cbresnahan, Author at Stand for Children Colorado

Capitol Week in Review

Capitol Week in Review | 03/24/2023

Bri Buentello Government Affairs Advisory

Capitol Week in Review brings you news of bills we are tracking around our priorities of advancing educational equity and racial justice in Colorado and making our schools and communities safer and more supportive.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

HB23-1001, Expanding Assistance For Educator Programs, which supports student teachers toward the goal of diversifying the teacher workforce, was sent to the Governor for signature.

HB23-1003, School Mental Health Assessment, which creates the sixth through twelfth grade mental health assessment program was passed on third readings by the House.

HB23-1089, Special Education Services For Students In Foster Care, which designates students in out-of-home placements as residents of the school district of their school of origin to increase stability and learning success, passed on third readings out of the House.

HB22-1112, Earned Income And Child Tax Credits, which increases percentages of the federal credit that a resident individual can claim for the child tax credit on their state income tax and requires the Department of Revenue to adjust for inflation, is scheduled to be heard in the House Finance Committee on March 27.

HB23-1151, Clarifications To 48-hour Bond Hearing Requirement, passed unanimously out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Current law requires an individual who is in jail to be brought before a judge for a bond hearing within 48-hours of arriving at the jail. This bill builds off previous bail reform to further clarify that medical emergencies or addiction treatment is an exception to the 48-hour rule, that the hearing can be held remotely or even through a phone call.

HB23-1169, Limit Arrest For Low-level Offenses, which prohibits a peace officer from arresting a person based solely on the alleged commission of a petty offense, except for high level misdemeanors directly impacting victims (e.g. theft), was rescheduled to be heard by the House Judiciary Committee March 28.

HB23-1235, Technical Modification To Department Of Early Childhood, which makes technical changes HB22-1295, which created Colorado’s universal preschool program, is scheduled to be heard on March 29 in the House Education Committee. This bill would allow the Department of Early Childhood to enter into contracts for early literacy programming and whole-child services, and ensures policy is aligned to current state and federal standards was introduced in the House and assigned to the House Education Committee.

HB23-1241, Task Force To Study K-12 Accountability System, which creates a task force to study academic opportunities, inequities, practices in schools, and improvements to the accountability and accreditation system, is scheduled to be heard on March 29 in the House Education Committee.

HB23-1249, Reduce Justice Involvement for Young Children, was introduced in the House. This bill changes the minimum age – from 10 to 13 – of children who are subject to prosecution in juvenile court; except in the case of homicide.

SB23-039, Reduce Child And Incarcerated Parent Separation, which requires the Department of Human Services to prioritize and facilitate communication and family time between children and their parents who are incarcerated, passed second readings in the Senate.

Our Take

As we shared in last week’s edition of Capitol Week in Review, increasing funding for the Ninth Grade Success Grant program is a top priority of Stand Colorado. 9th grade has come to be well known as the make-or-break year. How well students perform academically in 9th grade can predict their future success. The first year in high school has a huge impact on whether students graduate. In fact, students who end 9th grade on-track are three times more likely to graduate from high school than their off-track peers. (toandthrough.uchicago.edu)

In Colorado, the Center for High School Success (CHSS), a Stand for Children program, partners with four districts who receive funds through the Ninth Grade Success Grant Program. In the 2021-22 school year, On-Track Rates in schools that partner with CHSS in Colorado grew an average of 19 percentage points, drastically increasing the number of students who will graduate in 2025.

It’s clear that implementing a focused 9th grade success is changing the trajectory for Colorado students. By ensuring that students finish their 9th grade year on-track, we ensure students graduate high school prepared for post-secondary success.

Learn more here.

Take Action

The House Appropriations Committee is considering HB23-1231, a bill to support math educators with evidence-based training and interventions to help K- 12th grade students struggling in math. The bill also includes $1.6 million for the Ninth Grade Success Grant program to help ensure that more Colorado students finish their 9th grade year on-track and graduate high school prepared for post-secondary success. Ask the Appropriations Committee to support HB23-1231 with one click!

What We’re Reading

Chalkbeat’s Education Bill Tracker

9th Grade Success: An Approach Worth Investing In

High School Success | 03/18/2023

Krista Spurgin Executive Director

Why 9th Grade Matters

9th grade has come to be well known as the make-or-break year. How well students perform academically in 9th grade can predict their future success. The first year in high school has a huge impact on whether students graduate. In fact, students who end 9th grade on-track are three times more likely to graduate from high school than their off-track peers. (toandthrough.uchicago.edu)

To be on-track means a 9th grade student has earned at least a quarter of the credits needed to graduate and received no more than one F in any course. Research shows that on-track status is a stronger predictor of high school graduation than race/ethnicity, level of poverty, and test scores combined!

At Stand Colorado, we prioritize policy solutions and implementation efforts to ensure that high schools across the state are implementing a 9th grade success approach, a proven strategy to improve graduation rates.

What’s happening in Colorado

In 2019, the Colorado state legislature created the Ninth Grade Success Grant Program. Informed by the research around 9th grade success, the grant supports schools to implement key components of a 9th grade success approach including establishing Ninth Grade Teams, implementing data systems and transition programs, and providing targeted instructional support for ninth grade students. Stand Colorado championed efforts to secure $800K for the Grant Program to maximize the number of Colorado students who finish 9th grade on-track.

There are currently nine Colorado school districts receiving funds through the grant. In Colorado, the Center for High School Success (CHSS), a Stand for Children program, partners with four of those districts, Denver Public Schools, Center Consolidated Schools 26JT, Poudre, and Pueblo 60, to increase 9th Grade On-Track Rates. Colorado’s Center for High School Success, which currently partners with eight total districts across Colorado provides coaching, training, collaboration, and data and technical support. In the 2021-22 school year, On-Track Rates in schools that partner with CHSS in Colorado grew an average of 19 percentage points, drastically increasing the number of students who will graduate in 2025.

Take Action

The House is considering HB23-1231, a bill to support math educators with evidence-based training and interventions to help K- 12th grade students struggling in math. The bill also includes $1.6 million for the Ninth Grade Success Grant program to help ensure that more Colorado students finish their 9th grade year on-track and graduate high school prepared for post-secondary success. Ask your representative to support HB23-1231 with one click!

EMAIL LAWMAKERS

Capitol Week in Review

Capitol Week in Review | 03/3/2023

Bri Buentello Government Affairs Advisory

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

HB23-1001, Expanding Assistance For Educator Programs, which supports student teachers toward the goal of diversifying the teacher workforce, is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Education Committee on March 6.

