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I see the educational system in
this country as the only institution capable of influencing
successive generations of children. Certainly familial
influence is key to shaping a child's behaviors and norms, but
the school environment plays a huge role as well. Peer
pressure and non-familial adult role models bend and shape what
a child learns at home. For children without strong family
roots, school can supply the majority of modeling.
Educational institutions are responsible for preparing
this country's workforce. Our entire economy relies on a
properly skilled, educated, innovative and motivated workforce.
Without it, we become a second class country on the global scene
and our standard of living will drop like a rock.
For these reasons, I feel that it is critical for everyone to
take an interest in and work to improve the educational
institutions, both public and private, in this country. We
need to understand the issues, apply thoughtful consideration,
deep thinking and good judgment to come up with the best
solutions.
Led by Governor Bill Ritter, Senate President Pro-tem Peter
Groff and House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, Colorado is embarking
on a process to reform Pre-school to PhD education in the state,
from the ground up, if necessary. A part of this process
started on Monday April 5th, 2007, at East High School, with a
town meeting featuring Senator Groff, Speaker Romanoff and a
representative from Governor Ritter's office. Excerpts
from this meeting can be heard at Great Education Colorado
website (www.greateducation.org).
This is an exciting time in the history of education in
Colorado. I encourage everyone to participate by attending
these events when they occur near you and especially to post
your comments to the Conversation with Colorado
blog. If you have never blogged before, don't worry.
It's just like sending an e-mail to the world. Just follow
this
link to the blog, read what others have said and then either
click on "reply" to reply to a specific posting, or click on
"post" at the bottom of the site to post a new topic. You
will be asked to select a username and password. It's
free.
If you have any questions,
send me an e-mail.
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