Ad sponsor: Friends of Jared Polis
Producer: The Campaign Group
Type and length: 30-second TV spot
Airing: Denver market
Features Polis discussing education in what appears to be a school.
Claim: “We can really make a difference in our schools by improving the funding sources, making sure the kids have smaller class size . . . ”
Fact: Polis helped lead the charge in 2000 for Amendment 23, which guaranteed funding increases for K-12 education each year. Part of that money can be used for class-size reduction.
Analysis: While numerous studies have pointed out the benefits of small class sizes, the ad doesn’t discuss how, as a congressman, Polis would boost funding for schools or work to lower class sizes.
Claim: “. . . and making sure the teachers have the resources they need for professional development to be the very best teachers they can.”
Fact: The Jared Polis Foundation gave 15 teachers $1,000 grants and awarded another $1,000 to those educators’ schools in 2008.
Analysis: Again, the ad doesn’t explain how Polis, as a congressman, would give teachers the resources they need.
Claims are: True, though short on details.