HB23-1024, Relative And Kin Placement Of A Child, which establishes measures to support reunification of a child or youth with their family when the child or youth has been temporarily placed with a relative or kin outside of the family home, passed unanimously in the House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee and was referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

HB23-1064, Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, which makes it easier for active-duty military spouses to transfer their teaching licenses without further testing, thereby allowing them to teach in Colorado classrooms faster, passed out of the Senate.

HB23-1100, Restrict Government Involvement In Immigration Detention, passed out of the House. For years, Colorado taxpayers have been picking up the bill of the federal government by allowing the state to contract a private company to house or detain individuals for federal civil immigration purposes. This bill would prevent any such further contracts and begins a review process of these contracts over the next two years. It passed out of the House on third readings, 41-22.

HB23-1109, School Policies and Student Conduct, was heard in the House Education Committee and laid over for a vote. This bill aims to strengthen due process rights for students, particularly as pertains to behavior off school grounds and outside of school hours. It also increases the training for expulsion hearing officers, including training around disabilities and trauma-informed care and interventions.

HB23-1145, Hearing Timelines Juveniles in Adult Facilities, which aligns Colorado law’s hearing timelines for juveniles held in an adult facility while awaiting trial with the timelines in the federal “Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act”, is scheduled to be heard in the Senate on March 6.

HB23-1172, Child Welfare And Juvenile Court Jurisdiction, a bill brought by Denver Area Human Services that seeks to provide improved care for children in foster care while maintaining parent rights, was introduced in the Senate.

HB23-1187, Alternatives In Criminal Justice System And Pregnant Persons, which requires the court to consider alternatives, such as probation, to pregnant or postpartum defendants if the risk of incarceration outweighs risk to the public, passed out of the House 44 – 19.

HB23-1188, Individualized Learning Schools And Programs, which authorizes a public or charter school to offer an individualized learning program or become an individualized learning school, was rescheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee on March 23.

HB23-1198, Teacher Externship Program for Science Technology Engineering and Math Disciplines, which creates a statewide program to provide kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers work-based learning opportunities, is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee on March 8.

HB23-1207, Stipends For National Board-certified Educators, which allows cash stipends (up to $3200) for teachers, social workers, librarians and administrators serving in low-performing, rural or high needs school districts, is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee on March 8.

HB23-1211, Collect Data Language Translation Services Special Education, which requires the department of education to track the provision of language translation services related to IEPs and include such data as part of its annual “SMART Act” hearing, is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee on March 9.

Our Take

Hundreds of Colorado students are expelled from schools every year for low-level nonviolent conduct or based on mere allegations. This disproportionately impacts children of color and students with disabilities.

On Thursday, the House Education Committee heard HB23-1109, School Policies And Student Conduct. This is a bill that promotes restorative practices, ensures reduced legal system involvement, fosters fairness in a system that otherwise considers students guilty until proven innocent, and creates accountability for unregulated and untrained expulsion hearing officers. After hours of testimony, the bill was laid over for a vote on March 16.

Expelling students exposes them to a greater likelihood of delinquency or criminal system involvement and is therefore more expensive and less effective than keeping students in school. We’re so grateful to the parents, educators, and community leaders who joined us to testify in support of this legislation. We stand for safe and supportive schools and communities for all students and are proud to advocate for this bill alongside so many students, educators, and legal experts.

Here’s what they had to say:

“If we don’t make the change now to have skillful and well-versed advocates making informed decisions for our students and their families then we are accepting a system that funnels students out of the classroom and into the juvenile and criminal legal system.” Tina Carroll, educator, parent, and Stand Advocacy Fellow

“…young people will someday become adults and if we continue to treat them like marginalized members of society, we may pay a higher price in the end. If someone had taken the time to see me as more than a problem to get rid of, I might have had an easier road to get to where I am now.” Jesse Rula, educator, parent, and Stand Advocacy Fellow

“As a high school counselor, I am forced to witness and triage the fallout of failed exclusionary discipline on practically a daily basis. Our best, most obvious solution is to focus on… addressing the harm done to individual and community…while focusing heavily on the rehabilitation of the perpetrator.” Lauren Kinney, school counselor and Stand Advocacy Fellow

Take Action

What We’re Reading

‘I spent over $6,763 on phone calls’: Colorado lawmakers debate bill to offer free phone calls to inmates

Chalkbeat’s Education Bill Tracker

This Month at the DPS Board

This Month at the DPS Board | 02/28/2023

Vallerie Bustamante Parent Organizer

Welcome to the February edition of “This Month at the DPS Board”, a monthly newsletter sharing information about the Denver Public Schools (DPS) Board of Education.

Our goal is simple: to share what is happening at school board meetings so you can engage with the board and the district even if you cannot attend hours of meetings every month.

Finance and Audit Committee – February 13, 2023

Budget Items for Consent Agenda

A variety of items were presented for the Board’s consent agenda including HVAC contracts, construction and project budgets.

Additional agenda items are being rescheduled to later in the month or March.

Public Comment and Progress Monitoring Session – February 21, 2023

Superintendent Report

Superintendent Marrero shared that during the board meeting he would provide updates on declining enrollment and new information related to the school choice process. He also said he would, once again, call for a collaborative solution to address gun violence.

Policy Governance

Staff presented the 2023 reasonable interpretations of the ends policy statements, elaborating the more detailed pieces within these long-term goals that are connected to the strategic roadmap. You can read these draft statements below.

Ends 1.3 Equity Reasonable Interpretation

Ends 1.2Teaching and Learning Reasonable Interpretation

Ends 1.3 Student and Staff Well Being Reasonable Interpretation

Ends 1.4 Health and Safety Reasonable Interpretation

Ends 1.5 Post-Graduation and Global Citizenship Reasonable Interpretation

Ends 1.4 Climate Action Reasonable Interpretation

Board Meeting – February 23, 2023

The DPS Board Rescinds the Board Member Compensation Resolution

The Board discussed rescinding the resolution created in 2021 to compensate a Board Member. The whole board voted in favor of the revised resolution and to further discuss other limitations in pay.

Declining Enrollment

Superintendent Marrero and DPS staff gave an update on student enrollment numbers and the plans for community input in the small schools conversation. He emphasized that they are not making any decisions on choosing schools right now. However, he highlighted that enrollment numbers continue to decline since 2014 by 6,485 students according to most recent enrollment statistics. Middle School enrollment declined by 1,612 Students since the peak in 2019.

