"Kids Count in Colorado!" is an annual publication of the Colorado Children's Campaign, which provides the best available state- and county-level data to measure and track the education, health and general well-being of the state's children. "Kids Count in Colorado!" informs policy debates and community discussions, serving as…

"Moving the Needle on Poverty" is designed to provide Colorado leaders with an up-to-date picture of the diverse strategies that states across the nation are pursuing to lift individuals, families, and communities out of poverty. As the report indicates, many states are choosing to set specific and measurable goals for poverty reduction,…

A STUDY WAS MADE ON THE QUESTION OF SELLING OR RETAINING, UNDER LEASE, PUBLIC SCHOOL LANDS TO DERIVE THE MAXIMUM, LONG-TERM REVENUE YIELD TO THE COLORADO PUBLIC SCHOOL FUND. FINDINGS SUPPORTED THOSE OF THE 1960 STATE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH CONCLUDED THAT RETENTION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL LANDS WAS WISER THAN SALE OF THE LANDS. IN ADDITION, FINDINGS…

Colorado's College Opportunity Fund is an educational program that affords public universities greater administrative freedom while diminishing financial support from the state. Under the new system, students receive stipends from government while universities are allowed greater freedom setting tuition and issuing bonds. This article discusses…

In this article, the author describes how the "weighted student" funding, under which money is divvied up based on the actual number and kinds of students at each school, gains favor among education leaders. With weighted-student funding, a district divides up money--rather than staff positions and programs--among schools. Proponents…

Reviews major trends in state legislation affecting education in 1975, with particular emphasis on a number of states that either substantially increased state support for education (such as Texas), or initiated major new educational programs (such as Colorado), despite the financial pressures of inflation and recession. (JG)

Examines Colorado's Second Chance Pilot Program for Dropouts, designed to reduce the number of dropouts through Second Chance Centers giving students the opportunity to complete requirements for a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. Although limited in success, the program provides a model for the funding of alternative schools. (SLD)

In November 1972, electorates in California, Colorado, Michigan, and Oregon decisively rejected consitutional amendments that (according to their supporters) would have reduced or eliminated reliance on the property tax as a means of financing education. School finance reformers were perplexed by these defeats. This study sets out to explain the…

This study identified policies to increase states' role in teacher professional development in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. It examined which elements defined each state's professional development policy and the extent to which policies were consistent with research on effective professional…

Experience in 12 Colorado school districts suggests that implementation of a four-day school week can offer several benefits, including savings in fuel costs, decreased absenteeism, improved efficiency in activity-oriented classes, increased staff development time, and a flexible "fifth day" for extracurricular activities. (PGD)

The Commission initiated a funding to review national funding models for higher education led by the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS). Each institution contributed to the cost of the study and participated in the effort. NCHEMS' key recommendation is to move the funding discussions for higher education away from a…

This bulletin presents the report of an inquiry into the administration and support of the Colorado school system. It begins with a discussion of the state of Colorado and its educational system. Next, it presents a summary of the following recommendations: (1) recommendations relating to general administration; (2) recommendations concerning…

In September 2007 the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado State Board of Education jointly announced the launch of "Forward Thinking", an ambitious plan "to create a purpose-driven and dynamic system of educational leadership, service and support that relentlessly focuses on the learning of all students." The…

The extent to which state agencies are implementing information systems and analytical methods for budget review are examined. Focus is on 17 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Trends in budget…

Recent policy changes at the state and federal levels have made schools the focus of accountability. However, under current district budgeting practices, it is difficult to assess how resources are distributed between schools and whether every school is afforded the same opportunity to meet its educational goals. This paper addresses one key…