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• Free breakfast bill clears State Senate

  April 19, 2013 8:43 PM

  DENVER - Certain public schools in Colorado could soon be required to serve free breakfast to students during the start of the school day. House Bill 1006 , the Breakfast after the Bell bill, passed the State Senate Friday after clearing the House last month. Beginning in the fall... more »

• Head Start, Early Head Start funding on federal chopping block

  February 25, 2013 7:04 PM

  If Congress fails to act, budget cuts could seriously impact local children and their access to early childhood education. The 'sequester'-- a series of automatic budget cuts-- has left funding for programs like Head Start and Early Head Start on the chopping block. The program provides free preschool and comprehensive... more »

• New NC child development director opposes pre-K

  February 6, 2013 6:09 PM

  RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The woman appointed to lead child development and early education in North Carolina once led an organization opposed to preschool programs. WRAL-TV in Raleigh reports Dianna Lightfoot was recently president of the National Physicians Center for Family Resources, an agency that advocates against "institutional" preschool programs.... more »

• Fiscal cliff deal slows Colorado revenue gains

  January 20, 2013 12:39 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado state government stands to lose $45 million in the current fiscal year and $100 million in the next one because of tax changes included in the federal fiscal cliff agreement. The Denver Post reports that the revenue cuts will come in estate tax revenue. Last month,... more »

• Academy encourages local kids to ask an astronaut

  January 16, 2013 4:42 PM

  US AIR FORCE ACADEMY - Hey kids, have you ever wondered what it's like in space? Why not ask an astronaut about it? This week the US Air Force Academy is collecting questions from local students from kindergarten through 12th grade to be asked of former astronaut and retired Air... more »

• Catholic school teacher builds character with academics Play Video

  November 1, 2012 7:48 PM

  At Saint John Neumann Catholic School in Pueblo, 3rd grade teacher Jean Starcer isn't shy about her expectations. "I expect politeness, I expect neat papers, I don't take messy work," she said. "They have to hand in work on time or they get deducted for points." Our October... more »

• Districts 60 and 70 join in the We Are Education celebration

  October 13, 2012 7:08 PM

  It's a celebration that's the first of its kind at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center in Pueblo. Faculty, staff, and students from Districts 60 and 70 gathered today for the We Are Education celebration. From music and food to painting pumpkins, kids and adults had fun while remembering the... more »

• State educators worried about online testing and high-speed internet

  August 20, 2012 12:27 PM

  Colorado educators are worried that limited access to the Internet will hurt some school children as the state takes testing online. Many rural communities lack high-speed access and in some cases, classes are forced to log off so other classes can get the information they need. Classes ranging from Advanced... more »

• Report: More high school students taking math, science and online courses; fewer employed

  May 24, 2012 12:58 AM

  MIAMI (AP) - More high school students are enrolled in math and science classes with increasing numbers seeking online learning opportunities. Fewer are wanting or able to find a job after school. Those are just some of the changes under way at the nation's high schools described in a report... more »

• Fourth grade teacher keeps students interested and excited about learning

  May 2, 2012 7:23 PM

  Fourth grade teacher Amy McLay is always hatching new ideas on how to keep her students at District 20's Mountain View Elementary. "I'll have kids get up in the middle of lesson and we'll do jumping jacks and then they're back with me or I'll stand on chairs or... more »

• Layoffs likely as D11 board discusses budget cuts Play Video

  April 25, 2012 7:34 PM

  As many as 54 jobs are on the block as the District 11 Board of Education takes a preliminary vote tonight to cut some $8.6 million from the 2012-2013 school year budget. Of the job cuts identified, 25 would come from schools, around 17 from central administration and another 12... more »

• D.A.R.E. no more in Pueblo

  April 24, 2012 7:17 PM

  The DARE program has reached it's last stop in Pueblo. The police department is ending the drug and violence resistance courses in the fall in order to put more officers out on the streets. Captain James Gowin of the PPD's Services Bureau says the change was prompted by in-depth efficiency... more »

• Firsthand history lesson Play Video

  April 11, 2012 6:47 PM

  Honors history students from Coronado High School are getting a personal lesson about our nation's wars from the men and women who fought them. Around 90 students spent the day Wednesday at the Inn at Garden Plaza Retirement Community recording interviews with veterans of World War II, the Korean War... more »

