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.
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May 11, 2022 | Press
CONTACT
Jason Malmberg
720-261-0273
jasonmalmberg7@gmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2022
Adams 14 Educators Shocked by State Board Vote
Committed to District-TNTP management consultants partnership
COMMERCE CITY, COLO. – In a surprise move, yesterday the State Board of Education voted to start a reorganization process for Adams 14, just a month after voting for the district to co-govern with a partial manager. The audience at yesterday’s vote was sparse, while so many Adams County residents attended the April meeting, spectators spilled into the overflow room.
“Educators, students and families are stunned that the State Board of Education voted to reverse last month’s decision to support the innovation and partial management plans put forth by the district and supported by the community,” said Jason Malmberg, a music teacher and School District 14 Classroom Teachers Association president. “Even though we’re furious that the State Board continues to jerk us all around, we want to be clear that teachers are committed to not just finishing the school year strong for our students, but also collaborating with Dr. Loria, the district, our community and others to advance the future of Adams 14 schools.
The Adams 14 district has been in constant turmoil since the State Board of Education forced a private for-profit management partner on them, an expensive and failed experiment that left staff, students, parents and community members demoralized and frustrated. Last month’s district proposal for co-partner management status outlined that district staff, educators, students and families would come together to build community schools to provide the wraparound services that are proven to lead to greater student well-being and academic growth.
“The Commerce City community has communicated loud and clear that they want a collaborative school design process that prioritizes the needs and strengths of the community, and we all feel confused and heartbroken about the Board’s vote,” said Lacey Mueller-Taschdjian, a middle school math teacher in the district. “No matter what we look like, where we live or how much we have in our wallets, we all want exceptional public schools that inspire imagination, cultivate critical thinking and encourage collaboration to ensure our children can live fulfilling lives – and the innovation plan for Central Elementary and a community school to open in the fall will help get us there.”
The Adams 14 community has a strong sense of community pride, with multiple generations in families having attended from its local schools. Many students will continue this legacy when they graduate at commencement on May 21, 2022.
“I grew up in a working class minority family, just like the kids in my class. These students are at risk of losing the opportunity to earn a seal of biliteracy, a valuable certification that attests to their language abilities,” said Derene Armelin, an Adams 14 elementary school teacher and Adams 14 graduate. “It looks to me like the State Board of Education is unfairly discriminating against this community based on their income and skin color since I have never seen them challenge and disrespect a white, male superintendent like they have Dr. Loria.”
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The School District 14 Classroom Teachers Association represents Adams 14 educators and is a local of the Colorado Education Association, Colorado’s largest labor union. The Colorado Education Association is the voice of 39,000 educators, working together to ensure all students get the exceptional public schools they deserve, in every neighborhood across the state.
Apr 15, 2022 | Press
CONTACT
Jason Malmberg
720-261-0273
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2022
Adams 14 & CEA Educators Cautiously Optimistic After State Board Vote
District will move to co-govern with management consultants
The following statement can be attributed to Jason Malmberg, middle school music teacher and president of the SD14 Classroom Teachers Association:
“Today, educators, students and families are breathing a little easier after the State Board of Education voted to grant Adams 14 time to produce its innovation and partial management plans for the district, Central Elementary and Adams City High School. There will be no school closures which is a major victory for the students, families, educators and community.
“Our district has been in constant turmoil since the State Board of Education forced a private for-profit management partner on us, a failed experiment that left us all demoralized and frustrated. We’re cautiously optimistic that under co-partner management status, district staff, educators, students and families can come together to build the community schools we believe will provide the wraparound services that lead to greater student health and academic growth.
“District 14 educators are eager to collaborate with Dr. Loria, the district, and a new partner to provide the academic, social, emotional and other support our students need to learn, thrive and make their dreams come true. We are encouraged to develop a plan that will be envisioned with authentic community input as we heard loud and clear from community members that they want a collaborative school design process that prioritizes the needs and strengths of the community.
“With a strong sense of community pride, our students will continue the Adams 14 legacy when many of them will become third and fourth generation graduates of their public schools in May and in years to come.”
The following statement can be attributed to Amie Baca Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association, the voice of 39,000 educators:
“No matter what we look like, where we live or how much we have in our wallets, we all want exceptional public schools that inspire imagination, cultivate critical thinking and encourage collaboration to ensure our children can live fulfilling lives – that includes the hardworking families and educators in Commerce City. The Colorado Education Association will continue to support the students, families, and educators of Adams 14 by supporting our community school model and its expansion throughout Adams 14.”
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Aug 25, 2021 | Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2021
Statement from Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association (CEA), on the allocation of Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds by the Colorado State Board of Education:
“We want to thank the Colorado State Board of Education for listening to stakeholder input in deciding where to best allocate these federal funds. Commissioner Anthes recognizes that we are all in this together and the best way to ensure our students get what they need is to listen to parents, students, educators, and other stakeholders who want the best for our students. We look forward to continuing to partner and share the voices of educators, the professionals who serve students every day in the classrooms, as the federal dollars are received and implemented.
“While we’re excited about the additional funds our schools will receive in order to support students, it is a stark reminder that our state’s public schools have been drastically underfunded for the past decade. Having these additional federal funds would go much further for things like student and educator mental and emotional supports if our schools were fully funded to begin with. We can and must do better funding our public schools so that all students, and the educators who serve them, have the resources they need to succeed no matter the zip code in which they live.”
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.
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Feb 5, 2020 | Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 5, 2020
CEA Recommends Esc√°rcega, Esser for State Education Board
DENVER – The Colorado Education Association today announced its 38,000 members will support Lisa Esc√°rcega for election to the State Board of Education in District 1, and Dr. Karla Esser for election to the State Board in District 7.
“We are excited to have two candidates with such extensive experience and deep understanding of K-12 education issues step forward and volunteer to serve the state,” said CEA President Amie Baca-Oehlert, a high school counselor.
“If elected, Lisa and Karla will bring their expertise and experiences as educators to make sound decisions for the students, educators and parents of Colorado. We need their leadership on a State Board that will be willing to listen to educators and community members and to collaborate on solutions that will help every student thrive,” Baca-Oehlert added.
CEA arrived at recommending Esc√°rcega and Esser through a committee of CEA members who reviewed candidate questionnaires and conducted face-to-face interviews. Esc√°rcega and Esser clearly came out on top as the best candidates to stand with students, educators and parents.
“The State Board of Education requires bold leadership to drive policy change that elevates public education for all Coloradans. We need members on the State Board who truly value our students, the educators who tirelessly support them, and the communities that need a greater voice in their children’s futures. Lisa and Karla are the best candidates to provide that vision moving forward and CEA is proud to support them,” Baca-Oehlert concluded.
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