DENVER \u2013 Education advocates in Colorado are moving beyond policy briefs and fact sheets: \u201cThe Colorado School Experience,\u201d a new video project, launched this week.<\/p>\n
According to Great Education Colorado, the group spearheading the effort, if legislators and voters could see how budget cuts impact the state\u2019s students and families, they might be moved to do more about it.<\/p>\n
Jefferson County parent Katie Winner was one of the first to tell her story on video.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just don\u2019t think it\u2019s fair \u2026 that a school\u2019s resources depends on how much money the students and parents can fundraise,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019d rather have my son being a kid, working on his homework, instead of selling wrapping paper and cookie dough.\u201d<\/p>\n
The project aims to produce a series of short documentaries focusing on schools that have to raise money for basics and items such as computers. The group says the videos also will draw attention to a lack of services for children with special needs.<\/p>\n
Colorado received a failing grade on a recent report card from the Education Law Center for investing just 2.8 percent of its Gross State Product in education. The state\u2019s per-pupil spending is more than $2,000 below the national average.<\/p>\n
Winner said she thought she had done her research before relocating to Colorado two years ago and has been surprised by what she found, \u201ccoming here and just realizing that what in one state is a right can be a privilege in Colorado.<\/p>\n
\u201cI assumed that I would be able to enroll my son successfully in preschool, and I was shocked to find out that many areas have waiting lists,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Colorado\u2019s teachers are \u201cworking miracles\u201d despite lack of funding, Winner said, adding that she\u2019s looking forward to what they can accomplish with sufficient resources.<\/p>\n
Great Education Colorado launched a crowdfunding campaign to help produce the stories to distribute to television outlets and social media.<\/p>\n
Great Education Colorado: GreatEducation.org.
\n The Education Law Center report card: schoolfundingfairness.org.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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