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The Keystone Policy Center today announced the release of a comprehensive report analyzing the academic performance of charter schools across Colorado. The report, titled “Colorado Charter Schools Performance Report,” provides a detailed examination of charter schools’ impact on student learning, particularly focusing on traditionally underserved populations and high-needs areas.
“This report continues Keystone Policy Center’s ongoing commitment to analytically assess our education system to inform policymakers where our schools are advancing educational equity and excellence in Colorado,” said Van Schoales, senior policy director at Keystone Policy Center. “It is essential that we study and replicate all successful practices, whether they originate from charter schools or district-run schools, to ensure every student in Colorado has access to a high-quality education.”
As Colorado continues to recover from the educational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this report highlights key insights into the recovery of academic performance of students who attend charter schools. The findings indicate that charter schools in Colorado are slightly outperforming district-run schools in academic outcomes and student growth.
Key highlights from the report include:
- Higher Proficiency Rates: Charter schools have a 3-5 percentage point advantage over non-charter schools in literacy proficiency rates across elementary and middle schools.
- Stronger Student Growth: Charter schools demonstrate higher year-over-year student growth, especially among low-income, English language learners, and students with disabilities.
- Superior High School Performance: Charter high school students outperform their non-charter peers in both PSAT and SAT literacy and math scores.
- Improved Outcomes in High-needs Areas: Charter schools provide greater access to high-quality education in areas with limited educational options, with more students attending “Performance” rated schools.
The report calls for continued investment in and study of successful strategies to scale these practices statewide, ultimately aiming to close achievement gaps and improve educational outcomes for all Colorado students.
Effective March 1, 2025, Thomas J. Vilsack, former United States Secretary of Agriculture and Governor of Iowa, became the first Chief Executive Officer for the World Food Prize Foundation. In this new role, Governor Vilsack is focusing on expanding the Foundation’s global network, and will further position the Foundation as a leader in addressing global food and nutrition insecurity, continuing his lifetime of public service.
Shelby Coffey III is a distinguished journalist, media executive, and thought leader whose career has helped shape the landscape of American news and public discourse. Over several decades, Coffey has held some of the most influential roles in journalism, including serving as editor of the Los Angeles Times, executive vice president of ABC News, and deputy managing editor of The Washington Post. His editorial leadership extended to key roles as president of CNN Financial News, editor of the Dallas Times Herald, and U.S. News & World Report.
Jerry Steiner has spent 40 years involved in agriculture following growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm. He began his career with Monsanto, in multiple business leadership roles. From 2003-2013 he served as a member of the Executive team, as the company’s Executive Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs. He led the company’s global Government, Public and Industry Affairs teams across the 70 countries where Monsanto conducts business. This experience got Jerry connected to the Keystones centers work in agriculture. Key among his responsibilities were shaping the company’s public policy and building partnerships aimed at helping farmers around the world produce more food, while conserving valuable resources like water and energy. Two unique partnership that developed under his leadership were drought tolerant corn with 5 African countries, CIMMYT and the Gates foundation, and a building a sustainable business model in Brazil with the value chain leading to significant multi-company investment and soybean varieties that can protected themselves.
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Congressman Joe Neguse represents Colorado’s 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected to his first term in November 2018, becoming the first Black Member of Congress in Colorado history. In December 2022, Rep. Neguse was elected by his colleagues to serve as Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), becoming the first Coloradan to serve in a senior elected leadership role in the House in over 85 years. He serves on the Natural Resources and Judiciary Committees, and was also appointed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to serve as one of four Democrats on the prestigious Rules Committee. Rep. Neguse serves as Ranking Member on the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands, which he previously Chaired in the 117th Congress.
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Steven Williams is the Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo North America, overseeing a more than $48 billion business that spans PepsiCo’s Foods and Beverage operating units. His leadership encompasses more than 125,000 associates and over 900 locations across the U.S. and Canada. Steven joined PepsiCo in 2001 as part of PepsiCo’s acquisition of the Quaker Oats Company, which he joined in 1997, and has held leadership positions of increased responsibility since.