- Westminster Public Schools
- April 23 - Lawmakers Still Debating School Finance, Testing
D50 Insider 2014 - 15 Archives
- D50 Insider Archives Home
- May 21st Edition
- Governor Signs ‘Pay for Success’ Childhood Education Bill in District 50
- WHS Class of 2015 Graduates
- Sister Gives Grad a Surprise Gift
- WHS Seniors Honored
- Scott Carpenter Students ‘Rise Above’ in ASTRO-nomical Way
- ‘Fred’ Award Winners Recognized
- ‘Fred Award’ Winners Eat Lunch with Fred
- D50 Says ‘Thank You’ to Retirees
- D50 Television Schedule
- Calendar
- May 7th Edition
- Lawmakers Compromise on Money, Tests
- Alice Collins: Former Pro Golfer Recognized for English Language Program earners
- Zoë Driver, Elks Teacher of Year
- Next Generation Learning Takes Major Step Forward
- ‘RENT’ Nominated as Outstanding Overall Production
- Scott Carpenter Kids Shine at ‘Yess Breakfast’
- Class of 2015 Ready to Graduate
- Gillian Muniz Signs to Play College Basketball
- National Honor Society Inducts New Members
- Sunset Ridge Artist Celebrated at Rockies Game
- Fairview Celebrates Mexican Culture
- ‘Fred’ Award Winners Recognized
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- April 23rd Edition
- Lawmakers Still Debating School Finance, Testing
- District 50 Receives Innovative Grant to Improve Early Childhood Education
- Students Send Anti-Drug Message on 4-20
- Alice Collins Named English Language Development Director of Year
- Brian Kosena Named New Principal at Tennyson Knolls Elementary
- Meet Karina Costas, Elks Teacher of the Year
- District Art Show Highlights Student Talents and Diverse Cultures
- Bob Landgraf Honored with Opportunity Fund in his Name
- WHS Plant Sale Starts Saturday
- Ed Foundation Golf Tournament is June 3rd
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- April 9th Edition
- Bob Landgraf Remembered as a Man Who Made a Difference
- Teachers of Year Named
- ‘Fred’ Award Winners Recognized
- ‘Talking Topics’ Examines STEM Education at WHS
- “Riva Day” at Hodgkins, Money Raised
- Celebrate Art and Culture April 17
- Date Set for Retirement Celebration
- 2015-16 School Year to Begin August 19th
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar of Events
- March 12th Edition
- Girls’ B-Ball Team Honored at State Capitol
- 72nd Avenue Closed Next Week
- Sunset Ridge Receives ‘Foundations for Great Schools’ Award
- Retiring Principal of Tennyson Knolls Elementary Honored
- 2014-15 Celebrating Academic Excellence Winners
- Crown Pointe, STEM Academy Shine in Destination Imagination Competition
- Hodgkins Collects ‘Pennies for Patients’
- ‘RENT’ hits Westminster High Stage this Month
- ‘Westy Without Hate Week’ Begins Monday
- Artistic Achievements on Display at WHS
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- February 26th Edition
- Girls’ B-Ball Team Wins Conference, Host Playoff Game Friday
- Board Supports Funding Resolution
- Contract Negotiations in Public
- State Tests Begin in March
- ‘Fred’ Award Winners Bring out Fans
- Student’s Help Build Sculpture for St. Anthony North Hospital
- Leggett Family Receives ‘Thanks of a Grateful Nation’
- Westy El Principal Loses Bet, Gets New Look
- A Tradition of Giving to D50 Families in Need
- ‘Celebrating Academic Excellence’ Moved to March 7
- Tickets for D50 Nuggets Night Available
- District 50 Television Schedule
- Calendar
- February 12th Edition
- Spring Testing To Go Forward
- Superintendents Unite on Increased Funding
- Contract Negotiations Go Public
- Teacher Leadership Cabinet Meets for First Time
- English Learning Students Receive Grant
- Record Turnout for Tuition and Scholarship Fair
- HLHS Educator Breaks Ground in Teaching Holocaust
- Pedal Power Keeps Students Healthy
- Westy Celebrates Success
- Tickets for D50 Nuggets Night Available
- District 50 Television Schedule
- Calendar
- January 29th Edition
- State of the District Speech Looks to Future
- Two ‘Fred’ Award Winners Named
- Metz Elementary Receives Book Donations
- District to Sell Roush Property
- Special Education Students Inspire Recycling Program
- Students Build ‘Retro’ Arcade Games at WHS
- WHS Students Sign Letters of Intent
- College Tuition and Scholarship Fair is Saturday
- Nuggets Night Set for Tuesday, March 3rd
- D50 Television Schedule
- Calendar
- January 15th Edition
- State Leaders Meet with BOE to Learn About Needs and Priorities
- District 50 Awarded College Grant
- 72nd and Raleigh Bridge Replacement Project
- Shaw Heights Fights Cancer
- College Tuition and Scholarship Fair is January 31
- CSA Science Fair Highlights Students Work
- WHS Hosts Robotics Championship Saturday
- District Closed to Celebrate Life of Martin Luther King Jr.
