Education issues

Early childhood | K-12 & literacy | Higher ed | Achievement Gap | Education Pipeline

P-16 & P-20 | CSAP testing | 65 Percent Solution | Undocumented immigrants | No College For You

P-16 and P-20 proposals

P-20 Education Coordinating Council home page

Press release - P-20 Education Council takes important steps toward reform, Nov. 27, 2007

Today, Gov. Ritter’s P-20 Education Council took important steps toward fulfilling the “Colorado Promise” by endorsing 15 reforms for preschool through 12th-grade education. These reforms could start being implemented through legislative or executive action in 2008.
“These recommended reforms are a needed step forward. For example, the P-20 Council wants to fully fund the Colorado Preschool and Kindergarten Program. Right now, it serves only about two-thirds of the kids we know are eligible,” said Frank Waterous, senior policy analyst for the Bell Policy Center.
“If this reform is approved, it would eliminate the waiting list for the program. This year, there are 8,205 4-year-olds on the waiting list. Quality preschool sets children up for success in school, and it’s an advantage all our children ought to have,” Waterous said.

News - Gov. Ritter names members of the P-20 Education Coordinating Council, June 12, 2007. Visit the Bell's P-20 web page

News - Gov. Ritter issues executive order establishing a P-20 Council, April 25, 2007
The new council is to be appointed by the governor, and is asked to make recommendations on "potential legislation, policies, and programs that will make progress toward the implementation of goals found in the Colorado Promise," the governor's campaign platform.
Read the proclamation on the governor's web site.

Opportunity Note - SB 07-148 - Concerning simultaneous enrollment in secondary and post-secondary institutions, Feb. 15, 2007

Revised Opportunity Note - SB 07-148 - Reflects amended version of the bill, March 8, 2007

Opportunity Note - SB 07-053 - Concerning an integrated, seamless public education system ranging from pre-kindergarten through higher education, and, in connection therewith, creating a legislative oversight committee and special council, Feb. 14, 2007

Opportunity Note - HB 07-1098 - Concerning the creation of the Colorado Postsecondary Transitions Program, Feb. 1, 2007

Opportunity Note - SB 06-046, Concerning the study or a P-16 education system and creating a legislative oversight committee and special council, March 2, 2006

Testimony - P-16 education system, Frank Waterous, presented to the Senate Education Committee, Feb. 1, 2006
"We believe that this “P-16” approach holds the promise of helping the state close its achievement gaps and prepare more students to go to and succeed in college. Among the strengths of a P-16 system are the potential to align efforts at all educational levels, support standards and assessments, reduce the need for remediation, and lower dropout rates."