P-20 Council (See http://www.colorado.gov/governor Click on Governor's Initiatives) State of the State (See below) Councils and Boards Legislation From the State of the State Speech: VIII. P-20 Education
One year ago, I told you I wasn’t big on litmus tests, but that we should gauge all of our actions and decisions against one question: Is it good for Colorado’s children, for Colorado’s future?
Education is the cornerstone of our economy and it dictates how we will move Colorado forward in the 21st century. So much of what I’ve just talked about comes back to education. If ever there was a place to be bold and ambitious, to push hard and fast against the status quo, this is it.
To keep Colorado great, today’s students – and tomorrow’s leaders – will have to meet global challenges around energy, transportation and technology. For that to happen, we have to think bigger about revitalizing our education systems than ever before, or the world will pass us by.
Speaker Romanoff, President Groff and Treasurer Kennedy have confidently pushed against the status quo with their Building Excellent Schools Today, or “BEST,” capital funding plan. I congratulate them for making safe and modern schools a priority. Last year, I set a 10-year goal of cutting the dropout rate and achievement gap in half, and doubling the number of college degrees and certificates. This year, we have specific proposals to help achieve those goals, thanks in large part to the P-20 Education Council co-chaired by Lt. Gov. O’Brien, business leader Bruce Benson and CSU-Pueblo President Joe Garcia. Mr. Benson and Mr. Garcia are also here with us today.
These proposals include eliminating the current wait-list for the Colorado Preschool Program and extending full-day kindergarten to 22,000 more children statewide. I also am proposing the creation of a Colorado Counselor Corps, which will send 70 counselors into targeted middle and high schools with a specific mission: make the dream of college a reality for more kids. We’re able to do these things because last year we listened and finally gave voice to voters in 98 percent of our school districts who repeatedly said, “Invest local revenues in local schools. Make smarter investments with our limited resources.” After just a few months of work, the P-20 Council shows us very clearly that Colorado does not lack talent. Rather, we lack an overarching educational vision, a vision that aligns standards from pre-school to college and puts an emphasis on proficiency and learning.
Many people are working hard to change that, including our partners at the Department of Education and the Department of Higher Education. Therefore, today, I am announcing the “Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids,” and it will be co-sponsored by Senators Romer and Penry and Representatives Witwer and Scanlan.
This will be the most revolutionary shift in education policy this state has seen in years. For too long, our education systems and policies have been focused on “seat time” and course titles, assuming that measuring the number of years in a particular class is somehow more important than measuring whether students actually learned anything. But when nearly one-third of college freshmen in Colorado require remedial training, something is wrong.
Therefore, I am proposing that we put our education emphasis where it belongs: on helping kids learn, on measuring knowledge and skills, on connecting what is taught in high school with exactly what is expected in college.
I am proposing that we establish policies that assume all students have the potential to succeed in college, and that we prepare them accordingly. I am proposing a seamless system of expectations, policies and tools that thread their way from pre-school to college. We must ensure that every classroom in Colorado is providing a rigorous and relevant education, and that students are learning skills that effectively prepare them for success in the 21st century.
Imagine a day when all curriculums are better designed to prepare students for college and good-paying jobs. When admission to college is based not just on a transcript, but also on the demonstration of skills. When cross-system policies and content standards are transparent and coordinated so that educators understand how to help students succeed.
Where will this lead? To dramatically expanded opportunities for post-secondary education and training. To dramatically expanded opportunities for better jobs and better pay. To a stronger economy, to stronger communities and to stronger families everywhere in Colorado.
The P-20 Council, the Department of Education and the Department of Higher Education, local stakeholders and lawmakers are beginning to work hard on this. As this moves forward, let there be no doubt that this is a bold and ambitious path to a revitalized education system. It will be meaningful reform now, and it will lay a solid foundation for the work we must continue to do in the future.



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