News on a getaway day

We know you’re itching to get away for the last long weekend of  summer, so we’ve sent the eNewsletter early to give you the chance to review what’s been a very busy week for education news.

And, if you happen to be near a computer this weekend, check in with EdNews for an update on the meeting of the Higher Education Strategic Planning Steering Committee, which is up against a deadline for polishing up the draft of its plan.

Illegal tobacco sales to youth on the rise

Colorado youth are less likely to smoke than those in most other states, but some troubling signals indicate a smoldering problem. Story

Aurora expands full-day kindergarten to all

The district is using part of a 2008 tax increase to provide full-day kindergarten to all kids in all schools this fall. Story

Mandatory reporting of educator arrests raises tough issues

The State Board of Education learned this week that ensuring parents are informed when school employees are arrested probably is more complicated than issuing a new regulation. And, there’s disagreement about whether such notification is a good idea. Story

Schools chosen for improvement grants

Turnaround plans for 19 low-performing Colorado schools have been approved by the state Department of Education. Story

Plucked from the Churn

If you’re not reading the Daily Churn, our update of education news in brief, you may have missed …

  • The interesting composition of the CU-Boulder committee assigned to come up with a replacement for the school of journalism (second item). There’s also an interesting article on Inside Higher Ed about the woes of Boulder and other J-schools.
  • Growth in the Denver Preschool Program (first item)
  • Good interest-rate news about DPS’ pension bonds and embarrassing news about a board retreat (third and fourth items)
  • Approval of 2010 Blue Book language by legislative leaders (first item)

Read the Churn on our home page every weekday and stay current.

From the blog

Upcoming

MONDAY – Used to be the last day of summer for school kids.

TUESDAY – The Douglas County board convenes at 5 p.m. at 620 Wilcox St. in Castle Rock … the Aurora board meets starting at 6 p.m. at 1085 Peoria St. in Aurora.

WEDNESDAY – The Colorado Commission on Higher Education meets at 1 p.m. at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs … the community colleges board meets at 8:30 a.m. at 9101 E. Lowry Blvd. … The Technical Advisory Committee that’s part of the Colorado Department of Education effort to develop a new testing system meets from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 45 S. Colorado Blvd.

FRIDAY – The University of Northern Colorado trustees hold their board retreat.

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