Jan 24, 2023 | Press
CONTACT
Lauren Stephenson
Director of Communications
Colorado Education Association
LStephenson@coloradoea.org
(303) 968-5573
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2023
Colorado Educators: ‘Education System is in a State of Crisis’
Annual Report from CO’s Largest Union Illustrates Challenges and Opportunities
DENVER, CO — “Decades of neglect have left our education system in dire straits. The solutions are within our reach, and we can’t wait any longer. Are Colorado’s leaders up to the task?”
This is the central question asked by the Colorado Education Association (CEA) in its annual State of Education Report. Based on surveys of CEA educators, publicly available data, and news articles, the report highlights the obstacles facing our public education system, as well as proposed solutions.
Some excerpts:
Investment
A Colorado educator makes 35.9% less than a comparably educated professional. Our school system is operating at a more than decade-long deficit of $10 billion dollars. This has had deleterious downstream effects on every aspect of our schools, including educator pay, the educator shortage, student outcomes, and more.
Respect
Respecting our educators as experts means centering our voices in legislation that affects our work. In particular, education professionals must be included in decisions that affect accountability and assessment. Said one educator: “It is deeply demoralizing. I work in a relatively well resourced neighborhood public school. However post pandemic there’s a big push to try unproven, experimental methods of assessment, accountability, and curricula. I feel like I’m being admin-ed to death.”
Safety
67% of our educators are “very” or “somewhat worried” about a mass shooting at their school. The three most-often cited factors that negatively affect the well-being of our students and our education professionals are: a lack of mental health supports, a dearth of LGBTQ+ acceptance and inclusion, and a preponderance of access to firearms.
Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association, said of the report’s findings: “We must demand that our schools have the resources to meet every child’s needs with well-trained and supported educators, for a sustainable, equitable, and thriving education system.”
The State of Education Report outlines many ways legislative leaders can begin remedying these challenges with educator-driven solutions. Some of the specific policy solutions CEA will be prioritizing in the 2023 legislative session include: education funding, affordable housing, licensing eligibility, working conditions, mental health, and gun safety regulations.
CEA member and newly-elected State Representative Meghan Lukens is working on one such bill. “I’m excited to bring the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact,” she said. “As an educator and CEA member, I have seen the devastating impact of the Educator Shortage across the state and in my own school. I am excited to now be working with CEA to make the process to get a Colorado teaching license more efficient.”
Baca-Oehlert said, “Rep. Lukens’ bill is just one example of a concrete way we can improve our public education system right now. Yes, we’re at a crisis point, but that is no reason to resign ourselves to this status quo. We owe it to our students, and our dedicated education professionals, to get this right.”
For the full report, please go to https://coloradoea.org/state-of-education/
CEA President Amie Baca-Oehlert is available for followup interviews upon request. Please contact Lauren Stephenson (LStephenson@coloradoea.org), CEA’s Director of Communications, to schedule.
About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is the voice of 39,000 educators, working together in a strong union to ensure all students get the exceptional public schools they deserve, in every neighborhood across the state. As Colorado’s largest labor union, CEA works collectively with all education stakeholders to ensure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.
Follow CEA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Jan 17, 2023 | Press
CONTACT
Lauren Stephenson
Director of Communications
Colorado Education Association
LStephenson@coloradoea.org
(303) 968-5573
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2023
Colorado Educators Applaud Polis’ Promise to Increase Education Funding, Eliminate Budget Stabilization Factor By 2027
DENVER, CO. – During Tuesday’s State of the State address, Governor Jared Polis declared that “access to a quality education is a fundamental right and critical for our economic prosperity.” Polis went on to pledge his commitment to fully funding Colorado’s public education system by buying down the Budget Stabilization Factor during the 2023 Legislative Session and eliminating it completely by the end of his second term.
On behalf of 39,000 education professionals across Colorado, the Colorado Education Association has long stressed the need for substantial and sustained investment in our schools.
Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and President of the CEA, said:
“After a decade plus of disinvestment in Colorado’s public school system, we appreciate the Governor’s commitment to eliminating the BS Factor, and to fully funding our education system. It is more apparent now than ever that our students and our educators need resources and supports to thrive. Investing in Colorado’s students and educators should be the state’s top priority.
“Though it’s by no means a cure-all, eliminating the BS Factor would go a long way towards righting the systemic issues that have plagued our education system for over a decade. We look forward to collaborating with the Governor on this initiative and centering the voices of education professionals, students, and families.
Eliminating the BS factor – along with other priorities that the Governor outlined, such as housing, workforce development,and healthcare – will require a tax system that is equitable and sustainable. When our public finance system prioritizes the wellbeing of working families in our state over the interests of the ultra-wealthy, we will all have what we need to thrive and fully fund our communities.
