Feb 1, 2024 | Uncategorized
69 Legislators Commit to Fully Buying Down the Budget Stabilization Factor
Denver, CO — The Colorado Education Association (CEA) today announced that 69 Colorado legislators in both chambers and across party lines signed a commitment to fully buy down the Budget Stabilization Factor (B.S. Factor) this legislative session.
“We’re thrilled to see legislators honoring their commitment to buy down the B.S. Factor to zero,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and President of CEA. “This is a crucial first step towards shoring up the future of public education in Colorado and will go a long way toward ensuring that each and every student in Colorado receives an exceptional education.”
Since the introduction of the B.S. Factor in 2010, Colorado students have faced a funding gap of more than $10 billion. While buying down the BS Factor is a necessary and vital step towards fully funding Colorado’s public schools, education funding levels would only return to levels seen in 1989. This underscores the substantial challenges faced by the education system in Colorado, as bridging the gap requires rectifying historical inadequacies in funding.
“In confronting the longstanding problem of continual disinvestment in Colorado’s students and educators over the course of several decades, it is essential not only to eliminate the B.S. factor entirely but also to reassess the limitations imposed by Colorado’s tax code, which have played a role in exacerbating the crisis in education funding,” said Baca-Oehlert. “The challenges faced by our public schools are intricate and interlinked and have led us to the brink of a crisis in public education in Colorado with a massive educator shortage, students with little access to much needed mental health supports, and class sizes that are much too large to meet the growing needs of students, necessitating a sustained and systemic funding solution that would significantly alleviate these issues.”
For a full list of the legislators who signed on to the commitment to buy down the B.S. Factor to zero, click here.
###
About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is a membership-based organization that represents nearly 40,000 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.
Follow CEA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Nov 17, 2023 | Uncategorized
Leading up to Thanksgiving, let’s make a difference by acknowledging the incredible work of educators. Your words of thanks can brighten someone’s day and inspire a culture of appreciation in our education community! Challenge those you’ve tagged to keep the gratitude flowing by nominating others each day. 🦃📚 #CEAGratitudeChallenge #WeAreCEA
Monday: Reflect & Recognize🌟
As we kick off our Gratitude Challenge, take a moment today to reflect on the unique qualities that make you thankful for your fellow educators. Share a shout-out or a memory that highlights the passion and dedication you see in your colleagues. Let’s start this week with positive vibes! 🍎💙 #CEAGratitudeChallenge #WeAreCEA
Gratitude Challenge Steps:
- Share a Memory: Post a photo or share a memory highlighting a colleague’s passion and dedication.
- Use #CEAGratitudeChallenge: Include the challenge hashtag in your post: #CEAGratitudeChallenge.
- Tag a Colleague: Tag a fellow educator, encouraging them to reflect and appreciate their peers.
Tuesday: Student Spotlight 📚🌈
Today, let’s shift our focus to the incredible students who make our classrooms vibrant! Share a story or a photo that captures a moment of inspiration from a student. Express your gratitude for the joy they bring to your teaching journey. 🌟👩🏫 #CEAGratitudeChallenge #WeAreCEA #StudentSpotlight #ThankfulTuesday
Gratitude Challenge Steps:
- Showcase a Student Moment: Share a story or photo capturing a special moment with a student.
- Include #CEAGratitudeChallenge: Don’t forget to use the challenge hashtag: #CEAGratitudeChallenge.
- Challenge Others: Challenge your colleagues to highlight the positive impact students have made in their classrooms.
Wednesday: Sharing Wisdom 🧠💬
Midweek calls for sharing wisdom and insights! Tag a fellow educator and let them know how their teachings or advice have made a difference in your professional life. It’s a day to celebrate the wealth of knowledge within our educational community. 🎓🤝 #CEAGratitudeChallenge #WisdomWednesday #WeAreCEA
Gratitude Challenge Steps:
- Share Teaching Insights: Post a valuable teaching technique, classroom activity, or lesson plan.
- Include #CEAGratitudeChallenge: Incorporate the challenge hashtag in your post: #CEAGratitudeChallenge.
- Tag a Teaching Friend: Tag a fellow educator and encourage them to share their wisdom as well.
Thursday: Happy Thanksgiving 🍁🧡🦃
This Thanksgiving, we’re thankful for the incredible educators who light up Colorado’s classrooms with passion and dedication! 🌟🍂 Your hard work and commitment makes a lasting impact on each and every students’ lives. Wishing all our amazing educators a joyful and restful Thanksgiving! 🍁🧡🦃 Let’s join hands in expressing our gratitude for the amazing educators who shape the minds of future generations. Participate in the challenge to share why you’re thankful for the educators in your life! #WeAreCEA #Thanksgiving #GratitudeChallenge
Gratitude Challenge Steps:
- Reflect and Share: Take a moment to reflect on the educators who have made a positive impact on you, your children, or your community.
- Express Your Gratitude: Create a post sharing why you’re grateful for these educators. It could be a specific memory, their dedication, or the positive influence they’ve had.