• Holmes Middle School nets three-peat in national award

  April 3, 2012 7:16 PM

  Holmes Middle School in Colorado Springs School District 11 has been designated as a Trailblazer School to Watch for a third consecutive time. The award was launched in 1999 as part of a recognition program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. It is awarded once every... more »

• School board to consider eliminating 48 positions

  March 20, 2012 8:54 PM

  Budget cuts could force Colorado Springs School District 11 to eliminate as many as four dozen full-time teaching positions next year. Under a budget proposal up for consideration by the D11 board of education, all 48 Literacy Resource Teacher positions would be eliminated as the district attempts to close an... more »

• Seniors wait for tax relief as Colo. mulls budget

  February 25, 2012 11:28 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Seniors waiting for a property tax break will get an answer in the coming weeks as a budget showdown plays out in the Colorado Legislature. Voters approved the tax break more than a decade ago, but it's rarely been in place because of tough budget times. This... more »

• Colorado gets No Child Left Behind exemption

  February 9, 2012 6:14 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Associated Press has learned that President Barack Obama on Thursday will free 10 states from the strict requirements of the Bush-era No Child Left Behind law. The move gives long-sought leeway to states that promise to improve how they prepare and evaluate students. A White House... more »

• Teacher draws on personal adversity to help students succeed Play Video

  January 26, 2012 7:11 PM

  Melanie Austin couldn't be happier to be in the classroom. Working with special education students has literally been her life's ambition. "When I was 10 years old, I was going to school in Jefferson County and I was at one school and across the way was a special... more »

• Gov. Kitzhaber pitches health, education overhauls

  January 13, 2012 6:34 PM

  PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - After a year spent developing plans for massive changes to the way Oregon delivers health care and education, Gov. John Kitzhaber faces a critical test in the Legislature next month when lawmakers must decide whether to implement his ideas or toss them aside. The Democratic governor... more »

• Colorado gets education grant

  December 23, 2011 5:14 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado has been awarded a federal education grant worth nearly $18 million - after being passed over three times for bigger awards from the "Race To The Top" competition. The award announced Friday will be used to help pay for Colorado's new statewide teacher evaluation system. It... more »

• Stay at home mom discovers passion for teaching

  December 16, 2011 5:09 PM

  Teaching wasn't Mindy Sabo's first career choice. In fact, she says she just wanted to be an artist. But simply being a stay at home mom was enough to get her in the classroom. "My youngest son went to kindergarten and I was home alone and I didn't like... more »

• Big changes could come to D-60 Play Video

  December 8, 2011 12:13 AM

  Pueblo parents are up in arms over proposed school closures and re-alignments. For months, District 60 has been mulling over various plans to up academic achievement while dramatically cutting their budget. "Half of our 36 district schools are impacted." explains D-60 Spokesman Greg Sinn, "That's a full range of elementary,... more »

• Grading teachers: state rolls out report card system Play Video

  November 28, 2011 7:46 PM

  Teachers in Colorado will soon be taking home a report card of their own. The Colorado Department of Education has released new guidelines that help local districts evaluate teacher and principal effectiveness. Under Senate Bill 191, which passed in 2010, teachers can lose tenure if their students fail to... more »

• Colo. school incentive program awaits more funds

  November 27, 2011 10:47 AM

  DENVER (AP) - A pilot program to improve college readiness among Colorado teens produced more high scores on students' Advanced Placement tests - and paid $69,500 to teachers as a reward. Now the National Math and Science Initiative is trying to expand the program to more Colorado schools. ... more »

• Colo. applies for 3rd round of Race to the Top

  November 23, 2011 2:50 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado is once again trying to win federal money for school reforms. The U.S. Department of Education said Wednesday that Colorado is among seven states that have submitted applications in the third round of the Race to the Top program. Winning states will win grants... more »

• CO schools luring more foreign students

  November 20, 2011 12:52 PM

  BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - A new Colorado law freeing state universities to recruit more international students has prompted schools to begin aggressively courting foreigners who want to study in the United States and pay higher tuition. The Daily Camera reports that Colorado State University is seriously considering hiring an... more »

• Education cuts hitting home Play Video

  November 14, 2011 6:27 PM

  Classroom in Colorado Springs School District 11 will be empty next week as employees take their two mandatory furlough days this year. Glen Gustafson, D11's chief financial office, says all of the furloughs are happening during Thanksgiving week to minimize the impact on the community. "We know that this... more »

