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Believe in a Better Colorado

Believe in a Better Colorado. www.believeinabettercolorado.org. How did we get into this financial situation?. 48 th in the nation in K-12 spending 1 48 th in Higher Education spending 2 49 th in spending for teacher salaries and benefits 3. Colorado Spending per $1,000 of Personal Income.

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Believe in a Better Colorado

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  1. Believe in a Better Colorado www.believeinabettercolorado.org

  2. How did we get into this financial situation?

  3. 48thin the nation in K-12 spending 1 48thin Higher Education spending 2 49thin spending for teacher salaries and benefits 3 Colorado Spending per$1,000 of Personal Income 1 Colorado Legislative Council, 2006 2 Center for Budget Policy & Priorities, 2005 3 US Census Bureau, 2004-05

  4. 2003:41st in the nation Center for Budget Policy and Priorities, October 2005 Colorado K-12Student-Teacher Ratio

  5. Believe in a Better Colorado!

  6. Our current funding systems for K-12 and Higher Education do not support our goal of preparing students for their future in a global economy. Education Funding in Colorado

  7. High school diplomas are imperative, and more jobs will require education beyond high school. Average Salaries Americans with advanced degrees$78,093 College graduates$51,554 High school graduates $28,645 High school drop-outs $19,169 U.S. Census Bureau, 2004

  8. We are growing our economy with workers educated outside our borders. Colorado has the 2nd highest percentage of college graduates in the nation, but we rank 32nd in sending high school graduates to college. Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, February 2007 The Colorado Paradox

  9. Our public education system was not designed to provide the workforce that a 21st century, global economy requires. We must prepare our students to be successful in the 21st century and shift from a focus onaccess for all toproficiencyfor all. The New Realityfor Public Schools

  10. 1992-2005: A 24% increase in the number of students in Colorado’s public schools In the Five Star District: 1992: 21,148 2006: 35,643 2007: 38,821 Colorado School Finance Project, 2006 We also have another challenge:a growing, changing student population.

  11. 43% of all K-12 students are currently identified as at-risk, special education, or English language learners, up from 35% in 1995. In the Five Star District: At-Risk 1992: 3,259 2007: 11,149 Special Education: 1992: 3,080 2007: 3,480 English Language Learners 1994: 248 2007: 5,624 We also have another challenge:a growing, changing student population.

  12. Why did you get into the profession of education? Community’s view of public education’s role 75 percent of community does not have children in schools What does the community receive as its return on investment? Views of public education’s role

  13. We don’t have the resources needed to educate all children to expected proficiency levels. Evidence: National Conference of State Legislators found that an additional 20-40 percent is needed in state budgets to bring all students to proficiency. Today’s Dilemma

  14. Colorado is a wealthy state. • Colorado’s #2 ranking for college-educated adults accounts for its high wages. Unfortunately, the majority of college-educated adults are coming from OUTSIDE of Colorado. • Colorado’s taxes are among the lowest in the nation. • 4th lowest effective state and local tax burden • 2nd lowest business tax burden • 6th lowest state sales tax rate • 2nd lowest residential property tax burden Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, 2007

  15. Per Student Spending Wyoming $2,525 more than Colorado Nebraska $552 more than Colorado Colorado spends $7,730 per student, $971 below the national average of $8,701. U.S. Census Bureau, 2004-05 Colorado’s Neighbors

  16. 2011 (This is the year that this year’s freshmen will graduate.) Amendment 23 funding shrinks Ref C time-out ends TABOR remains Bottom line: The funding scene only gets WORSE between now and 2011. Today’s funding picture is as bright as it gets – unless something changes now. A Critical Date

  17. The challenge is to create a tax structure that supports our public education system – both K-12 and Higher Education – and the other essential public services that Colorado needs. The Challenge

  18. Fair and Equitable Taxation Economic Development Opportunities Adequate Funding for Public Education Our Goal

  19. Build a broad coalition for change in tax policy and funding for public services Develop solutions and grassroots support Believe in a Better Colorado’s 2-4 Year Plan

  20. Local support Mill levy overrides (1991, 2000, 2004) 2000 Mill: $10.2 million 2001: $366 per student 2008: $304 per student 17% decline in dollar power 2004 Mill: $9.9 million 2005: $313 per student 2008: $295 per student 6% decline in dollar power Bond issues (1991, 2000, 2004) What are WE doing in the interim?

  21. Believe in a Better Colorado! www.believeinabettercolorado.org

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