Colorado explicitly invited faith-based preschools to participate in its new $322 million universal preschool program. But state officials have sent mixed messages about whether preschools can offer religious instruction during state-funded class time.
Ann Schimke, Chalkbeat Colorado
Ann Schimke is a senior reporter at Chalkbeat Colorado covering early childhood education. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and the Denver Post. She holds a master’s degree in education policy from the University of Michigan. She joined Chalkbeat (then EdNews Colorado) in 2012.
Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news organization covering schools and education. The news organization believes education is a local issue, and roots its coverage in local communities. Chalkbeat reports from and about eight locations: Colorado, Chicago, Detroit, Indiana, Newark, New York, Philadelphia and Tennessee.
As a nonprofit, Chalkbeat’s support comes from a diverse mix of sources, including sponsors and donors. View its current supporters. Chalkbeat is a Civic News Company newsroom.
We trust Chalkbeat to help us cover the world as fully as possible and to adhere to the highest journalistic standards. Learn about the agency's editorial policies.
Posted inPolitics and Government
Colorado’s universal preschool standards set low bar, experts say
Colorado’s proposed quality rules, which will take effect in fall 2024, are already coming too late for the first class of universal preschoolers — about 38,000 4-year-olds and 9,000 3-year-olds so far this fall
Posted inEducation
Colorado backtracks on full-time preschool for 11,000 kids with risk factors
Colorado’s universal preschool plan called for certain children to get up to 30 hours a week at no cost to their families, provided there was enough money. It turns out there isn’t.
Posted inEducation
Denver’s first big merger of charter school networks poses leadership test
Hundreds of employees leave as union of Rocky Mountain Prep and STRIVE Prep spawns tense, chaotic year
Posted inEducation
New Colorado preschool program’s matching system not ready for prime time, education groups worry
Education and early childhood groups have sought to delay notifications because they see too many problems, including whether Colorado has the money to cover promised classroom hours.
Posted inEducation
Fears flare that Colorado free preschool could shortchange kids with learning delays
While many early childhood advocates and providers have praised Colorado’s plan to significantly expand publicly funded preschool, there’s ongoing concern that the rollout is being rushed
Posted inEducation
Colorado parents can now apply for universal preschool. Here’s what they need to know.
State officials expect about 30,000 children to opt into the universal preschool program in its first year. That’s about half the number that will be eligible.
Posted inEducation
Colorado is recruiting providers for its new free preschool program. Parents are next.
More than 250 preschool providers, offering a total of 12,000 seats, have signed up for the universal program so far
Posted inEducation
Free meals will be offered in most Colorado school districts next year. Is yours one of them?
Of two dozen districts surveyed by Chalkbeat, 16 plan to offer universal free meals next year. But some districts remain undecided, including two of Colorado’s largest districts — Denver and Douglas County.
Posted inEducation
A look inside Colorado’s yearslong push to change how schools teach reading
The hope is that better curriculum materials combined with a recent statewide teacher training effort will transform reading instruction — and boost reading achievement — across Colorado