The proliferation of school models and governance structures in Colorado over the past couple of years is baffling even to the most seasoned veterans of school reform waves. Now, a consortium of foundations and non-profits (some of which fund this website) have produced a handbook to help other school districts, and individual schools, differentiate among the different labels.
“Options for Autonomous Schools in Colorado: A Handbook for School and District Leaders,” includes detailed explanations of “state routes” to autonomy. This section includes information on how charter schools and innovation schools (both canonized in state law) get authorized and funded. Another section looks at “district routes” to autonomy, focusing on Aurora’s Pilot Schools and Denver Performance Schools.
Colorado has become a leader in creating models for autonomous schools of various stripes. If this handbook helps spread the autonomy fever to other parts of the state, all the better.
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