Blog posts are the opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of A+ Colorado.

What are teaching expectations during COVID-19 school closures

Educators, like many health and other essential workers are stepping up in remarkable ways to serve students and families. Jimmy Fallon said and sang it well on last night’s Tonight Show, Many Colorado educators spend far more time than they did a few months ago connecting with students remotely, on their porches or through phone…

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Dire Education Finance Decisions coming in May and June

Dire Education Finance Decisions coming in May and June As unemployment numbers grow in Colorado and across the nation, the forecasts for state and local tax revenue become increasingly dire. Current projected shortfalls are looking to be north of $3 billion (the state budget had been projected at about $13.4 billion with K-12 making up…

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A+ Stay Sharp: Response Digest 5

As the Coronavirus has continued to present unprecedented challenges for students, families, and district leaders; our Colorado teachers have responded with their familiar creativity, patience, and resilience. We’re grateful for our teachers; especially heading into Teacher Appreciation Week. Follow our social media channels next week to share gratitude for your favorite teachers.  This week’s Stay…

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A+ Stay Sharp: Response Digest 4

As Colorado districts and students face the realities of school closure for the remainder of the academic year, we continue to find ourselves grappling with more questions than answers for the future of education. A+ Colorado and Education Reform Now teamed up to host a conversation where many of these questions were answered with hopeful…

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Funding Our Schools in the Wake of COVID-19

Funding Our Schools in the Wake of COVID-19 The novel coronavirus is wreaking havoc on more than the health in our communities. No matter how you look at it, the current economic reality and forecast are bleak. Seventeen million Americans have filed for unemployment (2.2 million in Colorado) in the past three weeks, undercounting the…

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A+ Stay Sharp: Response Digest 3

Colorado students, teachers and communities are adjusting to this “new normal”. The transition to online learning which is likely to continue for the remainder of the year, has presented unique challenges for rural and urban districts. This week’s Stay Sharp Response Digest includes an interview with a local school leader, an A+ Answer digging into…

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The Case for Social and Emotional Support Now- and Always in School

If ever there was a time to pay attention to how students are doing socially and emotionally in school, it would be now in what is likely to be the most disruptive societal change since World War II.   Millions of people are already out of work, our health care systems are overwhelmed, we are likely…

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A+ Stay Sharp: Response Digest 2

All Colorado schools have suspended in-school learning through at least April 30, and while most school districts and families adjust to this new normal, there are still so many hurdles districts are facing to meet the needs of their students and families. Meal distribution continues throughout the state in many areas, with some districts going…

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A+ Stay Sharp: Response Digest

A+ Colorado has shifted our work to focus on responding to the education needs within the state while continuing to provide data-driven information and advocacy to support the community. In the coming weeks, we will be providing weekly news and updates, partner resources, and stories worth spotlighting. News to share Guidance for School Districts Amid…

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Stay Sharp Newsletter: March 2020

While COVID-19 has presented complex challenges for individuals and leaders throughout the state, A+ Colorado remains focused on providing data-driven information and advocacy to strengthen the community. Education partners state-wide are in the midst of supporting their families’ basic needs while others have started to develop strategies to respond to this unprecedented crisis. We are…

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