Senate Resolution 25-009
Page 1, Line 101Concerning the necessity of school choice in Colorado.
Page 1, Line 1WHEREAS, Education is the cornerstone of a free society, and the
Page 1, Line 2ability of families to choose the best educational path for their children is a fundamental expression of liberty; and
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Page 1, Line 4WHEREAS, School choice empowers enthusiastic students,
Page 1, Line 5engaged parents, and exceptional teachers by creating an environment in
Page 1, Line 6which innovation, high achievement, and personal responsibility are not only encouraged but expected; and
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Page 1, Line 8WHEREAS, Competition among schools--whether traditional
Page 1, Line 9public, charter, private, or home-based--drives excellence, fosters
Page 1, Line 10innovation, and ensures that families are not bound by zip code to a one-size-fits-all system; and
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Page 1, Line 12WHEREAS, Innovation in the education ecosystem enables
Page 1, Line 13students to adapt to evolving workforce needs, preparing them for enduring success; and
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Page 1, Line 15WHEREAS, Choice in education encourages efficiency in the use
Page 2, Line 1of public dollars by fostering responsiveness to student needs and parent
Page 2, Line 2expectations while prioritizing classroom success over bureaucratic inertia; and
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Page 2, Line 4WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic provided many parents
Page 2, Line 5with an unprecedented window into the daily instruction, culture, and
Page 2, Line 6operations of their children's schools, leading countless families to seek
Page 2, Line 7alternative educational options that better reflect their children's individual needs; and
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Page 2, Line 9WHEREAS, Charter schools and other forms of school choice
Page 2, Line 10have seen significant growth since the pandemic, offering families
Page 2, Line 11high-quality alternatives and producing strong academic outcomes across diverse populations; and
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Page 2, Line 13WHEREAS, Despite record levels of education funding, a
Page 2, Line 14disproportionate share of resources has been absorbed by growing
Page 2, Line 15administrative overhead and non-instructional costs, thereby crowding out
Page 2, Line 16the opportunity to raise teacher salaries and directly support classroom learning; and
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Page 2, Line 18WHEREAS, Teachers--not administrators--are the frontline of
Page 2, Line 19student achievement, and we must do more to ensure that resources are directed toward rewarding and retaining high-performing educators; and
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Page 2, Line 21WHEREAS, The state of Colorado has both a moral and fiscal
Page 2, Line 22responsibility to support educational environments that foster excellence,
Page 2, Line 23elevate outcomes, and expand opportunity for every child, regardless of background or income; and
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Page 2, Line 25WHEREAS, Families deserve a full range of educational
Page 2, Line 26options--including charter schools, online programs, private and parochial
Page 2, Line 27schools, homeschooling, and open enrollment--so that they may select the best fit for their children's academic and personal growth; now, therefore,
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Page 2, Line 29Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Seventy-fifth General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
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Page 2, Line 31(1) That we affirm our strong support for the principle of school
Page 2, Line 32choice and the critical role it plays in advancing student achievement, family empowerment, and educational excellence;
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Page 3, Line 1(2) That we encourage continued policy efforts to expand access
Page 3, Line 2to high-quality educational options, particularly for low-income families and underserved communities, so that all children can flourish;
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Page 3, Line 4(3) That we call on the state to prioritize funding models that
Page 3, Line 5reward success, promote innovation, and deliver resources where they matter most; and
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Page 3, Line 7(4) That we urge our colleagues and education leaders across the
Page 3, Line 8state to recognize and reinforce the role of enthusiastic students, engaged
Page 3, Line 9parents, and exceptional teachers in shaping the future of education in Colorado.