Let’s help Colorado’s children catch up

By Papa Dia, Senator Rhonda Fields and Senator Bob Gardner | March 12, 2021

"For a generation of educators and policy makers in Colorado, the wide gap in educational outcomes and enrichment opportunities between the rich and poor, suburban and rural communities, urban and gentrified neighborhoods has been a cause of great frustration and grave worry. It is unacceptable, yet it remains.

"Too many of our children are falling behind, and COVID has made it worse. The problem is clear: Colorado schoolchildren have fallen behind in reading, math, science and writing — particularly students of color or those from low-income families. On the most recent national tests, only about 40% of Colorado’s fourth-graders were proficient in reading, with only 22% of low-income students scoring proficient or higher.

"We aren’t just picking on fourth-graders. When you look at Colorado students in grades three through eight, more than half fail to meet grade-level expectations in reading, writing or math on state tests. The one constant? Glaring disparities based on income, race and geography. Those factors cannot be allowed to dictate success any longer.

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"That’s why we have signed on as early supporters of a proposed ballot initiative that would provide funding for families to choose from a menu of approved out-of-school learning providers, including tutoring in reading, math, science, and writing, extra services for special needs students, and career and technical education-training programs.

"This fall, Coloradans can do something about it. They can close the achievement and enrichment gap by supporting a ballot initiative that will work alongside K-12. The Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress (LEAP) Program would be funded by a 5% sales tax increase on recreational marijuana and revenue from agricultural, mineral, and renewable energy development on state land. This measure has been carefully crafted by experts from across the state to address the most pressing needs our students face. If passed, it will provide equity and flexibility for Colorado’s K-12 students so they can sharpen their skills and add new ones. The program would provide up $1,500 in annual per-child funding for out-of-school instruction, which is a game-changer. That money could be used for a variety of opportunities, including tutoring for reading, math, and science, as well as support for students with special needs and enrichment activities."

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