Colorado STEM Network Partners

• THE CENTER FOR EDUCATION POLICY ANALYSIS (CEPA), Paul Teske, PhD. Executive Director
The Center for Education Policy Analysis at the School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado Denver and Health Sciences has an ambitious research agenda that includes evaluation of national and local innovations in education, evaluation of educational outcomes and of parent satisfaction, and other policy research. Through "Metro Denver WIRED," a federally funded economic development program with a strong emphasis on P-20 education as a driver of economic well-being, CEPA is working to develop stronger and better pipelines from education into the workforce. CEPA is part of the service and community outreach effort at the Graduate School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center. Its mission is to provide applied research and program evaluation, strategic planning, and facilitation that enhances the capacity of local and national education communities to make informed decisions and solve problems, especially to ensure the most efficacious use of public resources and improve access and outcomes for disadvantaged populations. CEPA focuses on preK-12 policy issues, (governance, finance, leadership, management, standards development, school readiness, parent involvement, school choice, competition and parent information issues) and higher education systems integration issues. CEPA staff employ their diverse educational and professional backgrounds when working with communities and organizations to provide applied research and program evaluation, and, planning and problem solving assistance. Since 2004, CEPA has been funded by national organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as part of the University of Washington’s Center for Reinventing Public Education’s “Doing Choice Right” project. CEPA is at the forefront of much of the major research and strategic planning around education in Colorado.

SPA offers graduate degrees on two CU campuses, to a rural Colorado audience on the Western Slope, and via Internet to a global student body. Fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration, SPA is a nationally ranked school whose Master of Public Administration program is rated in the top 15% by US News and World Reports. The University owns without encumbrance the facilities (office space, meeting rooms, and computers) that will be donated for use by the proposed project when project meetings take place on campus.

• COLORADO CHILDREN’S CAMPAIGN, Megan Ferland, Executive Director Founded in 1985, the Colorado Children’s Campaign is the leading voice for children in Colorado. Working primarily in the areas of early childhood education, K-12 education, and child health, the Campaign provides solid data, analysis, and advocacy to influence policy makers to make decisions benefiting the over 1 million children who live in Colorado. The Campaign brings substantial advocacy and public relations expertise to its work.

• COLLEGE IN COLORADO (CiC), Dawn Taylor Owens, Executive Director The State of Colorado initiated College In Colorado in 2005 as a statewide effort to improve college access and change expectations about college for all Colorado students, particularly low-income and minority students. The cornerstone of the campaign, www.CollegeInColorado.org , offers a one-stop resource to help students, parents and counselors plan, apply and pay for college. CiC reaches out to students, parents and educators through ongoing events and training opportunities, as well as providing practical tools to assist every student in Colorado in furthering their education past high school. Free services include