• Colorado moving ahead with 4-tier teacher ratings

  November 9, 2011 2:29 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado officials are taking final action on a teacher rating system that could make it easier to fire teachers who don't meet testing standards. The Board of Education was poised to approve the system Wednesday. The standards create a four-tier grading system for teachers and principals. The... more »

• Area schools eyeing more budget cuts Play Video

  November 4, 2011 12:42 AM

  It seems another, deeper round of budget cuts are on the horizon for Colorado Springs schools. On Tuesday voters across the state defeated Proposition 103, which would have raised sales and income taxes to help fund schools. District 11 CFO Glenn Gustafson says cuts in his district will be steep.... more »

• $3B tax hike for schools on ballot for CO voters

  October 22, 2011 6:20 PM

  DENVER (AP) - The nation's only ballot measure this fall that proposes a state tax increase pits some defenders of Colorado's underfunded schools against those who warn it will cost jobs. Proposition 103 would raise state taxes for five years to generate nearly $3 billion for the education system.... more »

• Symposium ties school success to emotional well-being

  October 19, 2011 3:02 PM

  A local non-profit agency is hosting a free education workshop next month to help parents, teachers and education professionals work together to improve student achievement. The Family Attachment Center's 7th Annual Achieving High Success in School Community Educational Symposium will take place at the Penrose House in Colorado Springs from... more »

• Cool Science off to super cool start

  October 15, 2011 10:31 AM

  The Colorado Springs Cool Science Festival kicks off today with a blast! The carnival, which is held at UCCS, gets going at 9am with a day filled with activities, live demos, and much, much more. Get to see rockets launch, participate in nature walks, and witness (controlled) explosions. There's... more »

• Proposition will raise taxes to support education

  October 2, 2011 8:36 PM

  Proposition 103 would raise state sales and income taxes for five years. It's expected to generate an estimated $3 billion dollars for public education. Supporters say the state needs the money to prevent even deeper cuts in school funding. "We're in a situation right now where education is at... more »

• Teacher stays sharp by connecting with peers

  September 29, 2011 4:35 PM

  Early in the school year, third grade teacher Jene Herrera noticed something about her students at Highland Park Elementary, a Pueblo City School. "They can read very well, but they can't always tell me about what they've read," Herrera said. So this morning, her reading lesson involves a... more »

• Walking around the world

  September 28, 2011 8:14 PM

  Some fourth graders at Pioneer Elementary in Academy District 20 have walked half-way around the world. They're participating the Global Childrens Challenge wearing by pedometers every day for 50 days straight and keeping a log of their steps. Their daily class average of nearly 24,000 steps a day is... more »

• CU introduces Peace Corps program

  September 24, 2011 12:49 PM

  BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - A new program at the University of Colorado allows students to serve in the Peace Corps and also earn a master's in business administration, education, environmental studies or geography. Peter Simons of the Institute for Ethical and Civic Engagement at CU says the Boulder campus is... more »

• Colo. school funding trial wrapping up in Denver

  September 2, 2011 8:32 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Attorneys representing Colorado in a lawsuit over how it funds education say the plaintiffs want a utopia not required by the state constitution. But lawyers representing parents and 21 school districts contended Friday that the state's method of funding education is irrational and leaves poor students at... more »

• CSPD and UCCS awarded grant to curb underage drinking

  August 31, 2011 12:34 AM

  The police department and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs are teaming up in an effort to curb underage drinking in our community. The two are sharing a $40,000 from the Colorado Department of Revenue Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement Division. Sgt. Steve Noblitt of CSPD says officers are... more »

• UCCS goes global

  August 24, 2011 7:26 PM

  The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is taking big steps in getting students ready to work in a global market place. The school was recently awarded the At Home in the World Initiative from American Council on Education. The program was created to promote diversity in education and... more »

• Suit challenging CO education funds goes to trial

  July 31, 2011 1:54 PM

  DENVER (AP) - A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of how Colorado funds education is going to trial in Denver District Court. The plaintiffs contend Colorado has underfunded schools and violated its constitutional mandate requiring a "thorough and uniform" education system. They say that poorer communities are at a funding... more »

• Falcon school district charging for bus rides

  July 9, 2011 6:35 PM

  COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Falcon School District 49 plans to charge most students $1 each time they board a school bus next school year, but not enough students are signing up for rides. The school board voted earlier this year to switch to a fee-for-service bus operation this fall... more »

• 5th grade teacher motivated by his struggles as a student

  June 1, 2011 4:50 PM

  You'll notice two things when you walk in to Justin Shue's 5th grade class at Goodnight Elementary in the Pueblo City School District. First, his kids don't stay seated for very long. "Students when the come to school they want to move and they want to talk," Shue explains.... more »

