Education

For the last three months, A Line of Sight has focused on the education and the reforms necessary to give our kids a fighting chance at a good learning experience, and thus a hope for all the blessings and opportunities of our great nation. The path to the American Dream in large part begins with a quality education.

We invited many guest commentaries on the subject, and not surprisingly, the unifying message from them was that "choice is what will fill our kids’ schools in the future" as Charlotte Ciancio, Superintendent of Mapleton Public Schools says.

It is no surprise to us that homeschooling and charter schools are rapidly gaining support in Colorado. Both environments combine the magic triangle of learning (student-teacher-parent) in a very healthy environment. It is also not surprising that those who feel their power based threatened of the status quo threatened have pushed back harshly -- namely the teacher's unions and their elected supporters.

It's hard to hide the truth, however, and the Tuesday, September 18, 2007 Rocky Mountain News contains more of the evidence.

Featuring the great success being achieved at West Denver Prep and KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy, both in the heavily Hispanic, and predominantly low-income section of Denver Public Schools, the RMN chronicles the tremendous success achieved with an attitude of "yes, we can do better." It's another encouraging story that we commit to your attention.

Significant within this story, is the open support and encouragement for high standards, greater expectations, and the means to achieve them by the Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, Michael Bennett. Bennett, we believe, is a true believer that we can do better and is committed to breaking down barriers where necessary to get the job done on behalf of the kids.

Amid all of the challenges that remain and the bad news, there are numerous reasons to hope.