Latest news with #ColoradoEducationAssociation
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
More Democrats join the race for Colorado's 8th congressional district
DENVER (KDVR) — The list of candidates for Colorado's most competitive congressional district continues to grow. Two new candidates joined the field of Democrats running for the seat this week. The State Treasurer and the past president of the state's largest teachers' union joined the race this week. Both saying it is time for a new representation in the district. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The Immediate Past President of the state's largest teachers' union and the current State Treasurer are joining the field of Democrats looking to take on incumbent Congressman Gabe Evans. The Republican beat Democratic incumbent Yadira Caraveo last fall by a margin of around two thousand votes. 'Today, I'm announcing that I'm running for Congress in Congressional District 8 here in Colorado,' said Amie Baca-Oehlert, the former President of the Colorado Education Association. 'You know if I had to give Gabe Evans a grade, I would give him an 'F' because I don't see Gabe Evans standing up for the constituents in CD8 or in Colorado. Gabe Evans is standing side-by-side, pushing the Trump agenda ahead, not listening to the needs of Coloradans.' 'As a lifelong Coloradan, I love this state, I love Congressional District 8, the new congressional district, and I'm excited to represent them,' said State Treasurer Dave Young. 'Well, you know I'm a teacher and at this point, I'm giving him an 'F' because he is taking some really devastating votes that are going to hurt people in Congressional District 8. And I just don't think he really understands the full implications of the vote that he is taking and the work on this budget bill.' Baca-Oehlert and Young join state Representatives Manny Rutinel and Shannon Bird in the race; both candidates are off to the races with fundraising, as Rutinel is raising more than a million dollars in the first quarter of this year and Bird is raising $300,000 in the first two weeks since announcing her candidacy. Former Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo is also in the race again too. Both of the new candidates supported her initial bids. 'I think it's time for change. You know there were some great things that happened during that first term, but we're in a different place now. Congress looks different, the presidency looks different, and I think we're in a spot where we need somebody like me. Certainly, as the president of the largest labor union in this state, I know a little something about standing up to people in power, and I'm ready to take that to Congress,' said Baca-Oehlert. 'Gabe Evans is going right along with the Trump administration and giving up congressional power and caving in on budget decisions that are going to be devastating for people across the country but particularly people in his district, right, in my district right now. And I can't stand by for that. I've got to take action and unfortunately, Representative Caraveo was unsuccessful in her bid last time. And I'm not willing to gamble when I know I'm the person who can win this race,' said Treasurer Young. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) called both candidates out of touch, saying in a statement: Two's company, three's a crowd, and five is a clown car of messy, expensive Democrat primary, which is exactly what we now have in Colorado's 8th Congressional District. Amie Baca-Oehlert is the latest out-of-touch Democrat to join the race to the left primary to determine who will be rejected by voters in Colorado next year.' NRCC Spokesman Zach Bannon Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
These bills on education passed the Colorado Legislature in 2025
Thousands attended a rally the Colorado Education Association organized in support of fully funding public schools on March 20, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) The Colorado Legislature passed dozens of bills making changes to K-12 education in the state this year. Some bills add new requirements for school districts and their policies while others relate to curriculum requirements for students. Lawmakers also approved a new school finance policy that extends the implementation of a new school finance formula approved last year amid budget shortfalls. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has signed a few education measures from the legislative session into law already while several others await his signature. The 2025 session ended last week. Here are some other bills that came from the Legislature's work on education. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX House Bill 25-1192 requires that school districts implement a financial literacy course as a graduation requirement for high school students. Public high school students would need to pass a financial literacy class in their junior or senior year under the requirements of the bill. Colorado law currently encourages school districts to require financial literacy coursework for graduation, and about one-quarter of districts do so, according to the Colorado Department of Education. The bipartisan measure would apply starting with students who are in the ninth grade starting in September 2026. The class would need to cover the standards adopted by the State Board of Education in 2022, which include topics like household budgeting, saving, investing, using credit, and understanding the difference between leasing and buying large purchases like cars and homes. The bill would also make completion of the federal or state financial aid form a condition for graduation. Students and parents would be able to opt out of that requirement. Polis has not yet taken action on the bill. House BIll 25-1149 directs the Colorado Department of Education to establish a 17-member advisory committee to help develop statewide K-12 curriculum on Black history and cultural studies. The curriculum should represent 'Black historical experiences through truthful, inclusive, complex narratives that connect with contemporary realities' and highlight 'innovations and cultural contributions of Black people in Colorado, America, and the world,' the bill says. Implementing a standardized Black history curriculum in our public schools ensures that students of all races and backgrounds receive a more complete education that prepares them to be informed, engaged citizens and honors the extensive contributions of Black Americans in shaping our state and nation. – Sen. Tony Exum The Trump administration has targeted DEI — diversity, equity and inclusion — initiatives particularly in educational institutions. 