• State seeking education grants

  May 25, 2011 11:37 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado's governor says state educators have "every intention" of seeking new education grants announced Wednesday by the federal government. The $500 million grant competition announced Wednesday aims to do away with an uncoordinated system of preschool programs. Colorado and eight other states that unsuccessfully sought grants through... more »

• State Senator wants to raise taxes for education

  May 16, 2011 1:00 PM

  DENVER (AP) - A state senator is launching a campaign to raise taxes to prevent further budget cuts for Colorado schools and colleges. Sen. Rollie Heath will officially start the effort Monday at the state Capitol. The proposal would raise the income and sales tax rates between 2012 and... more »

• Space Foundation offers free teacher classes in Pueblo

  May 16, 2011 11:12 AM

  The Space Foundation is taking applications for a free one-week teacher training class on how to use space themes to teach science, technology, engineering and math. The Lunar/Mars Exploration and Base Construction course is being offered to teachers in the Pueblo are and will be held June 27 -... more »

• Finalist named in education commissioner search

  May 3, 2011 3:51 PM

  DENVER (AP) - The state board of education has narrowed down their search for the next education commissioner to one person. The Denver Post reported Tuesday that Robert Hammond has been named as the sole finalist. Hammond has been filling in as commissioner since December when former commissioner Dwight Jones... more »

• TSA to partner with Pikes Peak Community College

  April 29, 2011 2:49 PM

  The Transportation Security Administration will collaborate with Pike Peak Community College to train employees in security fields. PPCC will offer a Homeland Security Certificate as well as a two-year degree in Homeland Security. The partnership was announced today. more »

• Lt. governor outlines Colorado education goals

  April 28, 2011 5:55 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia has outlined three broad priorities for the state Department of Higher Education, which he also heads. Garcia said Thursday the top goals are implementing a 2010 state law designed to ensure teacher effectiveness, getting the public involved in a third-grade reading... more »

• Update: District 49 to cut nearly 150 jobs

  April 28, 2011 1:14 AM

  Wednesday proved to be a tough night for everyone involved in Falcon School District 49. The school board voted to eliminate nearly 150 jobs district wide. As part of financial shortfalls, the district had to cut about $11,000,000 from its 2011-2012 operating budget. The biggest cuts come in the form... more »

• D-49 may cut jobs, salaries tonight

  April 27, 2011 7:04 PM

  The Falcon School District 49 is set to potenitally slash jobs and salaries at a special meeting tonight a6 6pm at Falcon High School. These potential cuts come after D-29 declared a financial emergency earlier this month. News FIrst 5 will be at the meeting with a live report tonight... more »

• Lawmakers try to restore some education funding

  April 21, 2011 12:23 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado House lawmakers will debate a deal that would add another $90 million to school districts that have been the target of massive cuts. Lawmakers say the proposal to be presented Thursday is possible because preliminary revenue forecasts are higher than expected. House Democratic Leader... more »

• Turkey hunting is hot

  March 23, 2011 7:05 PM

  Turkey hunting is the fastest-growing form of hunting in the country according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department. Since 1991, participation in turkey hunting has increased at a rate double that of population growth in the United States. The Colorado Division of Wildlife will host a wild turkey hunting... more »

• Budget deficit looming as legislators gear up for the second half

  March 19, 2011 8:04 PM

  Legislators have known since heading to the Capitol in January that they'll be looking at a lot of bills, but their big job is making sure the dollars and cents add up. "The most pressing issue for this entire session is the budget," says Rep. Bob Gardner, (R) House... more »

• Negotiations continue in District 11

  February 28, 2011 7:46 PM

  Colorado Springs School District 11 released a statement this afternoon that says the School Board is disappointed with negotiations with the Colorado Springs Education Association. This is regarding the Board's proposal for opening Interest-Based Bargaining. Interest-Based Bargaining generally refers to a strategy during negotiations which focuses on mutually... more »

• Fourth grade teacher channels excitement into learning

  February 23, 2011 2:32 PM

  Holly Corsentino makes sure her students start each day with a handshake and a smile. The 4th grade teacher at Beulah Heights Elementary in Pueblo recognizes that kids naturally get excited about things, and tries to channel that into excitement into learning. "Anybody that's had the good fortune of... more »