- Tag and Nominate: Tag friends, family, and colleagues to encourage them to join the challenge and express their gratitude for educators. Incorporate the challenge hashtag in your post: #CEAGratitudeChallenge.
Nov 10, 2023 | Uncategorized
CONTACT
Sydney Slifka
Director of Digital Communications
Colorado Education Association
sslifka@coloradoea.org
Cell: (720) 512-7790
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2023
Urgent Action, Lasting Impact
CEA’s Statement on the 2023 Special Session and Public Education Funding
DENVER, CO – Today, Governor Jared Polis called for a Special Session to address the escalating property taxes in our state. The following statement can be attributed to Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education association:
“In the wake of Prop HH’s defeat on the 2023 ballot, the Colorado Education Association appreciates Governor Polis’ proactive call for a Special Session to address escalating property taxes in our state. We are deeply empathetic to the challenges rising costs present to our students and their families and the most vulnerable members of our communities, including our seniors and veterans, and acknowledge that action must be taken.
“CEA firmly believes that any proposed solutions must be carefully crafted to protect the funding allocated to public education. Schools are the cornerstone of our society, and we remain dedicated to the cause of ensuring that every child in Colorado has access to a high-quality public education. It is imperative that any measures taken during the special session do not further compromise an already strained and underfunded system.
“We call on lawmakers to consider comprehensive and sustainable solutions that prioritize the needs of our communities while safeguarding the essential funding for public education. The Colorado Education Association remains committed to working collaboratively with the governor, legislators, and other stakeholders to find equitable and effective solutions and encourage open dialogue, careful consideration of all options, and a focus on long-term strategies that will prioritize those who need relief the most.
###
About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is a membership-based organization that represents nearly 40,000 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.
Nov 1, 2023 | Uncategorized
CONTACT
Sydney Slifka
Director of Digital Communications
Colorado Education Association
sslifka@coloradoea.org
(720) 512-7790
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2023
Colorado Education Association Applauds Governor Polis for Bold Budget Proposal, Prioritizing School Funding
DENVER, CO – As the representative of nearly 40,000 of Colorado’s education professionals, the Colorado Education Association is encouraged by Governor Jared Polis’ FY2023-24 state budget proposal, which places a strong emphasis on much-needed funding for Colorado’s public schools. The proposed full buy down of the Budget Stabilization factor underscores the Governor’s attentiveness to educators’ concerns and his unwavering commitment to strengthening our public education system, ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality education. Colorado is never, ever getting back together with the BS Factor.
The CEA is dedicated to advocating for a fully-funded education system. Despite Colorado’s thriving economy ranking 3rd in the nation, the state ranks 49th in average teacher starting salaries, and 35th in per-pupil spending. By the most generous estimate, Colorado’s students have faced a funding gap of at least $10 billion since the introduction of the Budget Stabilization factor in 2010 which translates to an entire generation of Colorado’s students who have never received a fully funded education in Colorado’s public schools.
To address the persistent issue of chronic disinvestment in Colorado’s students and educators spanning decades, it is crucial to not only buy down the Budget Stabilization factor to zero but also to reconsider the Colorado tax code restrictions that have contributed to this education funding crisis. Our public schools are grappling with a multitude of interconnected and complex challenges, all of which would greatly benefit from a sustained and systemic funding remedy.
The nearly 40,000 members of Colorado Education Association have been relentless advocates for increased funding for our students to ensure the schools all of Colorado’s students and educators deserve, sending nearly 4,000 postcards to the Governor this October with personal stories about the impact of having a fully funded public education system.
“We are ready to move into our Fully Funded Era,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, High School Counselor, and President of the Colorado Education Association. “We applaud Governor Polis for taking swift action to address the long-standing funding challenges faced by Colorado’s public schools. Colorado public schools are ready to finally shake off the decades-long BS Factor.”
The Colorado Education Association views his budget proposal as a pivotal step toward guaranteeing that Colorado’s students receive the high-quality education they rightfully deserve. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with the many public education advocates in the legislature to further enhance this financial investment and secure the most substantial funding for our public education system in Colorado history.
Highlights of the Governor’s budget proposal include:
- Full Buy Down of the Budget Stabilization Factor: Governor Polis’s proposal addresses this critical issue, ensuring that the state’s budget is no longer balanced on the back of our schools.
- Increase Per Pupil Funding: The budget prioritizes an average increase of $705 more per pupil, allowing schools to provide a better learning environment and resources for students.
- Funding for summer EBT program: Help over 300,000 food-insecure children receive the nutrition they need in the summer.
- More Housing Now: Prioritizing state funding and policy to increase Colorado’s housing supply.
“It is clear that Governor Polis has listened to the persistent voices of CEA members and, in his budget proposal, has demonstrated a profound commitment to public education and a deep understanding of its crucial role in our state’s future,” said Baca-Oehlert. “We commend his bold budget proposal and look forward to collaborative efforts with him and our state legislators to transform this vision into a reality. Together, we can provide the resources and support needed for our students and educators to thrive.”
