Education
Colorado plans to dramatically expand COVID-19 testing in schools next year, even as restrictions go away
The state is looking for companies to operate a massive testing program backed by $173M in federal funding
How metro Denver school districts differ on COVID-19 mask rules
School districts across the Denver metro area are taking different approaches to mask-wearing as they prepare for the new academic year
Douglas County School District town hall on COVID-19 plans turns raucous
The crowd first erupted with boos when Superintendent Corey Wise displayed a slide saying the district is recommending universal masking when school begins next week
Jeffco Public Schools shelved a $170,000 report on school closures. Four years later, the district faces the same challenges.
The report wasn’t presented to the school board or the community, and no policies changed
Backlash stalled Douglas County School District’s plans to conduct diversity and equity training, records show
The Gemini Group, a consulting firm based in Denver, became a lightning rod in April and May as some community members argued their trainings were evidence the district was teaching critical race theory
More than 36,000 Colorado kids from low-income families could miss out on the Child Tax Credit, advocates fear
While families that file taxes with the IRS will get checks or deposits automatically, parents who don’t file will need to sign up
6 takeaways from a $1.5 million evaluation of Colorado’s reading law
Lawmakers commissioned the multiyear evaluation in 2019 amid growing concern that efforts driven by the READ Act had done little to boost reading scores among Colorado students. They earmarked up to $750,000 a year for the outside review.s
What should Colorado’s new Department of Early Childhood look like? Leaders want parent, teacher say.
With three months to figure out the department’s structure, the state wants to know how to improve preschool services and financial aid for families.
Adopting CDC guidance, Colorado recommends everyone wear masks in school settings
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment released its updated school guidance late Friday evening, three days after the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed their own recommendations
Jeffco Public Schools, Colorado’s second-largest district, will require masks for children under 12
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends masks for everyone in a school setting
Denver isn’t pursuing a true-up with charter schools that got federal coronavirus loans
Across the country, charter and private schools got $6 billion in paycheck protecting funding, according to Education Week
Colorado agrees to fully fund emerging online learning programs, but the state wants proof they are succeeding
Members of the State Board acknowledge they’re taking a risk with students’ education and that it will take time to know what is and isn’t working, but they believe it’s worth it
Colorado will allow four-year colleges to grant associates degrees to those who dropped out
Colorado is believed to be one the first to put into place a statewide law like this
More than half of aspiring Colorado elementary teachers fail their licensure exam on the first try. Many don’t try again.
New teachers pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket to take these exams, so there is a lot at stake
In bid to boost Colorado reading scores, small program shows promise where larger efforts failed
From Englewood to Lamar, other school leaders agree, and many have sought additional grant funding or district dollars to preserve initiatives
Colorado’s new COVID guidance for schools: Masks not required, quarantine rules relaxed
Some Colorado school districts have already announced they won’t require masks next year, while in others, officials said they were weighing their options and waiting for state guidance
One of Colorado’s poorest school districts gave its superintendent a 17% raise after losing $1M-plus in state funding
The $30K pay bump prompted the board president to resign and has the local teachers union asking questions after a battle over teacher pay.
Michael Bennet believes the child tax credit expansion will be made permanent. But he’s not sure how long it will take.
The Colorado Democrat said during a Colorado Sun event that he’s still not sure for how long the expansion would be extended under Democrats’ $3.5 trillion spending bill
Two new medical schools are opening in Montana. But does the western U.S. really need them?
Rocky Vista University, which has a campus in Colorado, is one of two organizations planning new Montana medical schools. People who provide hands-on experiences for students worry the state doesn't have enough clinical opportunities to support the flood of new students.
Should Colorado students wear masks in school next academic year? Most districts are still weighing their options.
School officials in many communities face competing pressures between public health guidance, parents who want a more “normal” school year for their children, and other parents who want to see COVID precautions remain in place
New Colorado law banning most American Indian mascots forces schools to confront cultural shifts
Critics resisting the new rule cite tradition, state overreach and the high cost to change team names like Redskins, Savages, Indians and Warriors. Some plan to sue to keep the mascots.
