Molly Morgan, 6, left, listens closely during class with teacher Nikki Mitchell. Kindergarteners in Mitchell’s class at Redstone Elementary school have a full day of reading, writing, arts and crafts, songs, and computer and library. There was a bill in the legislature that would have made it easier for districts to pass a tax increase to pay for full- day kindergarten. (Helen H. Richardson)
Re: Many Colorado schools still failing after years, millions of dollars, Feb. 21 news story.
I m happy to see that education concerns are finally making the front page. However, I think there is a bigger funding issue for Colorado schools that should be on the front page.
Earlier this month, the Colorado legislature killed a bill that would fund all-day kindergarten statewide. As it is now, only half-day kindergarten is state-funded. So only families that can afford to pay tuition for their child are able to get a full day of kindergarten education in the public school system.
These are the pre-Common Core children whose curriculum was changed mid-education, without any additional funding provided by the state to purchase new textbooks and science supplies that are necessary to teach the altered curriculum. There is a lack of funding for teacher training in this critical time, when we have changed their teaching requirements. We need fully funded kindergarten, ongoing state-funded teacher training for core curriculum, and provision of supplies (including textbooks and science kits) before we will see educational success.
Jennifer Pula, Wheat Ridge
This letter was published in the Fab. 28 edition.
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