Education
A quality public education system is fundamental to democracy and an essential investment in our future. Our civic and economic vitality depends on the skill level, creativity, problem-solving capacity, and leadership abilities of its workforce. A high-quality public education for 21st-century learners—from preschool through post-secondary vocational programs, college, and life-long learning opportunities—must be accessible and affordable to all student populations.
Funding and Government Responsibility
Create additional dedicated sources of funding for public schools, as well as following existing state statutes for public schools to fill the gap left by several decades of underfunding. Federal and state mandates must meet their financial obligations. We support:
Utilizing public school funds only for public schools.
Increased funding for mental health, counseling services, anti-bullying programs and suicide prevention.
Developing a formula to equalize economic disparities across the state.
Holding charter schools to the same standards as public neighborhood schools.
Investing in our aging public school buildings.
High-speed internet services for all students.
Nutritious meals for students.
Reducing corporate privatization of our public schools and corporate influences on decisions.
Full funding of Special Education and Title programs.
Inclusivity and Diversity
Our education system must be inclusive of our diverse population, equally serving all ethnic and cultural, and religious groups, tribal members and students from varied socioeconomic backgrounds. Diversity is to be honored and respected. We support:
Parent outreach and involvement in public schools.
Programs to recruit staff from diverse communities.
Programs of inclusion and enhancement regarding the needs of special populations of students including those
with medical, emotional, physical, or developmental disabilities, English Language Learners, LGBTQ+, and
gifted/talented students.
Lower class sizes especially for at-risk students.
Staff and Family management of student behavior and recommend a restorative justice model.
Adult education programs that provide career training and continuing education.
Student Curriculum, Instruction, Evaluation
Every pre-K-12 student should have access to high-quality, balanced, engaging instruction at a neighborhood school. We support:
Curriculum that provides multiple pathways to success that is authentic, engaging, and culturally relevant.
Fact-based science and history curricula presented without bias.
Extracurricular activities and the arts as part of a well-rounded public education system.
Critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, innovation and collaboration at all levels.
Reduction of excessive standardized testing to punish rather than support.
The development of an accountability system that honors students’ disparate talents.
Early childhood education (preschool and full-day Kindergarten).
Unstructured “play” time appropriate for students’ social, emotional, creative, and intellectual development.
Comprehensive sex education classes.
Evidence-based intervention strategies.
Vocational, career and technical training, and post-secondary programs for high school students.
Close monitoring of the quality and administration of on-line education.
13. School sanctions that include proven and effective interventions, smaller class sizes, and wrap-around services for students and families.
Emergency Crisis Response
Schools and districts must be prepared for emergency crisis situations that interrupt the learning process. We support:
Efforts to reengage students and families who have not been able to work virtually or have disengaged from the educational system.
Improving remote learning technology and provide the assistance necessary to mitigate disruption.
The creation of additional learning opportunities for students whose learning was disrupted.
Hazard pay for educators and suspension of the use of student testing to evaluate teachers.
Educators, Educational Support Professionals, and Students’ Rights
Educators and Educational Support Professionals deserve fair wages and benefits, safe working conditions, and legal rights, including the right to collective bargaining and should be part of the decision-making process. Students have a right to a safe, equitable, inclusive learning environment. We support:
Professional teachers’ academic freedom and professional judgment.
Teachers’ rights to due process.
Fair, equitable, and non-discriminatory licensing, recruitment, hiring practices, and retention of teachers,
educational support professionals, and administrators.
Timely access to professional health services for students and staff.
A safe workplace free of guns.
Public education experience should be required for the Colorado Secretary of Education.
Decoupling student scores from teacher evaluation, compensation, and pay-for-performance (or merit-based
pay).
Student privacy rights that reflect ethical, lawful, and responsible security of data.
Licensed teachers in every classroom.
Higher Education and Post-Secondary Education
Continuing education at institutes of higher learning should be available at reasonable cost to all qualified students. We support:
Free or low-cost public higher education for all students.
Financial aid and in-state tuition for undocumented students on the same basis as other students.
Removing student loan funding responsibility from the private sector to public underwriting.
Student financial aid packages including student loans, work-study programs, scholarships, and Pell grants
should be increased.
Faculty, including part-time and adjunct-faculty, at all public institutions of higher education should have the
right to organize and to receive fair and equitable compensation and working conditions.
The right to organize for graduate students and student athletes.
Increasing funding for merit scholarships for highly qualified Colorado students.
Vocational training programs in green energy and information and other emerging technologies.
Equal opportunities for women and minority students in STEM programs.
The rights of persons convicted of non-violent felonies to be able to apply for and receive student loans.
Increasing concurrent enrollment programs in high schools.