As a former school teacher whose children attended Colorado public schools, I know that it’s our teachers who make the biggest impact on children, and that impact happens in classrooms.
That’s why it only makes sense to make our classrooms, teachers and students our first priority in public education funding. A “Yes” vote on Amendment 39 will do just that, ensuring that at least 65 percent of every K-12 dollar reaches our classrooms.
Since the passage of Amendment 23 in 2000, Colorado schools have received record funding. But educational excellence isn’t simply based on how much money we’re spending, but on how much education we’re getting for our money.
Unfortunately, we’re not getting our money’s worth. As a statewide average, Colorado classroom instruction receives only about 58 percent of operational funds. That’s just embarrassing.
Amendment 39 changes this by setting a statewide goal of 65 percent for classroom instruction, and says: “Instruction” shall include activities dealing directly with interaction between students and teachers, or other classroom and instructional personnel, special education instruction, tutors, books, classroom computers, general instruction supplies, instructional aides, libraries and librarians, and class activities such as field trips, athletics, arts, music, and multi-disciplinary learning.
Increasing to 65 percent means $400 million more for Colorado classrooms, without a tax increase!
Amendment 39 keeps local control, as each district will decide for itself how best to spend the additional classroom money. Some may want to pay their teachers more, or update textbooks or bring arts and music back into their classrooms. This guarantees local control, and statewide accountability.
Amendment 39 allows districts currently below 65 percent to increase at 2 percent per year until the goal is met. By example, Gov. Bill Owens and the legislature this year agreed to an 8 percent funding increase for K-12 education. A district currently below 65 percent would need only to place a larger percentage of their new dollars in classrooms to meet the 2 percent increase.
Because all school districts are not alike, Amendment 39 allows districts with unique circumstances to ask for a waiver from the governor. A rural district with unusually high transportation costs is a prime example.
Getting the resources to classrooms makes a difference in educational outcomes. The top states for National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test scores on cumulative math and reading proficiencies are Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Vermont, and each puts 65 percent or more into their classrooms, using the same definition as Amendment 39 does. And every state that scores higher than Colorado places a higher percentage of money in their classrooms.
Critics ask, “What about school lunches or counselors, or buses or the heating? Aren’t they important?”
Yes, these are important, and 35 percent of the budget is left for these and other activities. Massachusetts provides school lunches. Minnesota provides counselors. New Hampshire provides school buses. Vermont provides heat, and the highest test scores nationally. This isn’t about whether we need buses, maintenance, heat and food services in our schools. It’s about providing these things more efficiently.
About a quarter of all school districts in America get at least 65 percent to their classrooms, but only 11 of Colorado’s 181 do. Clearly, we can do better.
Doing better starts with knowing where our education dollars are going. School districts need to take a hard look at administrator salaries, vehicle fleets, professional association dues and how much they spend on lawyers, lobbyists, and public relations?
But every teacher I know spends their own money for basic classroom supplies.
Let’s make Colorado’s classrooms, teachers and students come first by voting “yes” on Amendment 39.
Jane Norton is lieutenant governor of Colorado.
