More funding is necessary to continue increase seen in CMAS scores.
I’ve heard it thousands of times over the past 20 years: “More money doesn’t mean better education.”
That cliche never was and still isn’t true. Decades of research have demonstrated that increased funding for public schools does indeed result in improved academic achievement and lifetime earnings, especially for low-income students.
The Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) most recent test scores demonstrate the urgency to sufficiently allocate resources to continue improving educational outcomes for students:
“Colorado students’ performance in math and literacy is starting to rebound to levels not seen since before the coronavirus pandemic shuttered schools three years ago, according to new data released by the state Department of Education Thursday.”
Colorado still has a long way to go to ensure that ALL students graduate ready to thrive AND this rebound is noteworthy. The improvement is a testament to the educators and counselors who persisted through three of the most challenging and turbulent years that the American public school system has ever experienced. In addition, the significant national investment made through ESSER — the federal pandemic relief and recovery program— also largely provided critical resources and funding to school communities.
Impact of ESSER Dollars
I can hear the cynics: “ESSER dollars were dumped into schools and we have no idea how they were spent.” Also not true. Thanks to the work of the Colorado School Finance Project, you can view exactly how ESSER dollars were spent in your district.
ESSER funds made it possible to retain more adults — teachers, specialists, counselors, and paraprofessionals — in our public schools over the past three years. Colorado students have benefited, not just academically, but in social and emotional wellness as well.
It is evident that well-targeted resources improve student outcomes, and we’ve got to double down on our efforts to find an adequate and sustainable source of revenue for our schools. Colorado’s per pupil funding remains thousands of dollars below the national average, and the sustainment of ESSER funds is not guaranteed.
Our students cannot afford to fall behind again.
Lise Weil Executive Director