DeGrow Tackles SB 213 Tax Proposal on Choice Media

Comments from senior education policy analyst were featured in the new edition of the nationally-syndicated Choice Media Ed Reform Minute. The story covers Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper’s recent signing of Senate Bill 213, the “Future School Finance Act” measure tied directly to a statewide billion-dollar tax increase proposal:
In the era of the school choice [...]

Amy Oliver Show: Senator Says SB 213’s Extra Tax Dollars Not Needed

Senator Scott Renfroe, Republican from Weld County, explains why he could not support Senate Bill 213 or its accompanying tax increase proposal, given the weakness of reforms and the availability of other existing budget funds.

Amy Oliver Show: Too Much Tax, Too Little Reform in SB 213

State Rep. Justin Everett, a conservative freshman legislator from Jefferson County, talks about serving in the minority party on the House Education Committee, his vision for education reform, and why he opposed SB 213, the school finance bill tied to a billion dollar tax increase proposal.

Amy Oliver Show: State Board Member Appreciates Teachers

Pam Mazanec talks about her role serving eastern Colorado on the State Board of Education, and celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week with some positive news statewide and in Douglas County from Colorado’s latest official TELL teacher survey.

Survey Says Dougco Residents Love Choice, Reform

An April 2013 survey commissioned by the Independence Institute found that healthy majorities of Douglas County residents support their school board’s innovative agenda.

Dougco Loves Choice, School Board’s Reforms

Results of a recent survey show strong backing from Douglas County residents for a groundbreaking private school choice program and a host of other reforms pursued by the local school board.

CO Observer Features Comment on Union Local Strategy

In a story highlighting contentious negotiations in the Adams 12 school district, The Colorado Observer’s Sunana Batra cites an Education Policy Center expert about the teachers union leadership’s strategy to resist local reforms:

Critics believe the Colorado Education Association (CEA), of which the DTEA is a local affiliate, may be attempting to fight a pitched battle [...]

Amy Oliver Show: Colorado Charters on the Rise

Jim Griffin, president of the Colorado League of Charter Schools, talks about a new report that documents the growth of the state’s public charter school movement, and the better academic outcomes their schools are getting with less funds.

04/30/13

Education Policy Center Newsletter April 30, 2013
– New Colorado Kids Win Site Highlights Scholarship Tax Credits
– DeGrow Tackles Big School Finance Reform Debate (Cont.)
– Center Covers Teachers Union Showdown in Adams 12
– Raaki Garcia Show Covers KIPP, Parent Resources, Dougco
– Confused about Weather, Eddie Rounds Up April K-12 Topics

Washington Post Highlights Benigno’s Reaction to DougCo Choice Program Ruling

In a Washington Post article about the Colorado Court of Appeals ruling in favor of Douglas County’s Choice Scholarship Program, Associated Press writer Steven Paulson quoted the Education Policy Center director’s reaction to the welcome news