achievement gap

The fifteenth and final round of Colorado Student Assessment Program scores released August 3rd shows that while overall student performance has improved, Colorado's minority and low-income students continue to face significant and persistent achievement gaps.

Testimony to the House Education Committee

My name is Frank Waterous, and I am a senior policy analyst with the Bell Policy Center. The Bell is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding opportunity for the people of Colorado.

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.

Email to supporters: Children perform better in school when their parents are active partners in their education, and the bottom-line goal of HB 09-1057 is to make it possible for more parents to be involved. The bill, supported by the Bell, has passed the legislature and will soon be sent to Gov. Bill Ritter. We consider it a vitally important step toward closing the achievement gap, reducing the dropout rate and increasing advancement toward postsecondary education.

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.

SB 059 creates the Smart Start nutrition program and fund to pay the costs of eliminating the copayment for those students who currently qualify for reduced-price breakfasts under the school breakfast program. This revised Opportunity Note reflects amendments to the bill.

Articles: Colorado economy strong at mid-year, Early childhood intervention pays off, Pre-kindergarten expulsion rate twice K-12's, New data highlights the achievement gap, Southern states offer advice on adult training, Equal coverage for mental health saves money, Craig, Colo., makes it easy to call for help, Strategies to raise household savings, How to build a real ownership society

Articles: 2005 CSAP results, New Bell reports: Understanding Colorado's Achievement Gap 2005 Education White Papers, Bell tracks six interim committees, Immunization rates rebound, Number of uninsured kids falls, Latinos receive less student financial aid, Business group supports better access to higher education, Increased cost sharing pushes people off Medicaid, EITC boosts employment, Housing costs rise faster than wages, Latinos lack sufficient retirement savings