Every day is seeking to rise to the challenge, 'neath the shadow of the mighty Rockies.
Supreme Court Ruling Could Make Colorado a School Choice Destination
Anticipation is building among school choice supporters for a Colorado court ruling that could create wide and deep ripples in the fabric of American K-12 education. On Dec. 10, 2014, the Colorado Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of Taxpayers v. Douglas County Board of Education. The case’s third and decisive round of legal hearings will test whether an unprecedented local school choice program not only will survive, but also could multiply. The ruling could embolden other local Colorado boards of education to offer parents educational options outside the public system, and inspire policymakers hoping to expand choice in other states. …Read the rest of my article at Watchdog Arena…. … [Read more...]
Report Finds Denver’s ‘SchoolChoice’ System Improves Enrollment, More Focus Needed on Performance
Denver has made the process of choosing a school easier and more satisfying for many families. But a local advocacy group says the district needs to offer more quality schools for students to access. A new report released by the nonprofit citizens’ education reform group A+ Denver asks whether the Denver Public Schools’ (DPS) three-year-old universal enrollment system is working for families. The system has streamlined the application process to get into one of the district’s traditional neighborhood, magnet, or charter schools, and has matched large numbers with their stated preferences. …Read the rest of my article at Watchdog Arena…. … [Read more...]
Colorado Education Fares OK, Rates Well Next to Other States
According to a conservative organization’s annual report, Colorado education policies and low-income student performance continue to rate well when graded on the curve. Yet the latest edition of ALEC’s Report Card on American Education identifies opportunities for the state to improve and excel. …Read the rest of my article at Watchdog Wire Colorado…. … [Read more...]
Court: Adams 12 Schools Vindicated in Firing Financial Accuser
A judge has vindicated Denver-area school district officials for their decision to remove an employee whose accusations of financially “cooking the books” led to a series of sensational 2013 local TV news reports. A Sept. 12 ruling by U.S. District Court Senior Judge Richard P. Matsch summarily dismissed claims made by former internal auditor Gina Holub in a lawsuit against Adams 12 Five Star Schools officials. The decision came more than a year and a half after Fox 31 News aired several stories featuring Holub’s claims, such as “State’s 5th largest school district hid millions while cutting services to students?” …Read the rest of my article at Watchdog Wire Colorado…. … [Read more...]
Colorado Union of Taxpayers Sees Slight Gains for Legislature
The state’s leading citizen taxpayer advocacy group touts a slight improvement in the Colorado legislature’s 2014 record, while the governor repeated his dismal showing on key fiscal issues. Founded in 1976, the Colorado Union of Taxpayers publishes an annual newsletter rating all 100 members of the state legislature and the governor on key votes related to its fiscally conservative mission. The latest release rated lawmakers favorably for opposing 28 bills and supporting two others introduced during the 2014 legislative session. …Read the rest of my article at Watchdog Wire Colorado…. … [Read more...]
Colorado Education Leaders Question Standardized Testing
While a Pikes Peak region superintendent’s attempt to pull out of state assessments was called out for reaching too far, state education leaders are exploring new ways to balance educator accountability and flexibility. In an August 4 welcome back speech to Colorado Springs School District 11 leaders, superintendent Nicholas Gledich revealed his intention to seek a sanctioned three-year break from full participation in the state’s standardized testing system. He wanted to limit the administration of new PARCC consortium tests (math and literacy) and CMAS tests (science and social studies) only to a “random sample of students.” …Read the rest of my article at Watchdog Wire Colorado…. … [Read more...]
Time Running Out for Teachers to Ask Money Back from Union
A national commemoration includes a special roadside message for Pueblo educators who carry an extra burden as part of their job. The reminder to many teachers that they have to ask every year to get hundreds of dollars of their own money back also makes the case that union leaders simply should ask first. …Read the rest of my article at Watchdog Wire Colorado…. … [Read more...]
Adams 12 School Board Election Ruling Raises Red Flags
If a Broomfield judge’s ruling stands, the eligible candidate with the most votes may no longer necessarily win an election. A July 11 decision in Figueroa v Speers not only effectively nullifies the results of an Adams County school board race. The plaintiffs who lost this legal round also believe the reasoning in Judge Chris Melonakis‘ ruling changes the standard to declare winners for elected political office. …Read the rest of my article at Watchdog Wire Colorado…. … [Read more...]
Independent Foreclosure Reviews May Offer Better Chance Second Time Around
Going through a home foreclosure often can be a painful and difficult experience. I feel blessed to say my family has never had to go through the process, though it did happen to the previous owners of the house where we currently live. Foreclosure must be hard enough if the event happened as a result of one's own poor decision-making, or as a result of unexpected, unfortunate circumstances. But it has to be even worse if someone was harmed and removed from their residence because of errors made by the bank or other lender. Who is held responsible when such an injustice occurs? Congress stepped in to try to solve the problem, particularly for those adversely affected during the height of the economic downturn in 2009 and 2010. Yet … [Read more...]
Drive Safely on Winter Roads, and Be Thankful for Help If You’re Injured
The throes of winter are upon us. And even though we live in the beautiful state of Colorado, where regular appearances of the sun and some milder weather patterns spare us some of the worst prolonged weather patterns, we still have our share of days with less-than-ideal road conditions. That's when during my commute to and from Denver, or random errands, I stay vigilant for cars with Texas, California, and Florida license plates. Why? Odds are that the driver is less experienced in handling a vehicle on the snow or ice. Even so, despite your best skill at winter driving and awareness of those around you, sometimes an accident is unavoidable. A couple of years ago during a heavy snowfall on the Interstate, we got bumped into the concrete … [Read more...]
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