school funding

The Colorado Title Board has approved 21 ballot measures designed to provide funding for Senate Bill 13-213, which would update Colorado's school financing formula for the first time in almost 20 years. If the bill passes, voters must approve one of these ballot measures to provide funding for it.

Click here for pdf version

It still feels like summer, but most of Colorado's kids are already back at school. General Fund is back at school, too, and working harder than ever just to make the grade.

In previous emails we talked about how General Fund is struggling to keep his obligations to college students, Medicaid patients and other Coloradans while revenues are slipping. And we've discussed how he may have to take on more responsibility for roads and bridges.

Amendment 60 would amend the state Constitution to make sweeping changes to Colorado's property tax laws. These changes would significantly impact funding for public schools and local services.

Amendment 60 would require school districts to cut property tax rates in half by 2020.

The Bell Policy Center applauds the decision on mill levy stabilization by the Colorado Supreme Court, and it offers congratulations to Gov. Bill Ritter and the General Assembly for initiating this important step to ensure a more reasonable, rational fiscal policy for Colorado.

Newspapers around the state report on the Bell Policy Center's 2006 issue brief, "65 Percent Solution spending plans for Colorado school districts"

The Fort Collins Coloradoan explores the effects of Amendment 39 on students in Colorado.

This issue brief examines whether the "65 Percent Solution" for school funding is supported by evidence from research, and the implications of the definitions the policy contains for school services and student achievement.