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Colorado's support of education unacceptable!
Contributed by: Joe Marquez on 10/5/2006

Colorado's Status As Third Poorest Funder of Education in the Nation is Unacceptable Says Legislative Candidate for Colorado House District 37
Education Endorses Engel

According to recent U.S. Census data analyzed by Great Education Colorado, a grassroots pro-education-funding organization, Colorado is the third poorest funder of public K-12 education, on the basis of per-student funding, in the nation.

"This is unacceptable," exclaims House District 37 candidate Angela Engel. "How we provide for our children today will determine Colorado's future.

Engel who has 15-years experience as a teacher, administrator, staff-development trainer and education policy analyst is endorsed by COPOPS, a parent's group devoted to protecting the resources necessary to provide a quality education for all of Colorado's children. She is also endorsed by school administrators, school board members, and teachers throughout Colorado.

"Angela Engel has a sincere concern for children, not only hers, but for all of our children," says Kelly Perez, PTO President, 2003-2006. She is remarkably intelligent and passionate about ensuring a meaningful, challenging, and personalized education for the Children of Colorado. She is a breath of fresh air among the stuffiness."

Engel's commitment to education consists of the following priorities:
* Lowering tuition rates by allocating Referendum C dollars to Colorado's public colleges and universities.

* Ending further cuts to our schools and providing the necessary funding to reduce growing class sizes, broaden curriculum options and reward quality teachers.

* Restoring local control to our citizen-elected school boards so they can ensure educational excellence is achieved in the manner best suited to our community while guaranteeing that our values are reflected in our schools.

* Empowering parents to act in the best interest of their child regarding participation in the Colorado State Assessment Program (CSAP).

* Thoroughly analyzing Senate Bill 186, which failed to produce the results promised over the past seven years, while wasting a half billion dollars, and undermining Colorado's Constitutional provision for local school district control while further harming poorly funded schools and the children they serve.

Engel's opponent, Spencer Swalm, has the following anti-education record:

* Breaking with Governor Owens to oppose Referenda C;

* Supports further cuts to public education and wants to revoke the education funding assurances Colorado voters put in place in 2000 as a remedial plan to address Colorado's inadequate funding of education (Amendment 23).

* Supports penalizing poorly funded schools for their inability to fund quality education programs via the intrusive implementation of "No Child Left Behind" and Colorado Senate Bill 186.

* Supports the massive amount of money, resources and time being thrown at the Colorado State Assessment Program even though this initiative has failed produce successful results in its 10 years of existence.

Both of Engel's daughters attend Littleton Public Schools (LPS). "Angela Engel has given a voice to children - her commitment to quality education and protecting the future of our community is unsurpassed," comments Stan Scheer, who was superintendent of Littleton Public Schools from 1999-2006.

"District 37 has two of the best school systems in the State," said Engel and yet neither one made 'adequate yearly progress' compromising school funding and redirecting our tax dollars further away from our children." LPS met 134 out of their 135 categories and are now "on watch" under the criteria of No Child Left Behind. "Our schools are not failing our children, our policies are," remarks Engel

In a recent campaign newsletter, Swalm attacked Engel as "too extreme on education." Her response, "When you're as far to the right as Spencer Swalm, any move towards the middle is likely to be perceived as 'too extreme'."

Engel taught in both elementary and High schools in diverse communities in Colorado. She has served as school administrator, staff development trainer, and most recently in the capacity of educational policy advisor. Her extensive research and writing on improving K-12 education let to an exclusive invitation to present to the Colorado Joint Education Committee in 2006.

Further, she was the principal proponent behind 'the Parents Choice Bill' and has appeared on television and radio stations advocating for quality schools and opportunities for our children.

Her final comment, "When Spencer Swalm brings up my position on education, I consider it free advertising."

Angela Engel is a seasoned community leader, educational researcher, and legislative policy advisor, who after winning November's election will work tirelessly at the State House to bring down the cost of health care, strengthen neighborhood schools and actively promote small businesses and entrepreneurship. To see Angela debate her opponent go to www.angelalistens.org.

Click here to go to YourHub.com's Arapahoe County Election Central


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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Joe Marquez

Highlands Ranch , CO

Joe Marquez has posted 9 stories and 1 comment since joining on 9/14/2005. Joe Marquez's average story rating is 5.
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