'Implementing a standardized Black history curriculum in our public schools ensures that students of all races and backgrounds receive a more complete education that prepares them to be informed, engaged citizens and honors the extensive contributions of Black Americans in shaping our state and nation,' Sen. Tony Exum, a Colorado Springs Democrat who sponsored the bill, said in a statement celebrating its passage. The advisory committee will include experts on Black history and culture, teachers from rural and urban school districts, a librarian, curriculum specialists, community leaders, a parent in a public school parent organization and members of the Colorado Legislature, among others. The timeline for implementing the new standards aligns with the six-year cycle the State Board of Education already uses for revising academic standards. Education providers will have two years to implement the standards after they are developed. Polis has not yet taken action on the bill. House Bill 25-1135 requires school districts to adopt policies on the use of cell phones and other communication devices during the school day. The bipartisan bill does not impose a ban on student cell phone use but intends to reduce classroom distractions and requires all Colorado schools, including charter schools, to adopt their own policies by July 2026. 'Many teachers already work hard to limit phone use in class, but they need backup,' Sen. Janice Marchman, a Loveland Democrat who sponsored the bill, said in a statement. 'This new law gives local schools the support to set clear, consistent policies — so students can focus, learn, and take a real break from the pressures of constant connectivity.' The policies must also consider accommodations for students who need access to a phone for medical reasons. A 2023 advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General warns that social media use among young people is associated with poor mental health, especially among adolescent girls. Research also shows that cell phone use during instruction time has adverse effects on student learning. Polis signed the bill into law at the start of May. Senate Bill 25-63, dubbed the Freedom to Read Act, requires school districts to create policies about the 'acquisition, retention, display, reconsideration, and use' of library books and other materials by September. The measure intends to safeguard public school libraries from the growing trend that targets certain books, often about diverse topics or by diverse authors, for removal. 'This legislation creates a standard process to evaluate a book's inclusion or removal from a library, further shielding our public school libraries from D.C. culture wars and political fights,' Rep. Jenny Willford, a Northglenn Democrat who sponsored the bill, said in a statement. 'Schools are for learning, and our students deserve access to age-appropriate books that encourage them to think broadly and critically about the world.' District policies will need to consider when and why library materials can be removed, and outline a process for challenging and removing books from circulation. Only parents of students in the school district will be allowed to challenge books, and reviews of individual books will be limited to once every two years. In 2024, there were seven attempts to ban 137 books in public schools and libraries in Colorado, according to the American Library Association. The most challenged book in the country that year was 'All Boys Aren't Blue,' a memoir written for young adults by queer Black author George Johnson. Polis signed the bill into law at the start of May. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands of teachers rally over education funding at Colorado Capitol
DENVER (KDVR) — Teachers from across Colorado packed out the state Capitol Thursday for the Statewide Day of Action rally coordinated by the Colorado Education Association. They came out to tell lawmakers not to touch school funding. Educators made it clear that they wanted to make a statement; coming to the Capitol to rally in droves. After speaking to lawmakers, it appears their protest may have worked. Colorado politicians react to President Trump's order dismantling Education Department 'Public school is our right. That is why we have to fight,' the teachers cried on the west lawn of the Colorado State Capitol. 'Governor Polis is going to cut $150 million to our education funding which is already in deficit and that's a problem. Then we are being threatened with cutting the Department of Ed, which supports our sped students and Title I schools which is also really important for everyone. So all these threats, are not good for our community, our students and our staff. So that's why I made this sign,' said Megan Baker, a teacher in Adams County. The cut Baker is talking about is the governor's average student count proposal. Right now, the state goes off of a four- to five-year average student count per district. In light of declining enrollment, the governor has proposed using only one year's enrollment at a time; he said Colorado is the only state that does funding this way. Lawmakers working on the budget quickly threw water on that suggestion Thursday just before the rally kicked off. 'The elimination of averaging is off the table. That was an idea that came from the governor and it is an idea that has been pretty roundly rejected here on the second floor,' Joint Budget Committee Chair Jeff Bridges said from the Senate floor. 