DFER friends,
Those of us on the front lines of education reform believe strongly in our cause. We fight the good fight every day knowing it’s not going to be easy, that there are entrenched special interests which place the politics of adults over the promise of a quality education for every child in Colorado, regardless of race, gender or socio-economic background.
There are times when we wonder if our voice is heard, if our values are shared, if elected officials, community leaders, school boards and other key parties truly embrace what we see as a moral imperative.
Then comes Colorado Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia, who spoke so eloquently on the issue at a recent event that we at DFER felt compelled to pass along our deepest appreciation and echo his views on meaningful progressive education reform.
Simply put, the words of Lt. Gov. Garcia, spoken during the 74th Colorado Association of School Boards Convention, strengthen our resolve, energize our efforts and invigorate our mission.
“We need to stay the course,” said Mr. Garcia. “Above all, we need to be consistent and intentional in our strategy… And while there will be tough years when new systems are implemented, we need to do our best to adapt and stick to the plan. Otherwise, we risk creating disastrous ripples of inconsistency and inequality throughout our K-12 system.”
The implementation of reform does not come easily, and flexibility and course correction are sometimes needed to reach promised results. Noting this, Garcia went on to say, “There can and must be a rich debate over how we measure student progress, but we can’t stray from the path of high standards, quality assessments and effective educators.”
Detailing the work of the Colorado Standards and Assessments Task Force, or 1202 Commission, which has been convened to address issues surrounding the volume of assessments, Mr. Garcia indicated he is open to streamlining. “But this can’t come at the expense of giving up on fairness and consistency across every Colorado community,” Garcia stated emphatically.
Recognizing that “Colorado has a math problem,” Garcia urged the crowd to begin local conversations and build public support for change. DFER wholeheartedly agrees that, “We need sober recognition of financial realities we face and we need an understanding of what our parents and job creators want from our schools, and a vision of an economy that includes Colorado kids in its future.”
Lt. Gov. Garcia has clearly taken the time and effort to understand the nuances of a complex issue, one whose ultimate outcome will be critical to the future of our state.
DFER would like to take this opportunity to send our heartfelt thanks to Lt. Gov. Garcia, and others in leadership positions, who have shown the strength and foresight to stand firmly on the leading edge of what is best for our children.
Jen Walmer
Colorado State Director