DENVER – This week, the State Board of Education considered rule changes that, if implemented, will remove innovative part-time learning options for thousands of families across the state. These families have found that traditional public schools do not meet the needs of their children, many of whom have special needs, mental health challenges, or physical impairments. Part-time, teacher-led enrichment programs such as My Tech High supplement a home-based education and give students access to high-quality remote teachers, courses and materials. These programs are now at risk of losing funding next year.
Tess Marler, a mom of a child with significant needs gave emotional and powerful public testimony on Wednesday, “The only program in our state that has supported our family is My Tech High. My Tech High has provided the teachers, resources, curriculum, and flexibility required for my son to succeed.”
(CBS4’s Shaun Boyd covered the board meeting in a story last night)
For years, Colorado has been a national leader in granting authority to locally elected school boards to offer public school enrichment programs to homeschool students in grades K-12. This attack on local control and parent choice from the Democrat-controlled State Board is alarming.“Colorado’s public school enrollment is at the lowest level it has been in a decade, while chronic absenteeism is at an all-time high,” said Brenda Dickhoner, President and CEO of Ready Colorado, during her testimony. “And yet, here we are discussing a set of rules that will, in effect, exclude at least 3,000 students (likely more) from our public school system.” State Board Member Steve Durham voiced opposition to the proposed rule changes, saying “Instead of stifling innovation which these rules do, we should be encouraging innovation.” The State Board of Education will take a vote on the proposed rule changes during their meeting on March 13 and 14.—You can watch Dickhoner’s full comments to the board here or read them below:“Madam Chair and members of the board. I’m Brenda Dickhoner, the president of Ready Colorado, an advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring every child has an exceptional education.
Colorado’s public school enrollment is at the lowest level it has been in a decade, while chronic absenteeism is at an all-time high.
And yet, here we are discussing a set of rules that will, in effect, exclude at least 4,000 students (likely more) from our public school system. Students who have found, for a variety of reasons, that the traditional, in-person model does not work for them. These students left our public school system and have only re-engaged because of a high quality, part-time program that is flexible and meets their unique needs.
Let’s be clear. The claims by CDE staff that these rules increase flexibility do not ring true to the thousands of families currently enrolled in publicly funded programs who will no longer be able to enroll in those same programs. Mince words how you want, the reality you must grapple with is that you are removing innovative options from families that will leave them displaced from our public school system.
Additionally, I have been incredibly disappointed by the attitude of this department and the deep bias against homeschooling families. This is a population that has grown and diversified and represents families from all walks of life, political persuasions, and values. You have heard from families whose children have been bullied, are neurodivergent and have endured mental health struggles.
Instead of embracing those students and asking what we as a public school system can do to meet their needs, we are shutting them out.
Instead of connecting those students to a teacher who can lead an inspiring remote learning course for them, we are saying sorry, you are not old enough. Instead of embracing innovation and designing appropriate guardrails for that innovation, these rules simply say no.
CDE, with these proposed rules, has signaled that apparently the work is just too hard. That we cannot meet this moment and find a path forward that provides for a responsible use of taxpayer dollars, that honors local control, and that allows students to access blended learning options in all grades.
And this is the same department that has as a pillar of its strategic plan: “All Means All.”
Words on a piece of paper are meaningless without action behind them. By approving these rules, CDE and the State Board are saying loud and clear that Colorado is not a public education system for all. It is a public education system for some. For those square peg students who can fit into the square box you are defining as public education.
I respectfully ask the State Board to reconsider these rules and address the myriad concerns stakeholders have shared. I have yet to hear a single person in support of these rules, while you have now received hundreds of letters in opposition.
At the very least, making the simple change to remove the prohibition on blended learning in grades K-5 would have a profound positive impact on thousands of students and would convey to the millions of Coloradans that our state does embrace ALL learners and is truly committed to their success.
Thank you.”
