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EDUCATION TASK FORCE


Purpose: to promote the collective actions necessary to advance equity and justice in Colorado’s education systems and policies as aligned with League positions.


The Education Task Force has been created and maintained to inform and engage members across the state to promote collective actions around education as aligned with  stated League positions. By increasing the understanding and importance of Colorado’s educational systems and policies through study and presentations, the Education Task Force will influence public policy and legislation at all levels through advocacy, while speaking with one League voice. 


The Education Task Force coordinates with local Leagues and other organizations advocating for policies in the education arena. The Task Force organizes webinars, workshops and presentations on major topics of interest and promotes justice and equity in education through advocacy at all levels of government. The Education Task Force is closely aligned with the efforts of the LWVCO Legislative Action Committee and the LWVUS to ensure cohesion.

Education Task Force Meetings
Fourth Thursday of the month, 5:30-6:30pm on Zoom
Next meeting:  March 28

Invited Guest Speaker:  Colorado Board of Education Chair, Rebecca McClellan

Invite anyone who may be interested in learning more about what's important to the Colorado State Board of Education!  https://bit.ly/49BBxc5

Please register for the Education TF meetings on the LWVCO calendar for the Zoom information.
LWVCO Calendar
All are welcome!  

A4PEP Education Forum - Sunday, February 25!

Advocates for Public Education Policy (A4PEP): 
You are invited to join A4PEP’s Virtual Forum

Schoolhouse Burning

Sunday, February 25, 2024, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Professor Derek Black, author of “Schoolhouse Burning,
will share his views on public education and democracy

JOIN HERE:

LWVCO members are invited!

Introducing the Colorado Civics Bee!

Brought to you by the US Chamber of Commerce, the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, and LWVCO.
 
Here is your chance to work with your local middle school educators on civics.  The National Civics Bee is an annual competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Participating middle school students will flex their civics knowledge for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes. The National Civics Bee takes place in early 2024, in partnership with local and state chambers of commerce across the United States, including the Colorado Chamber of Commerce.
 
Here are some helpful documents for teachers and students
 
To see the Colorado Chamber of Commerce website for the Bee, click here.

League Positions on Education
LWVCO 2022-2023 Issues for Action
See pp. 12, 34, 67+

LWVUS 2022-2024 Impact on Issues
See pp. 10, 122, 130+

Want to learn on which 2023 Education Bills the Colorado League has taken a stance?
Access all the information you need at:
2024 Master Bill Tracker


LWVCO Education Task Force and the Observer Corps
Our March 2023 Education Task Force Meeting included an outstanding discussion of two real life applications of the LWV Observer Corps model and School Board Meetings. I encourage you to watch it and think about how you might apply this important League function in your area.
Observer Corps at School Board Meetings


State Level Resources:

Governor Polis Statement Welcoming Susana Cordova as Incoming Colorado Commissioner of Education

Governor Polis Welcomes New Colorado Commissioner of Education

Colorado State Board of Education

Colorado State Board of Education
Upcoming Board meeting:  March 13-14; 9:00am
>> The CSBE holds special meetings between their regularly scheduled monthly meetings! Check their webpage for upcoming special meetings, so you can watch them live or the videos of the meetings.

School Board Observer Corps
We need League Observers for the Colorado Board of Education Meetings! Observers will take notes of all or part of the proceedings for posting below .

To volunteer to join the LWVCO Colorado Board of Education Observer Corps
, click here: 
Volunteer for the Colorado State Board of Education Observer Corps 
We also encourage League Observers to attend their local school board meetings and take notes to share.
For more information about Observer Corps, click here.


Watch Live and Access the Agendas:
Watch Live Board Meetings



Board Meeting Agendas:  CO State Board Agendas

Meeting notes from State Board Meeting on 11.10.22 available here.
LWVCO School Board Testimony regarding 11.10.22 vote:
LWVCO Testimony CO Board of Education 11-22

Colorado Department of Education
Colorado Department of Education

2022 State Accountability Report
2022 State Assessment Accountability Report Information
The Report

Colorado State Standards - Social Studies
CO State Standards: Social Studies

Colorado General Assembly Education Committees (2024):
Colorado House Education Committee
Colorado Senate Education Committee
Colorado Youth Advisory Council Interim Committee
Colorado Legislative Council

Chalkbeat Legislative Preview 2023
Legislative Preview Video

Information about California's Age-Appropriate Digital Code Legislation
Online protection for children
CA Age-Appropriate Digital Code

