Gov. Ritter signs Senate Bill 191 into law in 2010.
By Jen Walmer, DFER-CO State Director
School reform in Colorado is under attack— and we want you to understand how important this battle really is.
Senate Bill 191 (also known as the Great Teachers and Leaders Law) passed in 2010 and addressed a few critical flaws in Colorado’s public education system. Prior to its passage, excellent teachers were not being recruited, rewarded, and retained; average teachers were not getting the feedback and support they needed to improve; and ineffective teachers were staying in the system, to the detriment of our children. This common-sense law put strict accountability measures in place, giving teachers and school leaders the power to choose who works in their classrooms and rewarding educators for effective performance.
Despite overwhelming public support for this model tenure reform law, the state’s largest teacher union, the Colorado Education Association, chose to file a lawsuit last Wednesday to attempt to overturn SB 191. We can’t afford to let that happen. So, a broad, bipartisan statewide coalition of leaders in the business and education communities is fighting back.
In a recent poll, 94% of voters agreed principals should not be forced to hire a teacher they don’t think is a good fit. Seventy seven percent supported “mutual consent” policies requiring the consent of the teacher and principal before a school district can place a teacher in a school. And, 82% supported eliminating “last in, first out” policies that take teacher quality out of the equation when it comes to district layoffs. These numbers clearly demonstrate Colorado’s commitment to progressive educational policies, and we’re proud that voters, regardless of party affiliation, are united over this critical issue.
It’s disappointing that the Colorado Education Association chose litigation over collaboration. We strongly oppose this lawsuit and such tactics, and we are working with this coalition to defeat it and promote the cause of excellence in teaching.
Former Governors Bill Ritter (D) and Bill Owens (R) agree that Colorado can’t step backwards. (You can read their recent editorial here.)
With the Great Teachers and Leaders Law, Colorado told the nation that it was committed to putting students first. Let’s not ruin that legacy by undoing critical reforms that our children—and educators—truly need.
Jennifer Walmer is the state director of DFER Colorado (DFER-CO). Prior to joining DFER-CO, Walmer was the Chief of Staff for the Superintendent of the Denver Public Schools, Tom Boasberg, where she helped pass a $500 million bond and mill initiative in November 2012. Walmer also was the Superintendent’s primary strategic liaison with a divided Board of Education; managed government affairs for the district; and led strategic partnership efforts with community organizations. Read more about Jen here.