The district is considering 15 schools with low enrollment and are now partnering with each school community to investigate sustainable solutions. They are committed to making sure that vulnerable students are the focus as well as reassuring employment for staff. They are striving to include community by sharing information on enrollment trends, financial and programmatic implications, and more. They will also make sure to gather feedback throughout the process.

They also presented information about three schools that have critically low enrollment; Denver Discovery, MSLA, and Fairview Elementary that are likely to close. Twelve other schools are being considered and the Superintendent will be engaging the community to move forward with plans in those schools.

Recommendations around the three schools with critically low enrolment are expected as early as the next voting meeting in March. The recommendations for the 12 other schools will be presented in the September voting meeting.

First and Second Read in EL and ENDS

The DPS Board and Policy Governance guide, Dr. Charles presented a few first and second reads of Executive Limitations (EL) and ENDS statements. Ends/Goals Policies are descriptions of the long-term goals for the district that tend to reflect what is in the strategic roadmap. Executive Limitations are legal and value boundaries that serve as guardrails for the superintendent to achieve stated goals.

The first EL discussed was EL 5 Commitment to Accomplishment and Accountability, which has added content to address the dashboard that is yet to be created. The added policy language is to ensure standardized test scores are not on the proposed dashboard and ensure there are no financial incentives with the dashboard. According to the policy, schools should not be ranked, and schools are not assigned a summative color, star rating, number, or grade or school. The following are the rest of the first and second reads that were voted in during the meeting:

First read of EL 16 Financial Administration
First read of EL 18 School Unification and Consolidations
Second Read Ends 2.3 Teaching and Learning
Second Read Ends 4 Safety
Second Read Ends 5 Post Graduation and Global Citizenship
Second Read EL 4 Communication and Counsel to the Board
Second Read EL 6 Educational Program
SY22-23 Reasonable Interpretations – Ends Policies

The consent agenda was approved unanimously.

ENGAGE WITH THE BOARD

Do you want to let the board know your thoughts on any of these topics? You can sign up for public comment and speak directly to the board about what matters to you. You can sign up here.

Nuestro objetivo es sencillo: compartir lo que ocurre en las reuniones del consejo escolar, de modo que pueda comprometerse con el consejo y el distrito aunque no pueda asistir a horas de reuniones cada mes.

Comité de Finanzas y Auditoría – 13 de febrero de 2023

Puntos presupuestarios del orden del día

Se presentaron varios puntos para el orden del día consensuado de la Junta Directiva, incluidos contratos de climatización, construcción y presupuestos de proyectos.

Otros puntos de la agenda del día se han reprogramado para finales de mes o para marzo.

Comentarios del público y sesión de seguimiento – 21 de febrero de 2023

Informe del Superintendente

El Superintendente Marrero compartió que durante la reunión de la junta se proporcionó información actualizada sobre la disminución de la inscripción y la nueva información relacionada con el proceso de elección de escuela. También dijo que, una vez más, pediría una solución de colaboración para hacer frente a la violencia armada.

Gobernanza política

El personal presentó las interpretaciones razonables de 2023 de las declaraciones políticas de fines, elaborando las piezas más detalladas dentro de estos objetivos a largo plazo que están conectadas con la hoja de ruta estratégica. Puede leer estos borradores a continuación.

Finalidad 1.3 Equidad Interpretación razonable

Finalidad 1.2 Enseñanza y aprendizaje Interpretación razonable

Finalidad 1.3 Bienestar de los estudiantes y del personal Interpretación razonable

Finalidad 1.4 Salud y seguridad Interpretación razonable

Finalidad 1.5 Posgraduación y ciudadanía global Interpretación razonable

Finalidad 1.4 Acción por el clima Interpretación razonable

Reunión de la Junta Directiva – 23 de febrero de 2023

La Junta Directiva del DPS anula la Resolución sobre la remuneración de los miembros de la Junta Directiva

La Junta debatió la anulación de la resolución creada en 2021 para compensar a un miembro de la Junta. Toda la Junta votó a favor de la resolución revisada y de seguir debatiendo otras limitaciones en la paga.

Disminución de las registraciones

Superintendente Marrero y el personal de DPS dio una actualización sobre los números de inscripción de estudiantes y los planes para la participación de la comunidad en la conversación de las escuelas pequeñas. Hizo hincapié en que no están tomando ninguna decisión sobre la elección de escuelas en este momento. Sin embargo, destacó que los números de inscripción siguen disminuyendo desde 2014 por 6,485 estudiantes según las estadísticas de inscripción más recientes. La inscripción de la Escuela Intermedia disminuyó en 1,612 estudiantes desde el pico en 2019.

El distrito está considerando 15 escuelas con baja inscripción y ahora se están asociando con cada comunidad escolar para investigar soluciones sostenibles. Se han comprometido a asegurarse de que los estudiantes vulnerables sean el centro de atención, así como a asegurar el empleo del personal. Se están esforzando por incluir a la comunidad compartiendo información sobre las tendencias de inscripción, las implicaciones financieras, programáticas y mucho más. También se asegurarán de recabar opiniones a lo largo del proceso.

También presentaron información sobre tres escuelas que tienen una inscripción críticamente baja; Denver Discovery, MSLA, y Fairview Elementary que es probable que cierren. Otras doce escuelas están siendo consideradas y el Superintendente estará involucrando a la comunidad para avanzar con los planes en esas escuelas.

Las recomendaciones en torno a las tres escuelas con inscripción críticamente baja se esperan tan pronto como la próxima reunión de votación en marzo. Las recomendaciones para las otras 12 escuelas se presentarán en la reunión de votación de septiembre.

Primera y segunda lectura en EL y ENDS

La Junta de DPS y la guía de Gobierno de Políticas, el Dr. Charles presentó las primeras y segundas lecturas de las Limitaciones Ejecutivas (EL) y las declaraciones de FINES. Las Políticas de Fines/Metas son descripciones de las metas a largo plazo para el distrito que tienden a reflejar lo que está en la hoja de ruta estratégica. Las limitaciones ejecutivas son límites legales y de valores que sirven de barandillas para que el superintendente alcance los objetivos establecidos.

