY 19 DURANGO 9-R SCHOOLS 19 LARIMER COUNTY 19 LARIMER 1, POUDRE, FORT COLLINS 19 LARIMER R-2J, THOMPSON, LOVELAND 20 LOGAN COUNTY 21 LOGAN RE-1 VALLEY, STERLING 21 MESA COUNTY 21 MESA 51, MESA COUNTY 21 MOFFATT COUNTY 22 MOFFATT RE1, CRAIG
    [Show full text]
  • Superintendent Statement on Planned Teacher Actions
    SCHOOL DISTRICT 27J 18551 East 160th Avenue Brighton, CO 80601-3295 Office: (303) 655-2900 Fax: (303) 655-2870 Communications Office April 26, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information contact: Tracy L Rudnick, Public Information Officer School District 27J 303-655-2905 SUPERINTENDENT STATEMENT ON PLANNED TEACHER ACTIONS BRIGHTON, COLO. (April 26, 2018) – Over the past several months, school superintendents across Colorado have been working in partnership with school boards and community groups to call attention to the dire public school funding issues that plague our state. We strongly believe that our students, our communities, and our educators should receive the supports and compensation they deserve. Since April 16, 2018, we have seen teachers and other educators in school districts around the state take action to fight for fair and equitable state funding. Teachers wearing “Red for Ed,” walking into schools together, and rallying at the state capitol are among some of those more visible actions. We are seeing more school districts needing to amend student contact days as teachers take unpaid, personal and annual leave in calling attention to widely shared concerns with regard to school funding in Colorado. As superintendents representing districts that have closed for a day, will be closing for a day, or at some point will see large scale teacher actions occurring in support of increased school funding in Colorado, we would like to offer the following information for your consideration: • Colorado currently ranks 42nd in the nation in per pupil funding. • In Colorado, we fund our students at an average of $2,500 per student less than the national average – not the upper end of the scale - average.
    [Show full text]