- District 50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- December 18th Edition
- District 50 Named to AP Honor Roll
- Skyline Students Visit Westy, Experience STEM
- BOE Recognizes Sunset Ridge
- WHS Grad Injured in Iraq War Named U.S. Disabled Soccer Athlete of Year
- Holiday Video Postcard Captures Joy of Season
- Santa Teams up with Superintendent to Deliver Xmas Message
- Meet ‘Fred’ Award Winner Laura Johnson
- Baker Demolition Underway
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- December 4th Edition
- Video Explains School Closure Process
- District 50 Continues to Grow
- Sunset Ridge Honored with Governor’s Award
- College Tour Opens a World of Possibilities to Families
- WHS has High Rate of Disadvantaged Students Going to Elite Colleges
- Drug Free Conference Celebrates a Quarter Century
- Ranum Guitar Students Learn From Veteran Player
- Teacher Hosts 10th Annual ELD Thanksgiving Feast
- Metz Students Revisit the Disco Age
- Have A Heart - Holiday Schedule
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- November 13th Edition
- Voters Reject District 50 Ballot Measures
- Westy Grad Killed in Afghanistan Honored
- Flynn, Shaw Heights Commemorate Veterans Day
- Conference Athlete of the Month - Gillian Muniz
- LASA Recognized as ‘Rising Stars’
- CASB Honors Bob Landgraf
- Adventure Golf Lights up the Holidays
- Avenue Q on Stage at Westminster High School
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- October 30th Edition
- Showcase Highlights D50 Opportunities
- ESP Cabinet Focused on the Future
- Former Board Member Bob Landgraf Honored
- Season to Remember for WHS Softball, Soccer and Football
- Behind the Scenes Video Previews WHS Production of ‘Avenue Q’
- Clear Lake Middle School Demolition Underway
- “Haunted High” at Hidden Lake High School
- Voting Underway on District 50 Ballot Measures
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- October 16th Edition
- District 50 Showcase is October 27
- Hand Sanitizers Added to District 50 Buildings
- Metz Elementary, Neighbors get New Playground
- Helicopters, Proclamation Celebrates Red Ribbon Week
- ‘Brain Gym’ Program Connects D50 to Kaiser Permanente and Good Health
- Hyland Hills Board of Directors Vote to Support District 50 Ballot Measures
- Avenue Q to Hit Westy High Stage in November
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- October 2nd Edition
- Unique Partnership Allows Teachers and Students to Learn at the Same Time
- Lt. Governor Encourages WHS Students to Pursue College Dreams
- ESP Staff Focuses on Customer Service, Work Place Competency
- Westminster City Council Supports D50 Mill Levy and Bond Election
- Yellow Ribbon Program Honored
- BOE Member Survives Hurricane, Reflects on What Really Matters
- D50 Spreads Peace to the World
- Homecoming Parade Emphasizes Community Pride
- New D50 Tradition Unites Community and Raises Money
- Constitution Quiz Answers, Winners Revealed
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- September 18th Edition
- September 4th Edition
- District 50 Board Places Bond, Mill Levy on November Ballot
- District 50 to Honor WHS Grad Killed in Afghanistan
- CBS Symposium Focuses on District 50 Mission
- A ‘Cool’ Message of Thanks
- Ice Bucket Challenge Freezes D50
- New Leaders at D50 Schools
- ‘News You Can Use’ in Mailbox
- Alumni Golf Tournament Just Around the Corner
- ‘Under a Neon Moon’ is the WHS Homecoming Theme
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- August 21st Edition
- District 50 Continues Strong, Steady Academic Growth
- Students, Teachers Return to Classroom
- ‘Welcome Back Rally’ Motivates, Inspires D50 Staff
- New Teachers on the Job in D50
- Summer Work Improves, Cools District 50 Schools
- ‘Have A Heart’ Back for Another Year; Still Guided by Founders
- Community Fair Brings Assistance to Westminster Families
- Young Football Players Learn from Westminster’s Elite
- Your Tweet Can Raise Money, Support District 50 Tennis
- Alumni Golf Tournament Part of Homecoming Weekend
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
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Lawmakers Still Debating School Finance, Testing
With the clock winding down on the 2015 legislative session, lawmakers are still working to resolve two key education issues that directly impact all students in District 50: testing and money. By law, the legislative session is a maximum of 120 days meaning their work must be finished by May 6th.
Testing
Lawmakers have spent much of the session trying to find the right balance between student measurement and accountability and effective education. As of this week, no significant legislation has been agreed upon, though several bills are pending.
Critics across the state believe students spend too much time taking high stakes tests and not enough time learning. Many are also critical of the new online (PARCC) Partnershipfor Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers assessments and have urged lawmakers to pass legislation allowing students to “opt out” of the test without penalizing school districts that don’t meet the mandated participation rate of 95%.
On Wednesday, Governor John Hickenlooper was joined by former Governors Roy Romer and Bill Owens who were critical of what they said were bipartisan efforts to undo education reform in Colorado. You can read more about their comments here.
Leaders in District 50 have repeatedly told the Colorado Department of Education that while the District believes in accountability, the current emphasis on testing is not compatible with a true Competency Based System (CBS). CBS requires students to master a learning topic before moving onto the next level, but because of high stakes testing there can be pressure to expose students to test material even when they are not ready for it.
Funding
Superintendent Pam Swanson testified before the Senate Education Committee last week urging lawmakers to put more money into education in general and designate a higher percentage of it towards “at risk” students who face the challenges of poverty and learning English.
“From my perspective, there is no higher priority than investing money in our ‘at risk’ children to ensure that they succeed so they can help their communities grow and prosper,” said Swanson.
The current funding bill passed by the Senate Committee allocates $25 million to pay down the so called negative factor, which is money taken away from school districts during the height of the recession. Governor Hickenlooper and the vast majority of state superintendents had asked lawmakers to return $200 million to school districts with a special emphasis on “at risk” students and children in rural school districts.
The House is expected to take up the funding issue next week.
A good resource to follow ongoing developments at the state Capitol and education in general is Chalkbeat Colorado.
Posted April 23, 2015