An Evaluation of the Equity of Colorado School Finance, the Application of the Negative Factor, and the Long-term Impacts to the Economy of Colorado

An Evaluation of the Equity of Colorado School Finance, the Application of the Negative Factor, and the Long-term Impacts to the Economy of Colorado
Author: William Peter Dallas
Publisher:
Total Pages: 120
Release: 2017
Genre: Education
ISBN:

This dissertation links to an energetic discussion currently unfolding in Colorado regarding beliefs concerning an equitable and constitutionally appropriate level of school funding. Prior to the Great Recession, Colorado enacted a series of legislative reform initiatives, which have gridlocked the state’s ability to increase revenue and adversely impacted available funding for public school education. Amendment 23 was a legislative reform initiative designed to safeguard the public education. However, following the economic downturn of the early 21st century, Colorado enacted HB 10-1369, also known as the Negative Factor. This piece of legislation legalized a reduction of funding to Colorado school districts and currently funnels nearly one billion dollars annually away from education. This dissertation employs a series of economic models to evaluate per pupil equity prior to and post implementation of the negative factor. In addition, this dissertation utilizes two models to outline the way in which this reduction can result in an overall loss to public and economic goods. Findings assert that equity of total per pupil funding in Colorado has decreased during the application of the negative factor, that this decrease was experienced during a time of increased disparity across school districts, and that predictors within the state funding formula exist which disadvantage school districts compared to others when subjected to funding reductions applied through the negative factor. Through the use of an opportunity cost model, this dissertation also cautions that, not only are lost positive returns of investing further in K-12 education present, but if steps are not taken to correct revenue constricting legislative measures, the use of the negative factor as a means to balance the state Total and General Funds is a short-term and limited solution to a much broader governmental issue.

Colorado School Finance Partnership

Colorado School Finance Partnership
Author: Colorado Children's Campaign, Denver
Publisher:
Total Pages: 25
Release: 2012
Genre:
ISBN:

Over the last decade, Colorado has emerged as a national leader in crafting innovative solutions for challenges facing its public school system. From implementing the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) reforms to more recent legislation including standards and assessments for a preschool-through-college framework, school and district accountability and accreditation requirements and teacher evaluation systems tied to student performance, Colorado's education policies and schools are deeply focused on innovation and accountability. Despite this progress, one part of the state's public policies hasn't kept up; it has been nearly 20 years since Colorado revamped and modernized its school finance legislation. The state's School Finance Act (SFA) was last overhauled in 1994. While Colorado is strategically moving ahead on education policy reform, the issue of school finance remains largely unchanged and outdated in many areas. The Colorado Children's Campaign, a nonprofit research and advocacy organization with education expertise, convened a diverse group of education leaders, education reform advocates, elected officials and business leaders to form the School Finance Partnership (SFP or the Partnership) in the spring of 2011. The purpose of the SFP is to examine how Colorado currently funds its public schools and to propose innovative recommendations to the state's policymakers for a comprehensive overhaul of Colorado's school funding system. The Partnership seeks a defined connection between the student outcomes schools are expected to achieve, the resources that are provided to schools and how schools are funded to reach those targets. The SFP is made up of two committees: (1) a Steering Committee; and (2) a Partnership Committee. This paper presents the recommendations developed by the SFP which are the result of a full-consensus model, where all present members of the Steering Committee agreed to each recommendation and, ultimately, to the full set of recommendations. The recommendations were developed through intensive learning processes, including presentations from national experts and analysis of research about the current school finance structure and potential alternatives. Although bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders with a wide range of perspectives was a bold endeavor, the common values and goal the group established--providing a high-quality education for every student in Colorado--led to the development of a robust set of recommendations that the Partnership believes will lead to critical changes in the way Colorado funds its schools. A bibliography is included. (Contains 22 footnotes.).

Analysis of the Economic Impact and Return on Investment of Education

Analysis of the Economic Impact and Return on Investment of Education
Author: Emsi (Firm).
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2017
Genre: Community colleges
ISBN:

This report assesses the impact of the Colorado Community College System colleges (CCCS colleges) on the state economy and the benefits generated by the colleges for students, taxpayers, and society. The results of this study show that CCCS colleges create a positive net impact on the state economy and generate a positive return on investment for students, taxpayers, and society.