El primer EL discutido fue EL 5to Compromiso con el logro y la rendición de cuentas, que ha añadido contenido para abordar el tablero de instrumentos que aún no se ha creado. El lenguaje de la política añadida es asegurar que los resultados de las pruebas estandarizadas no están en el tablero de instrumentos propuesto y asegurar que no hay incentivos financieros con el tablero de instrumentos. De acuerdo con la política, las escuelas no deben ser clasificados, y las escuelas no se les asigna un color sumativa, clasificación por estrellas, numero, o el grado o la escuela. Los siguientes son el resto de la primera y segunda lecturas que se votaron durante la reunión:

Primera lectura de EL 16 Administración financiera
Primera lectura de EL 18 Unificación y consolidación de escuelas
Segunda lectura Finales 2.3 Enseñanza y aprendizaje
Segunda lectura Finales 4 Seguridad
Segunda lectura EL 5 Posgrado y Ciudadanía Global
Segunda lectura EL 4 Comunicación y Asesoramiento al Consejo
Segunda lectura EL 6 Programa educativo
SY22-23 Interpretaciones razonables – Finales Políticas

El orden del día aprobado por unanimidad.

COMPROMETERSE CON LA JUNTA DIRECTIVA ¿Quiere dar a conocer a la Junta su opinión sobre alguno de estos temas? Puede inscribirse para hacer comentarios públicos y hablar directamente a la Junta sobre lo que le importa. Puede inscribirse aquí.

Capitol Week in Review

Capitol Week in Review | 02/24/2023

Bri Buentello Government Affairs Advisory

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

HB23-1024, Relative And Kin Placement Of A Child, which establishes measures to support reunification of a child or youth with their family when the child or youth has been temporarily placed with a relative or kin outside of the family home, is scheduled to be heard in the House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee on March 1.

HB23-1100, Restrict Government Involvement In Immigration Detention, passed on the House floor and a final vote is expected early next week. For years, Colorado taxpayers have been picking up the bill of the federal government by allowing the state to contract a private company to house or detain individuals for federal civil immigration purposes. This bill would prevent any such further contracts and begins a review process of these contracts over the next two years.

HB23-1109, School Policies and Student Conduct is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee on March 2. This bill aims to strengthen due process rights for students, particularly as pertains to behavior off school grounds and outside of school hours. It also increases the training for expulsion hearing officers, including training around disabilities and trauma-informed care and interventions.

HB23-1133, Cost Of Phone Calls For Persons In Custody, which mandates that the Department of Corrections (DOC) shall provide communications services to persons in DOC custody in a correctional facility or private prison, was passed out of House Judiciary and referred to the Committee on Appropriations on a vote of 8-4.

HB23-1168, Legal Representation And Students With Disabilities, which requires CDE to create and maintain a list of attorneys qualified to represent a parent in a due process complaint and creates a fund to pay attorneys defending parents against due process complaints filed by an education provider, passed unanimously out of the House of Education and was referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

HB23-1188, Individualized Learning Schools And Programs, which authorizes a public or charter school to offer an individualized learning program or become an individualized learning school, is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee on March 2.

HB23-1212, Promotion Of Apprenticeships, directs the Office of Future of Work in the Department of Labor and Employment to create an apprenticeship navigator pilot program to promote apprenticeships to high school students, was introduced in the House.

SB23-004, Employment Of School Mental Health Professionals, which authorizes a school district to employ health professions, such as psychologists, who are not licensed by the Colorado Department of Education but hold a Colorado license for their profession, was referred to the Committee of the Whole and will be placed on the consent calendar in the Senate.

SB23-115, Department of Education Supplemental, which moves state dollars towards the Deptartment of Education for programs administered by the state, passed out of the House and will now be sent to the Governor.

SB23-136, Adjustments To School Funding Fiscal Year 2022-23, which concerns the adjustment of state dollars to local school districts, passed out of the House and will now be sent to the Governor.

SB23-158, Sunset Colorado Commission On Criminal And Juvenile Justice, which continues the Commission until September 1, 2028, was introduced in the Senate.

OUR TAKE

We are thrilled HB23-1133, Cost Of Phone Calls For Persons In Custody, which mandates that the Department of Corrections (DOC) provide communications services to persons in DOC custody in a correctional facility or private prison, passed out of the House Judiciary Committee.

Natalie Perez, Stand Community Organizer, testified in support of the bill saying, “Phone calls should be accessible. It seems absurd that inmates have to pay the current rates for a phone call when sometimes that is the only way they can stay in touch with their loved ones.”

1 in 3 families with an incarcerated loved one goes into debt trying to pay predatory prison telecom vendors to maintain contact and 87% of the financial burden is borne by women. Every child deserves to hear “I love you” from their parent. Communication mitigates the trauma suffered by the 1 in 28 children whose parents are incarcerated. When people incarcerated are connected to their outside lives there are less incidents in facilities and recidivism is reduced. The positive social and fiscal benefits associated with communication significantly outweigh its costs.

WHAT WE’RE READING

For part-time college faculty, Colorado bill offers some relief. What about the larger problem?

Chalkbeat’s Education Bill Tracker

What We’re Championing this Legislative Session

Legislation | 02/20/2023

Bri Buentello Government Affairs Director

At Stand for Children Colorado we advocate for policy solutions in the areas of early literacy, high school success, and safe and supportive schools and communities. This session we are proud to be championing and supporting key bills to support Colorado’s students, educators, and families.

This session, we are prioritizing policies to (specific bill details below as they are introduced):

Expand funding for the Ninth Grade On-Track and Expelled and At-Risk Student Services (EARSS) grant programs.
Remove barriers to support teaching candidates, expanding and diversifying the educator workforce.
Ensure equitable school funding.
Eliminate the, currently allowable, practice of lying to juveniles during interrogation.
Update probation and parole supervision to include remote check-in options and early release for education credits earned.
Cap the cost of phone calls from prison or jail.

Remove barriers to support teaching candidates, expanding and diversifying the educator workforce.

HB23-1001 Expanding Assistance For Educator Programs, a continuation of HB22-1220, expands eligibility for financial assistance and offers loan forgiveness to a larger pool of educators who qualify for state programs.

HB23-1064 Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact creates a compact to make it easier for active-duty military spouses to transfer their teaching licenses without further testing, thereby allowing them to teach in Colorado classrooms faster.

SB23-087 Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Program creates a teacher degree apprenticeship program as an alternative route to teacher licensure which helps to alleviate the educator shortage.

Eliminate the, currently allowable, practice of lying to juveniles during interrogation.

