education

Emailed to supporters June 8, 2009

Behind the headlines
New reports offer insight
on achievement gap debate

By Frank Waterous
Senior Policy Analyst
waterous@thebell.org

With "Race to the Top" federal funding, the state's legislative interim committee on Public School Finance and other education reform efforts in the headlines, we thought that an update on new research related to one of the key topics in education opportunity might be in order.

This bill represents a net opportunity gain for Colorado. Parental involvement is one of the most important elements in children’s academic success. By creating a state advisory council and grant program to increase parental involvement in education, the bill will take an important step toward closing the state’s achievement gaps, reducing the dropout rate and increasing the number of students who successfully transition to post-secondary educational opportunities and careers.

Emailed to supporters: Proponents of Amendment 46 maintain that by prohibiting governments from showing preferential treatment, they are righting a wrong because such treatment is “discriminatory, divisive and ineffective.” ... However, three recent reports clearly show that the educational and workforce “playing field” has not been leveled and that programs that give individuals a fair opportunity to compete are still vitally needed in Colorado.

This bill represents a net opportunity gain for Colorado. Parental involvement is one of the most important elements in children’s academic success. By making it possible for more parents to attend parent-teacher conferences and other specified academic activities, the bill takes an important step toward closing the state’s achievement gaps, reducing the dropout rate and increasing the number of students who successfully transition to post-secondary educational opportunities.

Wade Buchanan appears on KRMA's Colorado State of Mind, along with Cindy Stevinson of Jefferson County public schools, newspaper columnist Chuck Green and Frosty Wooldridge, a columnist and commentator on immigration issues.They discussed tuition equity (SB 170) and cutbacks in K-12 education budgets.

Education is the key to many good things. It creates a better and more diverse work force. It improves the economy and our quality of life. It creates a more content populace, one that can support itself and its families. So, why would we want to deny education to anyone? Exactly. ... Editorial quotes Matt Sundeen

Hank Lacey of Denver VOICE interviewed Wade Buchanan and Barry Poulson on the recession and anticipated cuts in Colorado's budget.

This bill represents a net opportunity gain for Colorado. Parental involvement is one of the most important elements in children’s academic success. By creating a state advisory council and grant program to increase parental involvement in education, the bill will take an important step toward closing the state’s achievement gaps, reducing the dropout rate and increasing the number of students who successfully transition to post-secondary educational opportunities and careers.

This bill represents a net opportunity gain for Colorado. Parental involvement is one of the most important elements in children’s academic success. By making it possible for more parents to attend parent-teacher conferences and other academic activities, the bill takes an important step in closing the state’s achievement gaps, reducing the dropout rate and increasing the number of students who successfully transition to postsecondary educational opportunities and careers.