Education

Colorado spends $1,397 less per pupil than the national average.

A great education requires adequate funding from preschool through post-graduate degrees - and everything in between.

40th in Education - We Need to Do Better

Colorado’s students and economy will continue to suffer if we do not invest in every level of education. State funding means jobs for teachers, reduced class sizes, and diverse classes that will prepare our youth for college and a highly-competitive economy.

In 2007, Colorado was only 40th in the nation in terms of per-pupil funding for students in grades K through 12. With devastating cuts in 2010, one can only imagine where Colorado falls today.

The Choice Should Be Yours

There is hardly a more important issue when it comes to state government. And hardly a more important area where we, as voters, need to be heard.

Yet, at the end of the 2010 session, Colorado lawmakers voted against letting the voters decide.

“Decide: Education Cuts or Invest in our Democracy and Economy” was a proposal put forward to fund education as a referred measure for the November 2010 ballot. It would have given the legislature options to balance the budget other than deep cuts to education or reversing small business tax exemptions.

Conservatives in the state house kept it off the ballot. They thought that they, not you, should be able to decide about the future of our kids. That's just wrong.

Below is some of what teachers, parents, and citizens in Douglas County are saying about our current education policy:

"With all families dealing with the economic conditions, job layoffs and the rising cost of living, substantial fee increases for public education are going to put added stress on students and families. . . . . Class sizes are already getting too large for teachers to teach effectively."
- S.M., Highlands Ranch

- Source: 2010 Great Futures Map/Petition to Legislature

"I have lost my job as a reading support teacher due to budget cuts. We have also lost a very talented technology teacher and her position."
- M.S., Highlands Ranch

Source: 2010 Great Futures Map/Petition to Legislature

“We are looking at losing 200-300 teaching positions for next year. Class sizes are going to go up, my kindergartner may move into a 1st grade class of 34 kids with no Para help. Graduation requirements have been lowered, along with choices of classes at the high school level. Administration is being cut to the bone and the central office is completely wiped-out."
- C.S., Parker

Source: 2010 Great Futures Map/Petition to Legislature

I would have voted YES. I would have let the voters decide.

- Katie Facchinello