HB23-1042, Admissibility Standards For Juvenile Statements increases funding for interrogation training for law enforcement, as well as improves the general reliability of confessions by requiring all juvenile interrogations to be recorded.

Expanding and Diversifying CO’s Educator workforce

Legislation | 02/16/2023

Krista Spurgin Executive Director

At Stand Colorado, we believe that a robust, quality, and diverse educator workforce is critical to ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality education. Research has shown all students benefit from having a diverse teaching staff. Research has also shown that students of color benefit tremendously (including better academic performance and increased likelihood of going to college) when there is a more diverse teacher workforce. Yet, many Colorado students may not have a single teacher of color in elementary, middle, or high school. Colorado classrooms have more than 49% BIPOC students, but 86% of teachers are white.

Additionally, we know that a large majority of schools across Colorado are struggling with teacher shortages, limiting the capacity of school teams and hindering the educational experience of students across the state.

Stand Colorado has championed efforts to develop and pass, and now continue to advocate for, innovative policy solutions to address financial and other barriers to educators entering the workforce to ensure an expanded and more diverse educator workforce, which is critical for all of Colorado’s students to experience just and supportive schools.

Policy Solutions

In 2022, we were proud to champion legislation to remove barriers for educators entering the workforce.

HB22-1220 Removing Barriers to Educator Preparation removes barriers in educator preparation to support teacher candidates entering the workforce by supporting teacher candidates by paying them for their student teaching work, removing financial barriers by paying for teacher exam fees, expanding pathways to licensure by allowing multiple ways to demonstrate competency. HB22-1220 was signed into law in 2022.

In 2023, we are supporting the following bills to remove barriers and expand and diversify the teacher pipeline in Colorado.

SB23-087 Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Program creates a teacher degree apprenticeship program as an alternative route to teacher licensure which helps to alleviate the educator shortage. *Bill under review by Stand.

Educator and Policymaker Support

“The traditional pathways to teaching are creating artificial barriers to BIPOC teacher candidates from entering the profession in greater numbers. Unpaid student teaching is another barrier that reduces the diversity of the teaching force, requiring some students to take on second and third jobs in their attempts to satisfy the requirements of their programs. Addressing these issues would remove some of the barriers that are keeping Colorado schools from diversifying their teaching staff.” Brooke Sassi, CO Literacy Interventionist

“Ask any administrator in education right now about how recruiting and retaining high quality educators is going, and it will be extremely clear that any and all programs to help find and retain high quality educators should be a top policy priority.” Anthony Abel-Pype, CO Educator

“Every school district in Colorado is feeling the effects of the teacher shortage, and our bill eliminates financial barriers educators face when entering the workforce. Building on the work of last year, our bill expands the pool of educators who can take advantage of loan forgiveness programs and student educator stipends. Colorado’s teacher shortage is dire, and our bill works to get more qualified teachers in classrooms across the state.” Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins

“We’re tackling Colorado’s teacher shortage through a multi-faceted approach, and that includes breaking down financial barriers future educators face while entering the workforce. Teachers across the state have echoed the same concerns; they’re facing considerable burnout and are overworked. In order to get more teachers in classrooms, our bill expands the number of educators who qualify for loan forgiveness and stipend programs. Investing in our teachers strengthens our schools and supports our students.” Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango.

This Month at the DPS Board

This Month at the DPS Board | 02/1/2023

Vallerie Bustamante Parent Organizer

Welcome to the January edition of “This Month at the DPS Board”, a monthly newsletter sharing information about the Denver Public Schools (DPS) Board of Education.

Our goal is simple: to share what is happening at school board meetings so you can engage with the board and the district even if you cannot attend hours of meetings every month.

Work Session – January 5, 2023

School Board Recognition Month

Superintendent Marrero and DPS staff shared a speech to recognize the work of the school board.

Charter Renewal Discussion

DPS staff explained the charter renewal process and the recommendations set forth on the schools that are due for renewal. The renewal process takes about seven months to complete, ending with a board vote in January to accept or reject recommendations. DPS staff conduct observational visits and interviews and review budgets, enrollment projections, audits, and metrics of school sustainability to create recommendations for the board. They explained that there were several unique circumstances that affected the recommendations. The circumstances are that CDE published the State SPF for the first time since COVID, many schools had low participation testing rates, and there was limited growth data. They explained that they divided the schools up for renewal into two matrixes. Matrix A are schools “with 95% or greater Accountability Participation rate and 60%+ growth participation in both Math & English Language Arts” and Matrix B are schools “with lower than 95% Accountability Participation rate OR lower than 60% growth participation”.

The schools that received 3+ years that were in Matrix A and B can be found here. The only school that received a non-renewable recommendation is STRIVE Prep-Kepner. There were three schools that received a 1-year extension due to insufficient state data which included Academy 360 and STRIVE Prep- SMART. The contract with STRIVE Prep-Lake will be relinquished.

Policy Governance Work Time

The board spent the remainder of the Work Session meeting working policy development for policy Ends 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5.

Special Board Meeting – January 12, 2023

MLK Day Celebration

With Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrated Monday January 16^th, the community from East High School presented the work they have been doing since before 1990 around honoring Dr. King’s work and celebrating his birthday.

Financial Report

The annual budget cycle for DPS starts in July and ends in June. The budget for the next fiscal year is usually set in May and potentially amended halfway through the year in January after the state of the district. As it stands now, the district faces a shortfall that increases each year. The district is spending more than it is generating, but because of short staffing and the supplemental budget they can balance the budget. Low enrollment continues to be a point of contention and the Superintendent will do his own analysis to decide what to do with schools who are under-enrolled. The district is hoping to see an increase in enrollment or for the state legislators to support through school finance reform.

Charter Renewals

The meeting ended with a vote on the consent agenda where the Board voted to not renew STRIVE Prep Kepner’s Charter contract and STRIVE Prep- Lake surrendered its contract.

Budget Advisory Committee Meeting – January 23, 2023

The Committee reviewed the 2022-2023 budget and the 2023-2024 financial drivers. They have seen increases in some areas since adopting the budget including additional funds paid through the DCTA compensation due to educators continuing education and getting advanced degrees as well as the District’s movement to pay all paraprofessionals $20 per hour. Some positions are still open, which results in spending less than they forecast. They are forecasted to spend $8 million more than they were originally projecting last spring and a $9 million use of their reserves.

Committee members received an update on ESSER funding on spending and recommend budget allocations. They have spent just under $78.1 million, which is about 35% of their allocation for ESSER II and III. They also discussed budget principles for the 2023-2024 school year.

