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 [...]
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 [...]
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
Colorado Watchdog Cites Critique of Weak SB 213 Reform
The Education Policy Center’s Ben DeGrow was cited in a Colorado Watchdog article for his criticisms of the weak changes in proposed school finance reform legislation at the State Capitol:
“For being marketed as a grand bargain, there isn’t really much reform,” said Ben DeGrow, a policy analyst with the Independence Institute.
DeGrow said the problem with [...]
Post Column Cites DeGrow’s Call for Deeper Student Funding Reforms
In his latest Sunday column, the Denver Post’s Vincent Carroll cites remarks from Ben DeGrow about the need for more substantive changes in Senate Bill 213, a proposal by Colorado senator Michael Johnston to modify the school finance formula.
Carroll notes that SB 213’s adoption is tied to voters approving a billion-dollar tax increase on [...]
Analyst Addresses What’s Needed to Make Extended Learning Time Work
Senior policy analyst Ben DeGrow commented recently in an American Family Radio News (One News Now) story to provide perspective on news that some Colorado schools were among the recipients of grant money to provide longer or more days to serve especially low-income students. DeGrow told reporter Bob Kellogg that more than just the amount [...]
DeGrow Provides 9News Full Picture of Colorado K-12 Tax Funding
On Thursday, November 1, senior education policy analyst Ben DeGrow talked with Denver 9News education reporter Nelson Garcia about the disputed use of figures to account for Colorado school funding. (Click either picture to access the original story.)
“Colorado actually ranks closer to the middle than to the bottom,” DeGrow said. “You’ll see Colorado ranked even [...]
Washington Times Quotes Benigno on DPS Teacher Evaluation Controversy
In an October 8 story for the Washington Times, reporter Valerie Richardson quoted Education Policy Center director Pam Benigno on a recent Denver Public Schools controversy over teacher evaluation language promoting social activism:
“Let’s face it, in DPS, roughly 50 percent of the children across the board can’t even read at grade level. In math it’s [...]
Citizen Link Includes Comment on Growing Democratic Support for School Reform
In a 45-second nationally syndicated audio news clip for Citizen Link, senior policy analyst Ben DeGrow offered his insights on Democrats’ views regarding education reform and the declining power of teachers unions.
“In some elements of the Democratic Party, especially in urban areas, there is definitely an awakening to the need of school choice,” DeGrow said, [...]
DeGrow: Look at School vs. Household Budgets Calls for Productive Reforms
A new Education Policy Center issue backgrounder shedding light on Colorado’s major local school tax elections has garnered media attention. In a new an American Family Radio News (One News Now) report, senior policy analyst Ben DeGrow told reporter Bob Kellogg that local budgets in major school districts seeking tax hikes have done better [...]