'We have, as a budget committee, voted to set aside an additional $150 million of general fund for K-12 public education this year. That's a vote we've already made and that is the dollar amount we would set aside regardless of whatever formula it is the education bill that is forthcoming would move forward with. So, we have set aside the general fund commitment, anything else is a conversation about the state ed fund. There will, 100% guaranteed be an increase in per-pupil funding this year. So just so everyone knows we are having these conversations. That is the baseline we are starting from, welcome to your capitol.' Bridges' words were welcome news for Colorado Education Association President Kevin Vick. Judge rules Elizabeth schools cannot remove library books for expressed views 'I think it shows that our efforts to this point have been effective and we just have to keep the gas on to make sure the legislature holds to that promise. From our minds, we don't feel like we can let up. It's a lot of session left and we gotta make sure the legislature is sticking to that,' Vick said. Speaking with FOX31 this afternoon, the governor seemingly walked back that unpopular concept surrounding the student count. 'I think what he was referring to was my particular proposal which I don't think anybody ever thought that what I proposed would be adopted without any changes. If you look at how we are increasing funding for schools, a big part of that is that we are making sure we are not going to be funding students who are not there,' Polis said. 'I would veto any budget that cut education funding. I would never sign a budget that did. This is a very tough budget year, we put education first so we have increases both in the total amount spent on education and just as importantly $350 per student increase which means better teacher pay; better, smaller class sizes.' While the governor looks to ensure there will not be any education cuts as lawmakers negotiate a tight this budget year. The governor did tell FOX31 other areas like healthcare are being looked at. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands of Colorado educators and students rally to demand full public school funding
Attendees at a rally the Colorado Education Association organized in support of fully funding public schools chant "fund our schools" at Colorado legislators watching the rally from the Colorado Capitol balcony on March 20, 2025, at the Capitol in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Thousands of teachers, school employees, parents and students filled the west steps of the Colorado Capitol Thursday urging Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and state lawmakers to preserve funding for public schools. The Colorado Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, organized a day of action that brought educators from around the state to Denver. Many public schools, including some in Denver, Aurora, Boulder, Adams 12, and Summit County, closed Thursday because so many staff members called out to attend the rally. Attendees dressed in red as part of the 'Red for Ed' pro-teacher pay movement, holding signs that read 'no more cuts,' 'Our kids deserve more,' and 'WTF: Where's the funding?' Chants at the rally included 'Whose Schools? Our Schools!' and 'Schools need funding, schools need books, schools need money that TABOR took!' TABOR, or the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, is a state constitutional amendment that limits how much money the state can collect and spend. Democratic legislators, who control a majority in both chambers of the Legislature, walked onto the Capitol's balcony to wave at protesters and support the rally. Attendees turned to chant 'fund our schools' at the lawmakers. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX CEA had 2,000 people register to attend the rally, though spokesperson Bethany Morris estimated closer to 3,000 people showed up. Isabel Rodriguez, a high school teacher in Summit County who has run her own nonprofit and served on the local school board, said she became a teacher because she grew up in Denver being taught by teachers who didn't look or sound like her. She said she works to 'break the cycle of poverty' and build wealth to set her kids up for success, but 'the state of Colorado makes one thing clear: education is not going to be the path there.' 'What I hear is that my career is not as valuable, not as worthy of the respect and support that it needs,' Rodriguez said at the rally. 'As a first-generation Latina with a higher education, I know that I will continue to be an outlier. Because what your decisions communicate is that if you have the opportunity to get a higher education, your best bet is to not go into education.' The demonstration comes as lawmakers try to plug a $1.2 billion hole in the state's budget, which is set for introduction and debate in the coming weeks. There are several reasons for that budget gap, including a state revenue cap set by TABOR, ballooning Medicaid costs and slowing economic growth. Longtime education financial woes seemed to be on their way out last year, when the Legislature approved a new school funding formula that could allocate $500 million more over six years and passed a budget that fully funded public education according to constitutional requirements for the first time in over a decade. Colorado House Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, a Denver Democrat, left, and state Rep. Katie Stewart, a Durango Democrat, cheer on a rally the Colorado Education Association organized in support of fully funding public schools on March 20, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) A band played and led cheers a rally the Colorado Education Association organized in support of fully funding public schools on March 20, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Thousands attended a rally the Colorado Education Association organized in support of fully funding public schools on March 20, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Colorado legislators cheer on a rally the Colorado Education Association organized in support of fully funding public schools on March 20, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Attendees at a rally the Colorado Education Association organized in support of fully funding public schools chant "fund our schools" at Colorado legislators