“We now call on the Colorado State Legislature to make this proposition a reality for our public schools. Colorado’s educators look to you to stand up for them and their students – to ensure that they are provided with the resources they need, no matter what zip code they live in.”
About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is the voice of 39,000 educators, working together in a strong union to ensure all students get the exceptional public schools they deserve, in every neighborhood across the state. As Colorado’s largest labor union, CEA works collectively with all education stakeholders to ensure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.
Follow CEA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Nov 11, 2022 | Press
CONTACT
Lauren Stephenson
Director of Communications
Colorado Education Association
LStephenson@coloradoea.org
(303) 968-5573
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2022
Colorado Education Association Applauds State Board of Education’s Vote to Implement Inclusive Standards
DENVER, CO. – The Colorado Education Association is encouraged by today’s Colorado State Board of Education vote on the state’s Social Studies standards. By a vote of 4-3, the board solidified Colorado’s place as one of the first states to fully incorporate marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals, in its Social Studies standards.
This important decision follows state law as defined in the passage of HB 19-1192, but thanks to politicized arguments it has taken almost a year to implement. HB 19-1192, called the “Inclusion of American Minorities In Teaching Civil Government,” was sponsored by Reps. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, Bri Buentello, and Senator Julie Gonzales, during the 2019 legislative session. Its ultimate goal is to ensure that students learn the full spectrum of our collective history, thereby creating welcoming schools where every student can thrive, and become successful, informed citizens in our diverse world.
However, as the State Board of Education began to debate the recommendations from the Social Studies review committee (a committee made up of educators, parents, and community stakeholders), they received pushback against the law’s implementation thanks to a national campaign by rightwing activists. These activists provided hundreds of “recommendations,” which effectively erased from the standards all references to LGBTQ+ people, people of color, immigrants and other groups; as well as references to “equity,” “marginalized groups”; and any themes that were thought to reflect negatively on the United States’ history.1
Though they purported to be fighting for the quality of students’ education, they ignored virtually all feedback from education experts and professionals, parents, and students.
Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the CEA, had this to say at today’s State Board of Ed meeting: “This fall I criss-crossed the state to speak with as many educators as I could. And one thing that I can say with certainty is that educators are keenly aware of the discussions happening with the SBOE regarding the Social Studies standards. There is palpable fear for their students based on some of the rhetoric that has been espoused during the Social Studies standards review process.”
She continued, “As educators, we are committed, first and foremost, to creating educational spaces that are inclusive and offer students an environment without fear or intimidation, where they can learn and grow.”
Colorado’s State Board of Education ultimately agreed with this view, and voted to fully implement the Social Studies standards dictated in HB 19-1192.
This will be welcome news to CEA’s members and Colorado parents generally, who, research has shown, are more concerned with the real issues facing students and public schools – like a lack of funding and safety – than they are about distracting culture wars orchestrated by outside political interest groups.
“The Colorado Education Association remains committed to our students, and to collaborating with our districts and communities to create the safe and inclusive schools that our students deserve. Educators will always put our students first no matter their race, background, sexuality, or gender expression,” said Baca-Oehlert.
- Conservative Feedback Reshapes Colorado Social Studies Standards by Chase Woodruff ↩
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About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is the voice of 39,000 educators, working together in a strong union to ensure all students get the exceptional public schools they deserve, in every neighborhood across the state. As Colorado’s largest labor union, CEA works collectively with all education stakeholders to ensure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.
Follow CEA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Nov 9, 2022 | Press
CONTACT
Lauren Stephenson
Director of Communications
Colorado Education Association
LStephenson@coloradoea.org
(303) 968-5573
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2022
Colorado Voters Elect Majority Pro-Public Education Candidates in Historic Mid-Term Election
DENVER, CO – The Colorado Education Association is thrilled to announce historic wins for pro-public school candidates and initiatives up and down the Colorado ballot.
In addition to an incredibly strong showing by pro-public school education candidates on the federal and state level, we are equally excited by the array of wins at virtually every level of Colorado’s local government. Pending the results of outstanding races, Colorado voters may have elected the most public school educators to ever be seated in our state’s government.
Victories by CEA member candidates like Megan Lukens, Barbara McLachlan, and Dave Young; as well as public education champions like Kathy Plomer and Rebecca McClellan for Colorado’s Board of Education, show that Coloradans want more education experts in leadership. In fact, Colorado’s House and Senate, as well as Colorado’s State Board of Education, now all have pro-public school candidate majorities, and the overwhelming majority of CEA’s recommended candidates were voted into office.
We’re also hopeful about the few outstanding races of CEA members and pro-public education candidates such as Janice Marchman, Eliza Hamrick, Mary Young, and Rhonda Solis, who are currently ahead and have had a strong showing thus far.
