The story of the juvenile, obscene editorial in the Colorado State University newspaper has prompted the Independence Institute's Jessica Corry and Ryan Olivett (a current CSU student) to fire back with a sharp reminder in journalistic ethics: Like a child howling in a candy store to get what he wants, the Collegian substituted a four letter word for genuine political discourse. All for attention. If only McSwane had stepped back for a moment to acknowledge not just his freedoms as an American—but also his ethical obligations as a newspaper editor. According to the code of ethics espoused by the Society of Professional Journalists, "gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort," but this doesn't mean the "pursuit … [Read more...]

Leading Colorado Democrats still don't seem to understand how property owners paying a higher tax rate constitutes a tax increase, even though the new law signed by Democrat Gov. Bill Ritter will raise $114 million in new tax revenue: But Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, who sponsored the House version of the school-finance bill, said Gardner doesn't understand how the law works. "It's not a tax increase," he said. " . . . The money that comes from the school district never leaves the school district." He said the money was not going to the state budget and that all the local school districts affected by the law had held a vote to exempt themselves from the TABOR limits to keep the property tax revenues. How else can Democrats justify … [Read more...]

Congrats to Pueblo's Cesar Chavez Academy (and thanks to Colorado Charters for pointing out the accolades) - one of two charter schools nationwide to be featured as models of excellent education in a U.S. Department of Education documentary video. This must only make more painful the recent episode of an email sent by state Rep. Mike Merrifield (D-Manitou Springs) to Sen. Sue Windels (D-Arvada), indicating that there is "a special place in hell" for "charterizers" and the like. If one remembers, the specific context of the message was in response to efforts to replicate the highly successful Cesar Chavez Academy model in Colorado Springs. Democrat education committee chairman Merrifield summarily assigned people who wanted to try a … [Read more...]

El Presidente brings us a Friday reminder of the cost of having Democrats in charge of our state. He highlights a Rocky Mountain News article that tells us how Colorado's Democrat Commissioner on Higher Education David Skaggs wants to extend in-state tuition privileges to illegal aliens. Is this the Democrat solution to the higher education funding shortfall? Meanwhile, Governor Ritter ignores a potential energy revenue windfall to fund our state's colleges and universities. Why? Apparently, Democrats would rather tax hard-working Colorado citizens and spend the excess on privileges for illegal aliens. El Presidente also makes a clear and strong point on an issue to which he has given repeated attention: No Mr. Skaggs, the disconnect … [Read more...]

In light of yesterday's release of CSAP results, the Post's David Harsanyi gives his diagnosis: The fact that a third of Colorado students can't adequately read and that half can't pass a math test doesn't mean that Colorado school reform is stalling. It means that some schools and students are stalling and many parents aren't taking their children's potential seriously enough. Either Mom and Dad aren't spending adequate time helping to educate their kids, or they're not taking advantage of the (still limited) choices Colorado schools offer, or they're not demanding those in charge to get the job done. Which brings us to the solution. More Coloradans should act rich. I can only add in emphasis that acting rich in this case … [Read more...]

Yesterday the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) raised admission standards for the state's public colleges and universities, effective in 2010. The final set of standards is less rigorous than originally planned, with no increase in the one-year foreign language requirement and the allowance of a watered-down math course to fulfill the requirement. Still, some weren't satisfied - among them one who believes charter school supporters have a "special" reservation in the torrid nether regions. From 9News: Other opponents worry that creating more emphasis on taking math and science will stifle student creativity. State Representative Mike Merrifield, who is also the chairman of the House Education Committee, told the … [Read more...]

No time for lengthy posts this morning, but quick links on an important timely topic. Echoing Colorado Senate News, Michael at Best Destiny points out the momentum growing for a Republican-sponsored plan to use revenues from drilling on the Western Slope's Roan Plateau to provide a windfall to the state's universities. Michael points out how out of touch Colorado's junior Senator and would-be senator on the Democrat side happen to be on this issue. Meanwhile, Democrat Gov. Bill Ritter, who has made higher education funding one of his leading planks, has stalled and hesitated on the opportunity to support the drilling. But wait, as Michael points out, even the Denver Post says it should go forward soon. Maybe the majority Democrats are … [Read more...]