Teacher pay has long trailed behind other professions requiring a college degree, and in Colorado that pay gap is widest of any state, according to a report published last week by the Economic Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit think tank that identifies itself as nonpartisan. Colorado teachers earn 35.9% less than other college-educated workers, […]
University of Northern Colorado
Posted inColoradans, Education, News
Colorado teacher prep programs saw an “exodus” when COVID hit — another test for school districts facing shortages
While teaching English to Greeley elementary school students who were just starting to learn the language, Ricardo Lopez would often hear his father’s struggles in their voices. “You don’t want to see them struggle like you see someone so close to you struggle trying to communicate,” said Lopez, whose dad immigrated to the United States […]
Posted inColoradans, Education, News, Politics and Government
Student teachers are rarely paid. Colorado lawmakers, school leaders want to ensure they’re compensated.
Near the end of last semester, Jorge Cabral’s budget was on the brink. He carefully watched how he spent each dollar, limiting his purchases to essentials like shampoo and toilet paper and cutting corners with meals by buying rice and beans to last through each week. On top of getting no pay for his full-time […]
Posted inColoradans, News
Meet the “Lightsaber Guys” who are summoning the force in Greeley
It’s Thursday night on Turner Green, and the glowing blades of lightsabers clash in the dark between towering dormitories on the University of Northern Colorado campus. Spectators hoot as the triumphant opening strains of the “Star Wars” theme burst from a window. With toy lightsabers bought on a whim, the “Lightsaber Guys of UNC” have […]
Posted inEducation, Equity, Health, News
How programs across Colorado aim to end “period poverty” with free tampons and pads
As the new school term begins at Denver Public Schools, students who menstruate may be surprised to find new additions near the paper towels and soap in girls’, all-gender and teacher restrooms: free tampons and menstrual pads. While many private and public schools in the state have tampons and pads available for sale in restrooms, […]
Posted inEducation, News
Colorado will allow four-year colleges to grant associates degrees to those who dropped out
Over 13,000 Colorado residents have earned more than 70 college credits at four-year state universities in the past five years but stopped short of a degree, according to the Colorado Department of Higher Education. Now, a new Colorado law lets universities award those students with an associate’s degree. Giving students with some college an associate’s degree […]
Posted inEducation, News
Colorado is more diverse than ever, but its college professors are overwhelmingly white
By Jason Gonzales, Chalkbeat Colorado In a state that’s become increasingly diverse, the professors who teach at Colorado’s four-year colleges are overwhelmingly white. Of the 3,500 professors who have tenure, just 15 of them are Black women. Another 38 are Black men. Hispanic students now make up about 20% of the state’s universities. But Hispanic […]
Posted inEducation, News
Colorado ends “legacy admissions” for public colleges and universities, SAT/ACT requirement
By Patty Nieberg, The Associated Press/Report for America Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill Tuesday making the state a leader in the nationwide effort to ban legacy admissions at public colleges and universities. Prateek Dutta, Colorado Policy Director for Democrats for Education Reform, who brought the bill idea to state lawmakers, said Colorado is […]
Posted inEducation, News, Politics and Government
Colorado’s 2022 budget boosts K-12 spending, reverses higher ed cuts
By Jason Gonzales and Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat Colorado Colorado’s $34.1 billion proposed state budget restores deep cuts made last year to K-12 and higher education, provides more money to help students who have traditionally struggled to complete college, and creates a substantial reserve for K-12 schools that could lay the groundwork for future reforms — if […]
Posted inColoradans, COVID, Economy, Education, News
Three Colorado college programs aim to help people with disabilities join the workforce. The state is opening doors, too.
GREELEY — On a recent Friday afternoon in Greeley, Brendan Balmes stops by Crabtree Brewing Company for a beer and to say hello to his boss, Jeff Crabtree. The 28-year-old works here as an intern, but the pandemic has put things on hold for now. That does not stop Crabtree from giving Balmes a pop […]