Author: Steve Schuck
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PERSPECTIVE: A windfall for Colorado’s schoolchildren
Coloradans believe in opportunity and justice. Coloradans believe that hard work should be rewarded, that freedom matters, and that every child — regardless of background and circumstance — deserves the chance to rise as far as talent and effort will carry them. And yet, for thousands of low-income children in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and communities across our state, opportunity is too often constrained not by…
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GUEST COLUMN: You’ve got to be “freakin” kidding!
The Gazette’s lead headline on the top of the front-page on August 21 was, “Students Continue Learning Recovery”. Recovery? Returning to pre-Covid statewide failure rates of 60% to 70% is no reason to celebrate. Only 30 percent of Colorado’s students could read, write, add, and subtract at grade level before Covid and now we consider…
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GUEST COLUMN: It’s time parents demand academic results
A call to Denver parents, spiritual leaders, civic activists, business leaders, average tax paying citizens. Are you aware that 75% of the Black and brown children in your schools cannot read, write, add and subtract at grade level (see attached report card)? Are you assuming that your DPS Board of Education members are focused on…
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Use the Espinoza ruling to liberate children
While the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Espinoza v. Montana case is a real game-changer, the battle is not yet over. Yes, victims trapped in failing schools just scored a touchdown. But their opponents are still on the field, pushing hard against educational freedom and opportunity, continuing their unconscionable fight against poor, minority, inner-city…
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GUEST COLUMN: Colorado teachers union’s misguided response to the coronavirus
COVID-19 and the pandemic it has created have been brutal on everyone, but especially those with the fewest resources. Countless innocent, low-wage earning Coloradans have lost their jobs, and if that isn’t bad enough, they face the additional stress of an uncertain future. Tragically, the poorest among us are suffering the most. All their schools…
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GUEST COLUMN: Public education must embrace innovation
Remember the Edsel? New Coke? Sears? Howard Johnson? TWA? Newsweek? How about Microsoft, Apple, Uber, Amazon, Chick-fil-A? All were icons — some still are, some are gone. Who decided who should and should not survive? How could some enterprise be everyone’s favorite ubiquitous darling and then, with seemingly minimal explanation, be gone; replaced with a…
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GUEST COLUMN: Providing the best education for all children
How interesting — no, how ugly — were the teachers unions’ pro-Cary Kennedy attack ads during the Democratic primary against Michael Johnston and even Jared Polis. Their crime? They dared to discuss parental choice in education. Middle- and upper-income parents who are dissatisfied with the public school to which their children are assigned have the…
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Point/counterpoint: Should Colorado Springs Utilities increase its payments to the city?
Should Colorado Springs Utilities increase its payments to the city? Steve Durham Mayor John Suthers has asked the City Council to increase the payment made by your consumer-owned utility to the city of Colorado Springs general fund. This so-called payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) is justified by its supporters as the payment that the…
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Point/Counterpoint: Does the business community have the right amount of influence on local politics?
Steve Schuck Quality of life for individuals begins with a good job! Quality of life for a community begins with a good economy! Both depend on a healthy and thriving business climate attractive to small and large employers alike. No one better understands what it takes to create and sustain the political conditions necessary for…
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GUEST COLUMN: School choice expands educational freedom and opportunity
As one of those education charterizers, voucherizers and privatizers who Michael Merrifield said “belongs in a special place in hell,” let me respond to his attack on Betsy DeVos, President Donald Trump’s nomination to be the next secretary of education, in last Wednesday’s Gazette. It has been my privilege to work with Betsy as she,…