'Revolutionary' education overhaul in works
By Berny Morson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published March 18, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.
A proposal described by Gov. Bill Ritter as a "revolutionary" overhaul of the state's education system could be introduced in the Senate today.
The bill - some details were still being worked out Monday afternoon - calls for revision of the public school curriculum to help students meet a new definition of readiness for college or the workplace. Statewide achievement tests would be revised to reflect the new curriculum.
The "big vision of the bill" is to coordinate public school and higher education programs, said Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, who is sponsoring the bill with Sen. Josh Penry, R-Fruita.
Committee hearings, where the bill will be discussed in detail, will begin in the next week or two, Romer said.
Some members of the state Board of Education voiced concerns about the bill during a meeting Monday with Ritter's education adviser. The board would play a major role if the measure passes.
No board members flatly opposed the bill. But they questioned the need for a new panel to draft the definition of college or workplace readiness. Several state panels already are studying education.
morsonb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303 954-5209
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