Erica Meltzer
Chalkbeat Colorado
Denver, CO, United States
Contact Erica
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Past articles by Erica:
Where candidates for Denver mayor stand on education issues: an election guide
What role should the mayor play in improving Denver schools? Chalkbeat asked Denver mayoral candidates this and other questions. Read what they had to say. → Read More
Math scores dropped during the pandemic. Colorado plans to invest in tutoring, teacher training.
Colorado lawmakers want to reach 50,000 students with after-school math tutoring. The proposal also calls for voluntary teacher training and more resources for parents. → Read More
Judge: Denver school board member doesn’t have grounds for restraining order against critic
A judge ruled Denver school board Vice President Auon’tai Anderson didn’t have enough evidence to merit a permanent restraining order against activist Brandon Pryor. → Read More
Poll: Majority of Colorado voters support targeted education savings accounts
Ready Colorado asked voters if they would support parents getting $1,200 in an education savings account to pay for special education needs outside school. Two-thirds of respondents said yes. → Read More
9,000 children don’t show up in Colorado school data. Are they missing or in private school?
A new analysis can’t account for thousands of students who have disappeared from the data since the start of the pandemic. → Read More
Bill would let Colorado schools sue State Board of Ed over accountability decisions
The Colorado Board of Education can step in after schools report many years in a row of low test scores. A bill would allow school districts to sue to stop these interventions. → Read More
Colorado school finance committee backs special ed increase, won’t vote on new formula
A proposed bill would increase special education funding to meet promises Colorado lawmakers made in 2006. School districts would still bear most of the cost. → Read More
Denver school board member obtains restraining order against district critic
Board Vice President Auon’tai Anderson says an argument between him and Brandon Pryor at his workplace crossed the line into threats, a claim Pryor disputes. → Read More
Overworked, underpaid, under attack: Survey shows Colorado teacher challenges
Staffing shortages and overheated political rhetoric are making teachers’ jobs harder. The vast majority of LGBTQ educators don’t feel safe to be out at school, a Colorado Education Association member survey found. → Read More
Former Pueblo charter leader Stephen Varela appointed to State Board of Education
Republican Stephen Varela replaces Joyce Rankin on the Colorado State Board of Education. He previously was board president of Chavez Huerta Preparatory Academy. → Read More
Gov. Jared Polis promises to fully fund Colorado schools within four years
In his 2023 State of the State speech, Gov. Jared Polis said he has a plan to increase funding for Colorado K-12 schools while also making living in Colorado more affordable. → Read More
Two Democratic lawmakers propose ending TABOR refunds to fund Colorado schools
Voters could be asked to forgo future TABOR refunds. A Democratic proposal asks to send some Colorado revenue exceeding constitutional caps to K-12 schools. → Read More
Colorado State Board of Ed expands Democratic majority, picks new chair
Rebecca McClellan is the new chair of the Colorado State Board of Education. One of the board’s first jobs will be hiring a new education commissioner. → Read More
Here are first education bills Colorado lawmakers filed during the 2023 legislative session
The first days of the 2023 Colorado legislative session included bills addressing teacher and counselor shortages, student mental health needs, and helping adults get diplomas. → Read More
First day: Colorado lawmakers pledge ‘thoughtful’ school funding debate amid budget constraints
Colorado lawmakers kicked off the 2023 General Assembly legislative session with promises to invest in education and address affordability, despite a tight budget. → Read More
2023 Colorado General Assembly: The people’s guide to following education issues
Who’s on the education committees? Where can I find bills? We’ve got all the information you need to keep track of Colorado education issues during the 2023 legislative session. → Read More
2022 in review: The year’s top Colorado education stories
The omicron surge, social studies standards, school closures, universal preschool, and school board dysfunction — 2022 was an eventful year in Colorado education. → Read More
Seven issues we’re watching in the 2023 Colorado legislative session
Colorado lawmakers will debate numerous education topics in 2023 including school finance, a school accountability overhaul, math instruction, and school budgets. → Read More
You’re invited: Chalkbeat’s 2023 Legislative Preview
RSVP today to learn about a potential rewrite of school funding, student discipline and school safety, and more during our event on Jan. 5. → Read More
Colorado Education Commissioner Katy Anthes stepping down this summer
Colorado Education Commissioner Katy Anthes developed a reputation as a careful consensus builder. She’ll step aside in July 2023. → Read More