literacy

Gov. John Hickenlooper signs the Colorado READ Act,
under the watchful eyes of second-graders from
Kenton Elementary School in Aurora.

Surrounded by second-graders and childhood literacy supporters, Gov. John Hickenlooper today signed House Bill 12-1238, the "Colorado READ Act," into law.

Ensuring K-3 Literacy Education

House Bill 12-1238

Testimony to the Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee

Frank Waterous, Senior Policy Analyst

April 25, 2012

As a state Senate committee prepares for a hearing on House Bill 1238 ("Ensuring K-3 Literacy Education") today, the Bell Policy Center is releasing an policy brief that reviews some of the assertions and research around student retention – holding students back a grade – as a mechanism for improving literacy skills. Retention is one of the important components of the proposed legislation.

House Bill 12-1238

Testimony to the House Education Committee

Frank Waterous, Senior Policy Analyst

March 12, 2012

My name is Frank Waterous, and I am senior policy analyst with the Bell Policy Center. The Bell is a non-partisan, non-profit research and policy organization founded on progressive values and dedicated to expanding opportunity for all Coloradans.

Frank Waterous of the Bell was among speakers discussing issues surrounding the increasing number of children living in poverty in Boulder County and Colorado.

???These recommended reforms are a needed step forward. For example, the P-20 Council wants to fully fund the Colorado Preschool and Kindergarten Program. Right now, it serves only about two-thirds of the kids we know are eligible,??? said Frank Waterous, senior policy analyst for the Bell Policy Center.

The system of public (K-12) education is perhaps the greatest engine for opportunity in Colorado, so we have chosen building a solid base for literacy during the elementary school years as the next critical gateway to a life of opportunity.

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HB 07-1271 represents a net opportunity gain for Colorado. Adult education and family literacy programs can often be the starting point for many low-income individuals and families trying to get ahead.