By Sandra Fish, Chalkbeat Colorado Colorado high school juniors and seniors won’t get to vote in school board elections, after lawmakers expressed concerns over constitutional and transparency issues. The House State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee voted 8-1 Wednesday to postpone House Bill 1243 indefinitely, effectively killing the bill. It would have allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to vote […]
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Posted inEducation, News, Politics and Government
As free full-day kindergarten nears reality in Colorado, advocates press their case
By Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat Colorado Jeannie Nelson didn’t have to pay for full-day kindergarten for her two older children because her family was below the Denver school district’s income threshold. But her husband, an EMT, recently got a raise, and now the family is waiting to know if they’ll have to pay for their third […]
Posted inEducation, News, Politics and Government
Should Colorado teens get a vote in school board elections? These legislators think so
By Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat Colorado A coalition of youth advocates is pushing Colorado to allow most high school juniors and seniors to vote in school board elections. “Students are experts in their own education,” said Tezcatli Diaz, director of youth civic engagement for Student Voice, Student Vote, one of the groups calling for the change. […]
Posted inEducation, News
To boost student attendance and well-being, more Colorado schools ask: “Need help with laundry?”
By Anne Schimke, Chalkbeat Colorado Smiling shyly, 9-year-old Morgan Pohl tossed a heap of clothes into the washer and carefully added detergent to the top of the machine. She hit the start button and headed off to lunch in the next room — the cafeteria at Doull Elementary School in southwest Denver. Doing laundry at […]
Posted inEducation, News
Denver Public Schools begins cutting 150-plus central office positions to pay for teacher raises
By Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat Colorado Denver Public Schools began the process this week of cutting more than 150 administrative positions from its central office, which will free up $17 million for raises for teachers and other district employees, as well as additional money for special education services. The Denver district has far more administrators than others in […]
Posted inEducation, News
Activists want to “flip” the Denver Public Schools board after the teachers’ strike. But the meaning is complicated
By Melanie Asmar, Chalkbeat Colorado The Denver teacher strike was, at its core, a fight for higher pay. But it was also a backlash against controversial school district policies, ballooning bureaucracy, and a sense that the powers-that-be weren’t listening to teachers. Amid all of that, a battle cry that originated with black education activists in […]
Posted inEducation, News
How long will the Denver teachers strike last? Past strikes and present considerations offer clues.
By Philissa Cramer, Chalkbeat When teachers in Los Angeles went on strike last month, their leaders warned that they would be off the job for “as long as it takes” to reach a deal with the district. They were back in class after six school days. That timeline could offer a template for what happens in Denver as […]
Posted inEducation, News
Denver teachers vote to strike with overwhelming majority in favor; Gov. Jared Polis to try and broker a deal
By Melanie Asmar, Erica Metzler and Yesenia RoblesChalkbeat Colorado Denver teachers voted overwhelmingly to go on strike for the first time in 25 years. Amid a national wave of teacher activism, they’re seeking higher pay and also a fundamental change in how the district compensates educators. Because of state rules, Monday is the earliest a […]