watching the rally from the Colorado Capitol balcony on March 20, 2025, at the Capitol in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Thousands attended a rally the Colorado Education Association organized in support of fully funding public schools on March 20, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Colorado Education Association Vice President Liz Waddick speaks at a rally the CEA organized in support of fully funding public schools on March 20, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Thousands attended a rally the Colorado Education Association organized in support of fully funding public schools on March 20, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Thousands attended a rally the Colorado Education Association organized in support of fully funding public schools on March 20, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Thousands attended a rally the Colorado Education Association organized in support of fully funding public schools on March 20, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Thousands attended a rally the Colorado Education Association organized in support of fully funding public schools on March 20, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Delaney Jarmon, an Aurora Public Schools special education teacher, holds a "budget cuts never heal" sign while chanting at a rally the Colorado Education Association organized in support of fully funding public schools on March 20, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) But now districts could get less money than promised — though still an increase over last year — in order to balance the budget. Polis, a Democrat, has floated a cost-saving measure that would change how the state calculates enrollment for per-pupil funding. Instead of using a four-year average, his plan would rely on a single year's enrollment numbers, meaning that districts with declining enrollment would get less money. His office says the plan would support students where they actually are, and that four-year averaging only delays eventual budget consequences of declining enrollment. A statement his office released ahead of the rally said 'representations that the Governor is proposing a cut are just inaccurate.' A switch to a single-year count would mean about $150 million less than expected for schools. Polis' plan would still mean an overall increase in funding of about $388 per student. A counter proposal, backed by House Speaker Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat, would leave the four-year enrollment calculation in place but reduce how much of the new funding formula would go into effect this year — 10% versus the promised 18%. That would slow funding increases. CEA President Kevin Vick said the demonstration's turnout shows the education community is united in demanding that the state does not further cut education funding. 'Colorado's students deserve fully funded schools, not budget cuts that undercut their future,' Vick said in a statement. 'It's time for our state to prioritize public education and invest in the resources our students need to succeed.' Delaney Jarmon, a special education teacher at Aurora Public Schools in her third year teaching, came to the rally with a handmade sign that read 'Budget cuts never heal.' She said her school is already low on funding and support, and further cuts would only harm students. 'I came out here because not only do we need funding for our school, we need individualized attention for our students,' Jarmon said. 'And if we don't have enough teachers to have that individualized attention, it's harder for our kids to learn.' Jarmon said if the state cut funding from schools once before, 'who's to say it won't happen again.' At her school, she has 15 children with autism in one classroom, which she said 'is really hard.' She wanted to be a voice for her students who couldn't use their own voices. Willow Mason, a school psychologist at a Denver high school who has worked in Colorado schools for seven years, said she's seen 'a sense of frustration' build up, especially this year. Given the uncertainty of support for education from the federal government, 'more than ever we need our state government to be helping us out with education,' Mason said. She brought her two kids to the rally. They are both enrolled in public schools, and she said they appreciate programs like arts and sports, 'all those things that take money.' Newsline reporter Sara Wilson contributed to this report. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
CBS News
19-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Aurora announces closure of all schools Thursday due to protest against education cuts
Many schools in the Denver Metro Area have announced closures Thursday due to staff attending a "No More Education Cuts" statewide Day of Action at the Capitol. In an update Wednesday, Aurora Public Schools announced that all APS schools will be closed on March 20. In a release, APS said, "The Colorado Education Association is hosting its "No More Education Cuts" statewide Day of Action" tomorrow, Thursday, March 20 for educators to advocate for public education funding. Aurora Public Schools has also actively been advocating for fully funded education. While our primary goal is always to keep our schools open, due to a large number of staff members who have reported absences, we will unfortunately need to close schools tomorrow." School officials said the ongoing public education funding crisis will significantly impact APS and districts across Colorado. They expressed concern over potential cuts to public education which would lead to reduced staffing, cutting programs, and having fewer resources to support the students. "We stand firmly in the fight for fully funded schools because our students, staff and community deserve nothing less. We will continue advocating at the legislative level," said district officials. Thursday will be a non-student contact day, meaning it will be a regular workday for all APS staff members who have not submitted absences. The district apologized to families that may be impacted by the closures and said regular classes will resume on Friday, March 21.