The Age Appropriate Design Code: How it Works
AADC: How It Works

California AADC Legislation - 5Rights' Model
California AADC Legislation

Articles, Newsletters and More

15 years after Colorado paved way for a new kind of school, students are falling short
This article's focus is the academic performance results of Colorado innovation school and innovation school zones. The reporter shares a report that compares assessment results of innovation schools, charter schools, and district run schools - all public schools.
Colorado Sun
Erica Breunlin
December 6, 2023


Colorado Republicans urge continued fight against ‘woke agenda’ in education
Colorado Newsline
Suzie Glassman
December 2, 2023
*** See the suggested legislation from the Colorado Youth Advisory Council Interim Committee's proposed legislation for 2024 on this topic. ***
Bills for Consideration


Civics Is the Latest Education Battleground
Virginia, Florida and South Dakota have new standards that focus on patriotism, Christianity and anti-communism. But debating current events? That’s discouraged.
Dana Goldstein
New York Times
November 30, 2023


How school boards became one of democracy’s front lines
Lexi Lonas
The Hill
November 26, 2023
This article offers a historical examination of local school boards.


Fourth graders in Eagle County take on Colorado River water policy
Shannon Mullane
Colorado Sun
November 24, 2023
Excellent example of very relevant problem-based learning!


STOP Moms For Liberty
Peter Greene
Forbes
November 3, 2023


Berthoud teacher named Colorado’s 2024 Teacher of the Year
Ann Schimke
Chalkbeat Colorado
October 27, 2023


Garfield County residents rallied against American Birthright social studies standards
Jenny Brundin
Colorado Public Radio
October 27, 2023


Moms for Liberty: Where are they, and are they winning?
Sana Sinha, Nicholas Zerbino, Jon Valant, & Rachel M. Perera
Brookings Governance Studies
October 10, 2023

Woodland Park teachers criticize conservative board that made sweeping changes
Erica Breunlin
Colorado Sun
October 5. 2023


Chronic Absenteeism Remains High
Absenteeism remains high, with 31% of Colorado students missing too much school last year

Erica Meltzer
Chalkbeat Colorado
October 4, 3023

Partnerships with Parents Are Key to Solving Heightened Polarization in Schools
Ashley Woo & Melissa Kay Diliberti
Brookings
Aug 10, 2023


Book Removals and Children's Civil Rights

Book removals may have violated student civil rights, Education Dept. says

[The Georgia ruling, although less far-reaching in its implications, is “a quiet shot over the bow against school districts that egregiously and without due process remove books from library shelves,” said Bruce Fuller, who studies education policy at the University of California at Berkeley’s School of Education. “When students are struggling with these issues of identity, and you ban books that are speaking to these kids, that does appear to violate the spirit of the letter of the civil rights law.”]
Washington Post, May 22, 2023

Banned Books in School and Public Libraries
The American Library Association's Views on Banned Books
This segment was aired on Amanpour & Company on May 1, 2023


Gaslighting Americans about public schools: The truth about ‘A Nation at Risk’


Confused about how Colorado public schools are financed? You are not alone! This fact sheet from The Bell Policy Center explains this complex issue in understandable language.
In the Know: School Finance

The Bell Policy Center
2023

Do school-based police officers make high schools safer? It depends on how you measure.
This detailed article brings together perspectives regarding school safety measures, gun violence in schools, and student mental health support.
The Colorado Sun
April 5, 2023

With more shootings and guns on campus, schools walk a fine line in response

This article discusses the issues related to school shootings across the US.
Chalkbeat
April 5, 2023


Getting to "Yes" on Civics Education
Opinion by Glenn C. Altschuler and David Wippman
The Hill

March 19, 2023

The racist idea that changed American education
>>The racist idea that changed American education:
How a landmark Supreme Court decision was shaped by the racist idea that poor children can’t learn.

Nov 21, 2022

Educational Equity
Where We Are Now: Educational Equity in the Pandemic Era
Education Week Special Report
November 28, 2022

NEPC - National Education Policy Center at CU Boulder

The National Education Policy Center (NEPC), a university research center housed at the
University of Colorado Boulder School of Education, produces high-quality information in
support of democratic deliberation about education policy. We publish original research, pol-
icy briefs, and expert third-party reviews of think tank reports. NEPC publications are written
in accessible language and are intended for a broad audience that includes academic experts,
policymakers, the media, and the general public.
NEPC Newsletter

Five Charts That Show How Partisan Strife Is Impacting Public Schools





Watch the most recent task force meeting from February 21, 2024, featuring Lisa Weil, Great Education Colorado here

Register for the Meeting on March 28, 2024 here.




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