Insider Insights

Friends and families are great for when you need advice about some things, but do you ever wish there was an outside expert you could call to talk through decisions and get advice on your child’s educational journey? 

Future Ready Families brings the insights of experts to you, empowering you to take control of your children’s education. A collection of thought-provoking articles and useful pieces of advice provides you with real-time and relevant perspectives to help you confidently navigate decisions regarding your child’s education.

In the News

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Yes, I’m Anxious About Back to School But Not Because of COVID | Working Mother

Working Mother. Here are four schooling trends parents should watch out for.

Colorado student enrollment plunged during the pandemic—especially younger grades—stoking fears for the future

The Gazette. Colorado's 35,000 missing students a shock to the educational system.

9 lessons from our bizarre pandemic year

5280.com From our healthcare system to doomscrolling, here are some of the tough lessons Coloradans learned since the novel coronavirus showed up last year—and how they’ll affect how our state operates moving forward.

One barrier to internet access has fallen, but Colorado education leaders say the divide remains too large

Chalkbeat Colorado. Despite significant efforts to close the digital divide, Colorado education leaders say that tens of thousands of students lack reliable internet access as districts prepare for an uncertain fall semester.

Podcasts

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How Will the Pandemic Affect Gen Z in the Workplace?

Linda Nazareth. The school year is starting and the pandemic is not ending and Generation Z will have to deal with that. In fact, they will probably have to deal with the impact of the pandemic for years as the effects of it shape the way that they approach their lives and careers. But never mind the future: right now their parents are trying to figure out how to configure their own work with the educational needs of their children. It is a work in progress.

A Collaboration of the Colorado School of Public Health and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science: COVID-19 Education’s New Normal

The Institute for Science & Policy. COVID-19 has profoundly reshaped education, from K-12 all the way up to colleges and universities. Many of the challenges have been numerous and well-publicized: children struggling to keep up with virtual learning, parents juggling childcare with their own jobs, teachers wary to return to classrooms until vaccines quell the virus. The central role that schools play in our society has perhaps never been in greater focus. Yet the pandemic may offer unexpected opportunities as well, ushering in new tools and structures that could help schools emerge stronger on the other side, better prepared to help their students develop both in person and online.

Innovations in Education

Suburban Folk. My guest is Rebecca Holmes, CEO of the Colorado Education Initiative. We discuss the challenges facing schools this year during the lockdown, enhancements to the education system, and ways in which parents, teachers and administrators can collaborate together for more effective education. We work through the logistic challenges for working parents, changing the expectations and goals for teachers in the classroom and encourage problem-solving and collaboration by students.

Webinars

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Innovation of Local Accountability

Colorado Education Initiative. Rebecca Holmes and Elliott Asp facilitate this presentation featuring:

-Lisa Medler, Colorado Department of Education

-Amber Whetstine, District 49

-Matt Lopez and Heather McGillivary, Jefferson County Schools

Aurora Institute 2020 National Policy Forum Panel

Aurora Institute 2020 National Policy Forum. Courageous and visionary policy actions are needed to advance the transformation of teaching and learning in K-12 education. Each year, we convene state policymakers, advocates, funders, system and school leaders, and educators for an intensive exploration of education policy trends and possibilities. Together, we grapple with issues driving the entry into and deepening of student-centered learning models, learn from states leading the way, and make time for targeted connection among education decision-makers. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we convened the 2020 National Policy Forum virtually with more than 100 education leaders and policy decision-makers.

Books & Websites

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Interviews with Rebecca Holmes

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Interview: Colorado education leaders to help fix student ‘digital divide’

KOA News Radio. Rebecca Holmes president and CEO of the Colorado Education Initiative.