“A fully-funded education system would lead to attracting and retaining more educators, smaller class sizes, safer schools equipped with ample mental health professionals – all of which contribute to improved student outcomes for all students. This is the Colorado that our students deserve, that our education professionals deserve, and the future we must demand,”
“We understand that this will be a long fight, marked by numerous significant challenges along the way. However, as Colorado’s largest labor union, we are ready for it. We are committed to working collaboratively with our state legislators to create policies around critical issues, from adequate funding to improved learning environments. By joining forces with our elected representatives, we will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and educators.”
About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is a membership-based organization that represents nearly 40,000 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.
###
Jun 26, 2023 | Uncategorized
This Sunday, alongside community partners like ONE Colorado and the Center on Colfax, approximately 100 Colorado educators and their family and friends joined the Denver PrideFest Parade to celebrate our LGBTQ+ community.
As representatives of nearly 39,000 Colorado educators, the Colorado Education Association was honored to participate in the city’s annual celebration with its own school bus themed float and the celebratation of inclusive schools and public education.
Celebrations such as these are particularly important after a year of heightened, politically-motivated attacks and hate crimes against our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender neighbors and colleagues. The CEA has found that, due in no small part to this heightened atmosphere of hatred, our fellow educators often find themselves uncomfortable with sharing their own identities at school. According to a study conducted in 2022, 85% of self-identified LGBTQ+ educators do not feel safe being out in their workplace.
“We must do everything within our power to create public schools that are inclusive, welcoming, and safe for all of our colleagues and students,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the CEA. “Consider the implications of an environment where an adult educator feels unsafe to be fully themselves – it’s unlikely that our young students feel safe to be themselves, to learn and grow, in that same environment.”
As part of our efforts to foster inclusion in our schools, CEA member educators championed the introduction of new statewide Social Studies standards by the Colorado State Board last fall, which were successfully adopted. These new, inclusive standards set Colorado apart as one of the first states to introduce a proactively inclusive and honest curriculum.
“As educators, one of the most important things we can do is make our students feel welcomed and accepted exactly as they are. We are committed to creating educational spaces that are inclusive and offer students an environment where they can learn and grow without fear or intimidation,” said Baca-Oehlert.
As participants in Denver’s PrideFest, we were proud to walk alongside so many of our community members who lead the way towards a better, more inclusive future for all of our students, educators, and neighbors.
###
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
May 3, 2023 | Press, Uncategorized
CONTACT
Lauren Stephenson
Director of Communications
Colorado Education Association
LStephenson@coloradoea.org
(303) 968-5573
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2023
Historic Bill Grants Educators and All Public Employees Workplace Protections
Safeguards Will Boost Teacher Retention, Workplace Safety
DENVER, CO – Today, Colorado’s public workers were finally granted the same workplace protections that private sector workers have enjoyed for over 90 years. With the passage of SB23-111, the Public Employees’ Workplace Protection bill, all public employees are legally safe from retaliation, harassment, and other workplace threats.
Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association, testified in support of this historic legislation. On its final passage today, she said, “On behalf of CEA’s 39,000 public school educators, I am thrilled to see that our legislative leadership listened to the hundreds of Colorado teachers who lobbied, emailed, texted, and called them this session. Finally, we will be able to advocate for ourselves, for our colleagues, and for our students without fear.”
During legislative hearings for SB23-111, educators from JeffCo to Woodland Park to Saguache shared their stories of unsafe workplaces and retaliatory actions. Just this year, Colorado educators (like David Graf of Woodland Park and Kevin Walek of Mountain Valley) have been retaliated against for “offenses” such as speaking at a school board meeting, advocating for innovative curriculum, or asking for safe staffing levels in their classrooms.
The Public Employees’ Workplace Protection bill aims to shield public workers from these harms by granting all public employees rights similar to those of Colorado’s private sector employees. SB23-111 gives public workers the right to do the following without employment repercussion:
- Discuss or express their opinions about workplace issues, and discuss their rights as workers, when discussing and addressing their concerns
- Organize, form, join, or assist an employee organization*, or refrain from organizing, forming, joining, or assisting an employee organization
- Engage in protected, concerted activity for the purpose of mutual aid or protection
- Fully participate in the political process while off-duty and not in uniform, including speaking with members of the public employer’s governing body on any matter of public concern, or on the terms and conditions of employment
Said Baca-Oehlert: “Without the protected right to advocate for ourselves and our students, our educators have often felt demoralized and disrespected, and increasingly, they are dropping out of the profession. The passage of SB23-111 shows our educators and all of our public workers that our legislators hear their concerns and understand their integral role in Colorado’s success. We’re grateful for the leadership of bill sponsors Senator Robert Rodriguez, and Representatives Brianna Titone and Steven Woodrow, as well as the entire Democratic Caucus. Colorado educators and all public workers who provide such critical sertices to our communities, eagerly await being granted the respect and legal protection they deserve when Governor Polis signs this bill into law.”
*As defined by this bill, “employee organization” means an organization independent of the employer in which public employees may participate and that exists for the purpose, in whole or in part, of acting on behalf of and for the benefit of the public employees concerning public employee grievances, labor disputes, wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. “Employee organization” includes any agents or representatives of the employee organization designated by the employee organization.
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