• Dogs in the library

  February 11, 2011 1:17 AM

  The Pikes Peak Library District opens its doors to the dogs, and children absolutely love it. Inside the library, a special program called Paws to Read encourages kids to speak aloud, and for one girl, this was her first time. You would not know by the look of her... more »

• D-2 closes school

  February 6, 2011 1:11 AM

  Harrison School District 2 will shut the doors to 54-year-old Chamberlin Academy this fall in an attempt to save money. Due to declining enrollment, the district had to make changes. One of which was to move to a year-round academic year; however, that change did not boost enrollment numbers as... more »

• Colorado scores slightly above average in science

  January 26, 2011 7:23 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado students scored slightly higher than the national average on an exam that showed less than half the students nationwide were considered proficient in science. Test results released Tuesday show that 39 percent of Colorado fourth-graders scored proficient or above in 2009, compared with 32 percent... more »

• PE teacher gives lessons on living healthy

  January 18, 2011 3:53 PM

  Many of our lifestyle habits take shape while we're still young. Pine Creek High School physical education teacher Shelley Lockwood wants to make sure the habits her student develop are healthy ones. Growing up with four brothers, Lockwood has had a passion for sports since her early years. Today... more »

• Input invited on next Education Commissioner

  January 14, 2011 6:42 PM

  The State Board of Education is looking for help in selecting a new commissioner of education for Colorado. The public is invited to take a survey online to determine what values a new commissioner should have. Click here to take the survey. The survey will be posted... more »

• Sen. Bennet: Education is a civil right

  January 14, 2011 10:08 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet is continuing his emphasis on education during a speech to mark the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Bennet says he'll talk about schools Friday at the annual Business Social Responsibility Awards Luncheon in Denver. The luncheon honors the slain civil rights leader.... more »

• Las Vegas workforce said to be least educated

  January 7, 2011 3:04 PM

  LAS VEGAS (AP) - A sociology professor studying Nevada's economy says Las Vegas is the least educated major metropolitan area in the West. Robert Lang says roughly 19 percent of Las Vegans obtain a bachelor's degree, compared to 31 percent of people in northern New Mexico and 27 percent... more »

• Boulder increasing immigrant outreach in 2011

  December 30, 2010 10:31 AM

  BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - The city of Boulder is expanding its efforts to educate immigrants about government, city services, and how to become a U.S. citizen. The city will increase its efforts in 2011 to reach immigrants in conjunction with a project from the National League of Cities. The... more »

• Retired judge to head Hispanic foundation

  December 17, 2010 2:53 PM

  Retired Judge Joe Ulibarri will head the Pueblo Hispanic Education Foundation for six months beginning in January. "Judge Joe brings our organization the credibility it has always deserved along with a sense of comfort to our donors that we are in good hands," said Dalton Sprouse, PHEF Board President.... more »

• Colorado schools get new report cards

  December 9, 2010 2:38 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado schools are getting their first report cards under new performance standards approved by lawmakers last year. Under the program, 111 school districts were rated as accredited or higher. Only 14 got a higher rating of accredited with distinction. Gov. Bill Ritter says the new reports... more »

• Amazing teens show off work

  December 6, 2010 1:42 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Two high school students inspired by the science fiction movie "I, Robot" have won a $100,000 grand prize in a competition honoring the nation's top math and science students. The Siemens Competition announced the winners of its college scholarships Monday during a ceremony at George Washington... more »

• New training urged for teachers

  November 16, 2010 2:00 PM

  A national panel composed of education experts and critics calls for teacher education to be "turned upside down" by revamping programs to place "clinical practice" at the center of teacher preparation, not unlike the medical profession. That and other sweeping recommendations are included by a Blue Ribbon Panel on... more »

• Colorado Education Commissioner accepts Nevada job

  September 30, 2010 11:21 AM

  Colorado Department of Education Commissioner Dwight Jones has accepted a job offer in Nevada, as the superintendent of Clark County Schools, which includes Las Vegas. Jones iszsued this statement Thursday morning, I sincerely appreciate this opportunity to work with Clark County School District to improve student achievement. I am... more »

• Colorado education commissioner picked for Nevada job

  September 30, 2010 8:29 AM

  Colorado Education Commissioner Dwight Jones has been chosen as the new superintendent of the school district that includes Las Vegas. KTNV-TV in Las Vegas reports that the Clark County School District voted 6-1 Wednesday to select Jones to head the district that is the nation's fifth-largest. Jones has to... more »