Public Comment and Progress Monitoring Session – January 24, 2023

DPS staff shared an update related to progress monitoring. The goal of this session is to share where the district is on its Executive Limitations and Ends Policies. – “What does our data or actions tell us our district’s current state and/or progress?”

Ends 2 – Teaching and Learning – READ Act Results (not CMAS results):

Cohort data shows that of the students reading on grade level by the end of 3^rd grade, 73% of those students met the PSAT benchmark for reading and writing in 9^th grade. Showing the importance of being able to read at grade level by the end of 3^rd grade.
District goals include increasing the percentage of students reading at grade level by 10% and decreasing the percentage of students reading significantly below grade level by 10%.
Fall 2022 READ results included an increase in the percentage of students “Significantly Below Grade Level” resulting in 2,182 more students on READ Plans.
Continued disparities for students of color – i.e. 66% of white students are at grade level or above versus 36% of Hispanic students.
Summer Connections programming appears to have a strong impact on preventing “summer slide”
New literacy curriculum has been adopted by DPS along with teachers being trained in the Science of Reading including specific training for ELA-S teachers.

Regular Board Meeting – January 26, 2023

Board Report: Career and Technical Education (CTE)

January is Career and Technical Education (CTE) month and district staff presented an update on CTE in DPS, which is included as a priority in the district’s Strategic Roadmap saying, “Expand Career and Technical Education by increasing course and pathway diversity, access, and success to ensure students are prepared to compete in the current labor market and high-demand industries.”

CTE programs are offered in most DPS district run high schools, and the team is developing more CTE Pathways in schools that are aligned to High Growth, High Wage industries in the Denver Community for equitable distribution of programming throughout the district.

Staff reported that students across DPS find great success in CTE and named completion of CTE certification as a predictor of high school graduation.

View the presentation here and CTE’s one pager here.

Superintendent Report: Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC)

District staff presented information about the new Colorado Department of Early Childhood, changes in the process for families to enroll their child in preschool and how these changes will impact families in DPS.

Previously, preschool students participated in preschool through DPS Choice and Enrollment system. Preschool students qualified for state funding via the Colorado Preschool Program (CPP) and Denver Preschool Program (DPP). For the 2023-24 School Year, all 4-year-old students will qualify for a half day of tuition free preschool with participating providers and families will now apply to CDEC and DPS to enroll in the process.

Four-year-olds in Colorado are eligible for half day preschool (tuition free) and those with qualifying factors are eligible for additional hours of tuition free preschool. Three-year-olds with qualifying factors are eligible for at least part-time (10 hours per week) preschool programming. Additionally, DPS Early Childhood Education programs will now be able to serve 20 students per classroom, instead of the previous limit of 16.

Choice and application windows are as follows:

Friday, January 13 – Tuesday, February 14 at 4:00 pm – Families of ECE students must complete the DPS SchoolChoice application.
Tuesday, January 17 – Tuesday, February 15 at 4:00 pm – Families of ECE students must complete the UPK Colorado application.

View the presentation here.

Policy Governance

Staff presented the first reading of Ends 4 Safety and Ends 5 Post Graduation and Global Citizenship and a second reading Ends 2 Teaching and Learning and Ends 3 Student and Staff Well-Being, policy governance policies. The board voted to postpone Ends 2.3 indefinitely in light of a proposed amendment but passed the rest of Ends 2 and Ends 3.

Consent Agenda

The board approved the Consent Agenda which included minutes from previous meetings, amended budget for 2022-23 and Personnel Transaction Report.

ENGAGE WITH THE BOARD

Do you want to let the board know your thoughts on any of these topics? You can sign up for public comment and speak directly to the board about what matters to you. You can sign up here.

Este mes en la Junta de DPS

Bienvenidos a la edición de enero de “Este mes en la Junta de DPS”, un boletín mensual que comparte información sobre la Junta de Educación de las Escuelas Públicas de Denver (DPS).

Nuestro objetivo es sencillo: para compartir lo que ocurre en las reuniones del consejo escolar, de modo que pueda comprometerse con el consejo y el distrito, aunque no pueda asistir a horas de reuniones cada mes.

Sesión de trabajo – 5 de enero de 2023

Mes del reconocimiento del Consejo Escolar.

El Superintendente Marrero y el personal de DPS compartieron un discurso para reconocer el trabajo del consejo escolar.

Discusión sobre la renovación de estatutos.

El personal de DPS explicó el proceso de renovación de estatutos y las recomendaciones establecidas sobre las escuelas que deben renovarse. El proceso de renovación tarda unos siete meses en completarse, y termina con una votación del consejo en enero para aceptar o rechazar las recomendaciones. El personal de DPS realiza visitas de observación, entrevistas y revisa los presupuestos, ~~las~~ proyecciones de matrículas, ~~las~~ auditorías y las métricas de sostenibilidad de la escuela para crear recomendaciones para el consejo. Ellos explicaron que había varias circunstancias únicas que habían afectado las recomendaciones. Las circunstancias son que la CDE publicó el SPF del estado por primera vez desde COVID, muchas escuelas tenían bajas tasas de participación en exámenes, y había datos limitados de crecimiento. Explicaron que dividieron las escuelas para la renovación en dos matrices. Matriz A son las escuelas “con una tasa de participación en la rendición de cuentas del 95% o superior y una participación en el crecimiento del 60% o más, tanto en matemáticas como en lengua y literatura inglés.” y la matriz B son escuelas “con una tasa de participación en la rendición de cuentas inferior al 95% o una participación en el crecimiento inferior al 60%. ”

Las escuelas que recibieron 3+ años que estuvieron en la Matriz A y B se pueden encontrar aquí. La única escuela que recibió una recomendación no renovable es STRIVE Prep-Kepner. Hubo tres escuelas que recibieron una prórroga de 1 año debido a la insuficiencia de datos estatales que incluyen Academy 360 y STRIVE Prep- SMART. El contrato con STRIVE Prep-Lake será rescindido.

Tiempo de trabajo de Gobernatura de Política

El Consejo dedicó el resto de la sesión de trabajo al desarrollo de las políticas 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 y 1.5.

Reunión extraordinaria del Consejo – 12 de enero de 2023

Celebración del Día de MLK.

Con la celebración del Día de Martin Luther King Jr. el lunes 16 de enero, la comunidad de East High School presentó el trabajo que vienen realizando desde antes de 1990 en torno a honrar la obra del Dr. King y celebrar su cumpleaños.