The CEA is equally encouraged by the successes of ballot measures GG and FF, which will have measurable long-term benefits for our schools, students, educators, and communities. Prop GG will provide much needed transparency to Colorado’s voters when considering tax ballot measures, to ensure that they can confidently vote their values. CEA’s members are also looking forward to the many benefits of Prop FF, which will provide nourishing meals for all of our students, no matter what.
Likewise, we’re excited by the bond and mill levy wins in communities across the state, such as Greeley-Evans, Windsor, Brighton 27A, Mapleton, and Boulder Valley, which will infuse those school districts with sorely needed funding.
It is abundantly clear that Coloradans understand that our public schools need and deserve funding, and when given the chance, voters are excited to invest in their neighborhood schools.
“Colorado voters have spoken: Public education is a central priority for our state,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the CEA. “It’s clear that the vast majority of Coloradans not only support public schools, but understand that one of the best ways to show that support is by voting their pro-public school values in every election.”
“We’d like to especially thank our 39,000 members who have done so much to get pro-public school candidates elected – and for the critical work that they do every single day,” said Baca-Oehlert.
This pro-public school majority arrives at a critical time for Colorado, when our public schools, our education professionals, and our students are in desperate need of investment. We look forward to working with this new and ambitious slate of leaders to ensure that investing in our students, our education professionals, and our public schools becomes a reality.
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About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is the voice of 39,000 educators, working together in a strong union to ensure all students get the exceptional public schools they deserve, in every neighborhood across the state. As Colorado’s largest labor union, CEA works collectively with all education stakeholders to ensure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.
Follow CEA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Nov 1, 2022 | Press
CONTACT
Lauren Stephenson
Director of Communications
Colorado Education Association
LStephenson@coloradoea.org
303-968-5573
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2022
Colorado’s Education Professionals Are Encouraged by Governor Polis’ Proposed State Budget
Turns Attention to Legislature to Secure Necessary Investment
DENVER, CO – As the representative of Colorado’s 39,000 education professionals, the Colorado Education Association is encouraged by the level of education funding put forth in Governor Jared Polis’ FY2022-23 state budget announced today.
In particular we commend his dedication to increased investment in per-pupil funding and special education support. In conjunction with the 2021-2022 budget, it’s clear that the Governor understands that there are few priorities that are as critical and consistently underfunded as Colorado’s education system.
We look forward to working with the many public education champions in the legislature to build upon this funding to secure the largest possible investment in our education system.
The CEA and its members are fighting for nothing less than a fully-funded education system. Our state’s robust economy ranks 6th in the nation, but ranks 49th in salaries for education professionals, and 40th in per-pupil spending. By the most generous measure, Colorado’s students have been robbed of at least $10 billion since the implementation of the Budget Stabilization factor in 2010.
To right decades of chronic disinvestment will require not just the elimination of the Budget Stabilization factor, but a reimagining of the restrictive tax code that has led to this financial depletion. Our public schools face many overlapping, complex challenges, all of which would be remedied by an influx of sustained, substantial investment.
Everyday Coloradans understand this and respect our education professionals. 74% of parents approve of their children’s teachers and said they would support a pay increase.
“A fully-funded education system would mean attracting and retaining more educators, smaller class sizes, safer schools equipped with ample mental health professionals – all of which lead to better student outcomes for all students. This is the Colorado that our students deserve, that our education professionals deserve, and the future we all must demand, ” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association.
“When we talk about Colorado’s education system, we’re not just talking about our children’s physical schools and facilities. It’s time our legislators realize that without an adequate public education system, Colorado cannot reasonably hope to maintain its status as a magnet for innovation, progress, and democracy. We know that this will be a long fight, and there are many significant battles along the way. But as Colorado’s largest labor union, we will continue to show up and to support pro-public school education leaders and legislation in every facet of our government. Our teachers and students deserve nothing less.”
About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is a membership-based organization that represents 39,000 Colorado education professionals. The CEA promise to our students and communities is that the members of the Association will lead the way in guaranteeing every student access to the best public education. By working collectively with all education stakeholders, we will provide the best public education for every student and assure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.
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Oct 7, 2022 | Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2022
Contact: Lauren Stephenson LStephenson@coloradoea.org (303) 968-5573
Colorado’s largest union amplifies pro-public education candidates
DENVER – Colorado’s largest union, the Colorado Education Association (CEA), announced on behalf of its 39,000 members that it will support 2022 election candidates and ballot measures that prioritize the investment, respect, and safety of our public schools.
