These posts are the opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of A+ Colorado.
As heat waves roll through the Front Range, education communities are hoping to recharge after a demanding school year with unprecedented challenges. A+ Colorado will be doing the same as we take a break from sending the Stay Sharp Newsletters during the month of July; we look forward to continuing to provide education updates and…
Letter to Colleagues – The Courage to Address Systemic Inequity Mike Miles, A+ Colorado Board Member, June 15 2020 Even before COVID-19 we knew that our public education system was inequitable. On the whole, poor and minority students did not receive the same opportunities or access to high quality programs and schools as their wealthier…
June marks Pride Month for members of th LGBTQIA+ community; and the anniversary of the historic Stonewall Riots. A+ Colorado recognizes the unique experience and value LGBTQ+ students bring to Colorado classrooms. While we celebrate the resilience of these students, we recognize the disproportionate challenges they face within our schools. The most recent Healthy Kids…
Educators, parents, and students have begun their summer vacations after the end of a truly unprecedented school year. Questions remain surrounding the return to school in the fall, how districts will respond to budget shortfalls in the fallout of COVID-19, and significant policy proposals from local leaders that will alter schools’ trajectories for years to…
Could American high school learning improve with COVID planning? Most of the planning for opening schools this fall around the world is being driven by how best to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID. Can you reduce class sizes? Rethink meeting in large groups? Break up schedules to meet less often or more often for…
A+ Updates Education Budget Update Colorado school funding continues to be a massive challenge with nearly all forms of Colorado tax revenues dropping faster and deeper than has been seen in modern history. Many of the state school finance questions will be answered in the next week with the expected passage of the School Finance…
Colorado students and teachers seek closure while finishing an unprecedented school year that brought us drive-through graduation ceremonies, funding deficits at the state legislature, and a myriad of other complex challenges throughout the education system. As the novel coronavirus has continued; Colorado teachers and school leaders have stepped up to the challenges and we’re so…
As the state transitions to Safer at Home, A+ Colorado will be transitioning from our weekly COVID-19 Response Digest back to our Stay Sharp Newsletter. In a world where change is happening daily, we remain committed to bringing you timely news and research to keep you informed on education in Colorado and connect you with…
This post originally appeared in The 74 on 5/17/2020. Colorado school district boards are about to make the most difficult financial decisions of their lives. Never have school boards or district financial leaders been asked to make such deep cuts in their budgets. School district budget decisions in the next month will have a profound impact on…
Legislative Council Staff and the Office of Planning and Budgeting delivered updated economic and revenue forecasts. With an expected 25% reduction in overall revenue, in addition to other factors, a $3.3 billion shortfall in the state budget is expected heading into next year. Additionally, based on projected declines in local shares and mill levy overrides,…