Informe financiero.

El presupuesto anual del DPS comienza en julio y termina en junio. El presupuesto para el próximo año fiscal suele fijarse en mayo y puede modificarse a mitad de año, en enero, según el estado del distrito. En la situación actual, el distrito se enfrenta a un déficit que aumenta cada año. El distrito gasta más de lo que genera, pero gracias a la escasez de personal y al presupuesto suplementario pueden equilibrar el presupuesto. La baja matricula continúa siendo un punto de discusión y el Superintendente hará su propio análisis para decidir qué hacer con las escuelas que están sub-matriculadas. El distrito espera ver un aumento en la matrícula o que los legisladores estatales apoyen a través de la reforma de la financiación escolar.

Renovación de estatutos.

La reunión terminó con una votación sobre el orden del día de consentimiento donde el consejo votó a favor de no renovar el contrato de estatutos de STRIVE Prep Kepner y STRIVE Prep- Lake renunció a su contrato.

Reunión del Comité Consultivo Presupuestario – 23 de enero de 2023.

El Comité revisó el presupuesto 2022-2023 y los impulsores financieros 2023-2024. Han visto aumentos en algunas áreas desde la adopción del presupuesto, incluyendo fondos adicionales pagados a través de la compensación del DCTA debido a que los educadores continúan su educación y obtienen títulos avanzados, así como el movimiento del distrito para pagar a todos los para-profesionales $20 la hora. Algunas posiciones están todavía abiertas, lo que resulta en gastar menos de lo previsto. Se prevé gastar $8 millones más de lo que originalmente proyectaban la primavera pasada y un uso de $9 millones de sus reservas.

Los miembros del Comité reciben información actualizada sobre la financiación de ESSER en cuanto a gastos y recomiendan asignaciones presupuestarias. Han gastado un poco menos de $78.1 millones, lo que representa alrededor del 35% de su asignación para ESSER II y III. También discutieron los principios presupuestarios para el año escolar 2023-2024.

Comentarios del público y sesión de monitoreo de progresos – 24 de enero de 2023.

El personal de DPS compartió una actualización relacionada con el monitoreo del progreso. El objetivo de esta sesión es compartir dónde se encuentra el distrito en cuanto a sus políticas de limitaciones y fines ejecutivos. – “¿Qué nos dicen nuestros datos o acciones del estado actual de nuestro distrito y / o el progreso?”

Finales 2 – Enseñanza y aprendizaje – Resultados de la ley READ (no resultados de CMAS):

Los datos de la cohorte muestran que de los estudiantes que leen en el nivel del grado al final del 3er grado, el 73% de esos estudiantes cumplieron con el punto de referencia PSAT para la lectura y la escritura en el 9 º grado. Mostrando la importancia de poder leer al nivel del grado al final del 3er grado.
Las metas del distrito incluyen aumentar el porcentaje de estudiantes que leen a nivel de grado en un 10% y disminuir el porcentaje de estudiantes que leen significativamente por debajo del nivel de grado en un 10%.
Los resultados de READ del otoño de 2022 incluyeron un aumento en el porcentaje de estudiantes “significativamente por debajo del nivel de grado”, lo que resultó en 2,182 estudiantes más en los Planes READ.
Las disparidades continúan para los estudiantes de color – es decir, el 66% de los estudiantes blancos están en el nivel de grado o por encima frente al 36% de los estudiantes hispanos.
La programación de Conexiones de Verano parece tener un fuerte impacto en la prevención del “deslizamiento de verano”.
El nuevo plan de estudios de alfabetización ha sido adoptado por DPS junto con la capacitación de los maestros en la ciencia de la lectura, incluida la capacitación específica para los maestros de ELA-S.

Reunión ordinaria del Consejo – 26 de enero de 2023.

Informe del Consejo: Educación Profesional y Técnica (CTE)

Enero es el mes de la Educación Profesional y Técnica (CTE) y el personal del distrito presentó una actualización sobre CTE en DPS, que se incluye como una prioridad en la hoja de ruta estratégica del distrito que dice: “Expandir la Educación Profesional y Técnica mediante el aumento de la diversidad de cursos y vías, el acceso y el éxito para asegurar que los estudiantes estén preparados para competir en el mercado laboral actual y las industrias de alta demanda”.

Los programas CTE se ofrecen en la mayoría de las escuelas secundarias administradas por el distrito de DPS, y el equipo está desarrollando más CTE Pathways en las escuelas que están alineadas con las industrias de alto crecimiento y salario en la comunidad de Denver para una distribución equitativa de la programación en todo el distrito.

El personal informó que los estudiantes a través de DPS encuentran un gran éxito en CTE y nombró la finalización de la certificación CTE como un predictor de la graduación de la preparatoria.

Vea la presentación aquí y el folleto de CTE aquí.

Informe del Superintendente: Departamento de Infancia temprana de Colorado (CDEC)

El personal del distrito presentó información sobre el nuevo Departamento de Infancia temprana de Colorado, los cambios en el proceso para que las familias inscriban a sus hijos en preescolar y cómo estos cambios afectarán a las familias en DPS.

Anteriormente, los estudiantes de preescolar participaban en preescolar a través del sistema de Elección e Inscripción de DPS. Los estudiantes preescolares calificaban para la financiación estatal a través del Programa Preescolar de Colorado (CPP) y el Programa Preescolar de Denver (DPP). Para el año escolar 2023-24, todos los estudiantes de 4 años calificarán para medio día de preescolar libre de matrícula con los proveedores participantes y las familias ahora solicitarán a CDEC y DPS para inscribirse en el proceso.

Los niños de cuatro años en Colorado son elegibles para medio día de preescolar (gratis) y aquellos con factores de calificación son elegibles para horas adicionales de preescolar gratuito. Los niños de tres años con factores de calificación son elegibles para al menos a tiempo parcial (10 horas por semana) de programación preescolar. Además, los programas de educación preescolar de DPS ahora podrán atender a 20 estudiantes por salón de clases, en lugar del límite anterior de 16.

Elección y las ventanas de ~~aplicación~~ inscripción son los siguientes:

Viernes, 13 de enero – martes, 14 de febrero a las 4:00 pm – Las familias de los estudiantes de ECE deben completar la solicitud de DPS SchoolChoice.
Martes, enero 17 – martes, febrero 15 a las 4:00 pm – Familias de estudiantes de ECE deben completar la solicitud de UPK Colorado.