In just the last two years, CEA’s members have weathered an historic pandemic where they overcame unbelievable hurdles to support, educate, and feed Colorado’s students; they’ve shouldered increasing responsibility while earning the absolute lowest wages in the country; and they continue to face an unprecedented educator shortage in their workplaces and a lack of affordable housing in their communities. Despite these immense challenges, Colorado’s education professionals remain united and more determined than ever to elect pro-public education leadership this November
“The 39,000 members of the Colorado Education Association are focused on ensuring the election of pro-public education candidates, and to passing pro-public education ballot measures. Our students and educators deserve nothing less than fully-resourced schools,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the CEA. “Our public schools, students, and educators deserve elected officials who will take bold action to tackle the chronic underfunding of our public schools, so that all students – no matter their skin color or zip code – get an exceptional education.” She continued, “We have the solutions to remedy our public schools. What we need is the full investment, trust, and respect of our elected leadership.”
CEA Recommended Candidates and Ballot Initiatives for the 2022 Election
For the latest CEA election recommendations, visit cea.yourvoter.guide
Federal Candidates
- US Senate – Michael Bennet
- House CD1 – Diana DeGette
- House CD2 – Joe Neguse
- House CD6 – Jason Crow
- House CD7 – Brittany Pettersen
- House CD8 – Yadira Caraveo
State and Legislative Candidates
- Secretary of State – Jena Griswold
- State Treasurer – Dave Young
- State Attorney General – Phil Weiser
- Governor – Jared Polis
- State Board of Education – Kathy Plomer
- State Board of Education CD6 – Rebecca McClellan
- State Board of Education CD8 – Rhonda Solis
- State SD3 – Nick Hinrichsen
- State SD8 – Dylan Roberts
- State SD9 – Arik Dougherty
- State SD11 – Tony Exum
- State SD15 – Janice Marchman
- State SD20 – Lisa A. Cutter
- State SD22 – Jessie Danielson
- State SD24 – Kyle Mullica
- State SD25 – Faith Winter
- State SD27 – Tom Sullivan
- State SD30 – Braeden Miguel
- State SD32 – Robert Rodriguez
- State SD34 – Julie C. Gonzales
- State HD1 – Javier Mabrey
- State HD2 – Steven Woodrow
- State HD3 – Meg Froelich
- State HD4 – Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez
- State HD6 – Elisabeth Epps
- State HD7 – Jennifer Bacon
- State HD9 – Emily Sirota
- State HD10 Junie Joseph
- State HD11 – Karen McCormick
- State HD12 – Tracey Bernett
- State HD13 – Julie McCluskie
- State HD14 Rob Rogers
- State HD16 – Stephanie Vigil
- State HD17 Regina English
- State HD18 – Marc Snyder
- State HD19 – Jennifer Lea Parenti
- State HD23 – Monica Irasema Duran
- State HD24 – Lindsey N. Daugherty
- State HD25 – Tammy Story
- State HD26 – Meghan Lukens
- State HD27 – Brianna Titone
- State HD28 – Sheila Lieder
- State HD29 – Shannon Bird
- State HD30 – Chris Kennedy
- State HD31 – Said Sharbini
- State HD32 – Dafna Michaelson Jenet
- State HD33 – William Lindstedt
- State HD34 – Jenny Willford
- State HD36 – Mike Weissman
- State HD37 – Ruby Dickson
- State HD38 – David Ortiz
- State HD39 – Eric Brody
- State HD41 – Iman M. Jodeh
- State HD42 – Mandy Lindsay
- State HD43 – Robert “Bob” Marshall
- State HD46 – Tisha Lyn Mauro
- State HD47 – Edwin Dean Ormiston
- State HD49 – Judy Amabile
- State HD50 – Mary Young
- State HD52 – Cathy Kipp
- State HD53 – Andrew Boesenecker
- State HD57 – Elizabeth Velasco
- State HD59 – Barbara McLachlan
- State HD61 – Eliza Hamrick
- State HD62 – Matthew Martinez
- State HD65 Lisa Chollet
- State HD60 Kathryn Green
STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURES
- SUPPORT – Proposition GG (formerly SB 222) “Amount of Tax Owed Table for Initiatives”
- SUPPORT – Proposition FF (formerly HB 1414) “Healthy Meals for All Public School Students”
- SUPPORT – Proposition 123 (formerly Initiative #108) “Dedicate Revenue for Affordable Housing Programs”
- OPPOSE – Proposition 121 (formerly Initiative #31) “State Income Tax Rate Reduction”
- SUPPORT – ALL Local Mill Levy Override / Bond Measures – Property taxes are the first source of funding for our schools, and any reduction of property taxes (or failure to set property taxes consistent with rising property values) necessarily reduces our schools’ funding.
About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is a membership-based organization that represents 39,000 Colorado educators. The CEA promise to our students and communities is that the members of the Association will lead the way in guaranteeing every student access to the best public education. By working collectively with all education stakeholders, we will provide the best public education for every student and assure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.
For more: coloradoea.org
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