Democrats Attempt to Kill Colorado School Choice, But Parents Find Surprise Ally
Written by: Norma Goodman
State House Bill 1363, known as the "Charter Schools Accountability" bill, is causing a stir in Colorado as it makes its way through the legislature. Introduced by representatives Tammy Story and Lorena Garcia, along with Senator Lisa Cutter, the bill has sparked controversy due to its potential impact on charter schools and school choice.
Supporters of the bill argue that it aims to hold charter schools accountable. However, opponents believe that it could eliminate certain laws that currently protect charter schools and ultimately harm school choice in the state. This has led to a significant backlash and concerns from various stakeholders.
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Even Governor Jared Polis, who is known for his support of education access, innovation, and choice, has openly expressed his opposition to the bill.
In a statement, he emphasized that Colorado is a national leader in school choice and that public charter schools are a popular option for many families. He believes that the bill would weaken school choice rather than strengthen it, and he strongly opposes its passage.
Laura Jeans Downs, the Director of Mesa Valley Community School, spoke out against the bill, highlighting the potential negative consequences it could have on charter schools. She explained that the bill includes provisions that would restrict the freedoms of parents to choose and limit the quality of education that charter schools can provide by reducing their resources.
If passed and signed into law, HB24-1363 would:
Ensure that a third of a charter school’s board is parents and guardians of students who attend the school and reflect the community’s demographics.
Ban automatic waivers for charter schools and ban them from waiving requirements for a personnel performance evaluation system.
Would now be required to pay rent for public school district facilities.
Allow districts to revoke a charter school’s charter if district enrollment is decreasing.
As the bill progresses through the legislative process, pushback is expected not only from members of the state house but also from Governor Jared Polis himself, who has long been a supporter of charter schools.
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The battle over this bill reflects the ongoing debate surrounding charter schools and the importance of maintaining school choice for Colorado families.
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