Simpler education reform bill unveiled

Board would do heavy lifting, not new panel

By Berny Morson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Colorado public schools would focus on preparing children for college or the workplace from the time they entered preschool until graduation, under a bill that Gov. Bill Ritter unveiled Wednesday.

The version of the bill that now goes to the state Senate for debate is simpler than drafts that have been circulating for weeks. It would delegate most of the tough work of crafting the reforms to the Colorado Board of Education, instead of to a new commission.

The bill would ask the board to come up with criteria for school readiness that would be applied to preschool and kindergarten children. Kids who were not ready would receive extra help.

The board and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education jointly would adopt a definition of readiness for college or the workplace. The public school curriculum would be revised to prepare students to meet the new criteria.

Statewide achievement tests would be overhauled to reflect the new curriculum.

Leaving the details to the board would avoid the roadblocks that have come up previously when lawmakers have tried to hammer out a reform program themselves, Ritter said.

"We've decided not to let the conversation break down over the (number of) years that you have a certain science or a certain discipline," he said.

The reforms would take effect in 2011.

Education commissioner Dwight Jones and higher education director David Skaggs would play major roles.

"I know the devil's in the details, but if we put the right people and task the right people to do this, we'll get there," Ritter said of the key players.

In recent decades, the major role in school reform has been played by the legislature, eclipsing the state Board of Education. Board member Evie Hudak said that the panel is eager to play a greater role.

"It's a very good thing," Hudak said. "It's entirely appropriate. We are the state Board of Education, and we should be doing it. We are not shy about doing work, and we have a staff to help."

The bill has bipartisan backing in the House and Senate.

The key Republican sponsors of Ritter's bill brought legislation last year to increase the amount of math and science needed for high school graduation.

Rep. Rob Witwer, R-Genesee, a sponsor of last year's bill, said he backs the governor's bill this time because it would direct the board of education to follow the most rigorous academic standards that can be identified in the U.S. and other nations.

"I'm very comfortable with that," he said.

morsonb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5209