GOP Fights to Improve Student Success, Despite Opposition from Dem Leadership

DENVER—Legislative Council successfully moved a measure to find ways to improve Colorado’s educational system this morning, despite vehement opposition from Democrat leadership. 

Senate Bill 111, sponsored by State Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs, and Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, creates the Educational Success Task Force in the Department of Education.

The task force will review ways to help students succeed, including: where intervention education services are needed, and what practices and strategies for providing intervention services are best.  Task force members will also be charged with recommending ways to ensure the student’s who graduate are workforce ready and prepared for college. 

“We could do better by our students,” said Massey, chair of the House Education Committee.  “Too many students are dropping out of school, or graduating without the skills necessary to enter the workforce or college.  This task force will find better ways to help those students who are falling behind.” 

                                                                                                                                   

Democrat leaders, including Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, and House Minority Leader Sal Pace, D-Pueblo, voted against the task force to help students succeed.

“We must ensure that Colorado’s students possess the skills and education necessary to succeed, especially considering the state of our economy,” said Carole Murray, R-Castle Rock.  “I am disappointed that Democrat leadership sided with partisanship instead of this common sense measure that will benefit Colorado’s children.”  

###