Lt. Gov. O’Brien Cites Colorado as Model for Federal Education Changes

Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien today testified at the Aspen Institute’s hearing on Teacher Effectiveness and Leadership Development and stated that Colorado ’s education reform efforts could provide a model for changes in the reauthorization of the federal No Child Left Behind legislation.



The Aspen Institute’s Commission on No Child Left Behind holds public hearings around the country where “exciting and effective ideas” are happening in education. Today’s hearing was held in the Colorado State Capitol’s Old Supreme Court Chambers. The commission members will formulate recommendations to improve the legislation.

“Since Gov. Ritter and I were elected in 2007, we have shifted the state’s definition of education to include outputs like student performance, achievement, results that matter, and flexibility that works at the state and local levels,” said Lt. Gov. O’Brien.

Today’s hearing focused on teacher effectiveness and leadership development for principals. Both are key elements in Colorado ’s Race to the Top proposal, which is being spearheaded by Lt. Gov. O’Brien. She emphasized that Colorado has maintained flexibility by setting statewide outcomes and standards, giving local school districts control over implementation.

Lt. Gov. O’Brien cited several key Colorado education reforms enacted since 2007, including alternative licensing of educators, alternative compensation models, creation of internationally-benchmarked standards, data systems to track student achievement and teacher effectiveness, a growth model for student performance and the creation of innovation schools. The growth model and innovation schools legislation have been modeled in several other states.