Vea la presentación aquí.

Gobernatura política

El personal presentó la primera lectura de los Ends 4 Seguridad, y Ends 5, Posgraduación y ciudadanía global, y la segunda lectura de los Ends 2 Enseñanza y aprendizaje, y Ends 3 Bienestar de los estudiantes y del personal, políticas de gobernatura. La junta votó a favor de posponer indefinidamente el Ends 2.3 a la luz de una propuesta de enmienda, pero aprobó el resto de los End 2 y 3.

Agenda de Consentimiento.

El consejo aprobó la Agenda de Consentimiento que incluía las actas de reuniones anteriores, el presupuesto enmendado para 2022-23 y el Informe de Transacciones de Personal.

COMPROMETERSE CON EL CONSEJO.

¿Quiere dar a conocer al consejo su opinión sobre alguno de estos temas? Puede inscribirse para hacer comentarios públicos y hablar directamente al consejo sobre lo que le importa. Puede inscribirse aquí

Meet This Year’s Stand Advocacy Fellows

Community Engagement | 12/1/2022

Stand for Children

Stand for Children Colorado advances educational equity and racial justice in Colorado through meaningful partnerships with families, educators, schools, and policy makers. One of the ways we uphold this work is through our annual Advocacy Fellowship.

Stand for Children Colorado Advocacy Fellows are community leaders advocating for policy solutions towards racial justice and equity in education.  With the support of Stand staff, advocacy fellows will deep dive into issues affecting Colorado communities today, co-create solutions, democratize knowledge back to their communities, work to break down barriers to power and access decision makers, and, in the process, build long lasting relationships and invaluable skills.

We are excited to introduce this year’s Fellows!

Meet Flor

What are you most excited about in this year’s fellowship?

I am most excited about learning and gaining more tools to continue advocating for proper education for our children!

What is your favorite children’s book?

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

What do you love most about Colorado?

Diversity

Meet Yaeel

What are you most excited about in this year’s fellowship?

¿Qué es lo que más le emociona del programa de becas de este año?

Lo que mas me emociona de formar parte de stand Es el fellowship con mis compañeras quienes son personas bastante comprometidas, tienen una pasion por tracender lo habitual y van la milla extra eso para mi Es pasion por lo que hacen.

What excites me the most about being part of Stand is the fellowship with my colleagues who are very committed people, they have a passion for transcending the usual and go the extra mile, that for me is to have passion for what they do.

What is your favorite children’s book?

¿Cuál es su libro infantil favorito?

Mi libro infantil favorito se llama: La Abeja Haragana de Horacio Quiroja

My favorite children’s book is called: La Abeja Haragana by Horacio Quiroja.

What do you love most about Colorado?

¿Qué es lo que más le gusta de Colorado?

Lo que mas me gusta de Colorado Es su Naturaleza definitivamente.

What I like most about Colorado is definitely its nature.

Meet Lorelei

What are you most excited about in this year’s fellowship?

I am excited to continue this fellowship because Stand is dedicated to change making for our students and communities. I am looking forward to making change through careful research, thoughtful advocacy, and strong partnerships in a state policy context. I loved working with families and the Stand for Children advocates in the past and am happy to continue that work.

What is your favorite children’s book?

I don’t have a favorite children’s book, but I did enjoy reading the Hungry Hungry Caterpillar to my nieces and nephews. My favorite book, however, is Mountains Beyond Mountains.

What do you love most about Colorado?

I love living in Colorado for the combination of city life and outdoor activities. I can go hiking or camping on the same weekend as exploring and experiencing nightlife in the city.

Meet Theresa

What are you most excited about in this year’s fellowship?

I am excited to collaborate with STAND fellows to advance educational initiatives that support all students and educators in Colorado by way of reviewing and/or testifying before legislative committees.

What is your favorite children’s book?

“Amazing Grace” by Mary Hoffmann.

What do you love most about Colorado?

I love Colorado in the Fall with its color foliage, mountain views and beautiful weather.

Meet Tina

What are you most excited about in this year’s fellowship?

I am excited to learn, grow and implement change with my peers.

What is your favorite children’s book?

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

What do you love most about Colorado?

I love the outdoors and the ability to travel within the state and always find a newfound destination.

Meet Jesse

What are you most excited about in this year’s fellowship?

I am excited to learn more about the legislative process and the bills we are supporting.

What is your favorite children’s book?

Anything by David Wiesner or Graeme Base. I love their illustrations and unique stories

What do you love most about Colorado?

I love that there is so much you can do for free. We have so much open space for parks, splash pads, visit the mountains or go hiking.

Meet Pamela

What are you most excited about in this year’s fellowship?

I’m most excited about working with the dedicated team of people to make our schools and state more equitable.

What is your favorite children’s book?

Favorite children’s book is the Jolly Postman

What do you love most about Colorado?

What I love most about Colorado is the peace I find when I’m in the mountains.

Meet Maybelline

What are you most excited about in this year’s fellowship?

¿Qué es lo que más le emociona del programa de becas de este año?

Aprender sobre los proyectos de los cuales tiene en el programa y saber un poco más de la política y saber sobre los legisladores sobre todo saber cómo ayudar a mis hijos en sus tareas.

Learn about the projects that the program contains and learn a little more about politics and know about the legislators, about everything, especially how to help my children with their homework.

What is your favorite children’s book?

¿Cuál es su libro infantil favorito?

Me gusta mucho los libros de animales creo que aprendemos sobre la naturaleza de ellos.

I really like animal books, I think we learn about nature through them.

What do you love most about Colorado?

¿Qué es lo que más le gusta de Colorado?

Las montañas y sobre todo el clima en el invierno.

The mountains and, in particular, the weather in winter.

Meet Lauren

What are you most excited about in this year’s fellowship?

I am excited about the opportunity to connect with other change agents willing to take the risks necessary to disrupt the status quo and build a more equitable future for all students.

What is your favorite children’s book?

Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall.

What do you love most about Colorado?

My favorite thing about Colorado is experiencing the beauty of our four distinct seasons.

Meet Flor, Stand Advocacy Fellow

Community Engagement | 11/29/2022

Stand for Children

We are excited to introduce this year’s Fellows!

Meet Flor

What are you most excited about in this year’s fellowship?

I am most excited about learning and gaining more tools to continue advocating for proper education for our children!

What is your favorite children’s book?

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

What do you love most about Colorado?

Diversity