Colorado's homeschool enrichment programs are facing another round of uncertainty as the state begins developing new rules governing how these programs can operate.

In this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley and Ross Izard examine two of the biggest issues emerging from the rulemaking process: general availability and private benefit.

One key question is whether homeschool enrichment programs should be allowed to offer services that aren't already available through the public school district where they operate. If the state takes a narrow approach, students in larger districts with extensive programming could have significantly more opportunities than homeschool students in smaller or rural districts.

Erin and Ross also discuss Colorado's developing interpretation of "private benefit" and what it could mean for enrichment programs that contract with outside organizations for educational services. Schools routinely use outside vendors for everything from special education and therapy to athletics and extracurricular activities, raising questions about whether part-time homeschool programs could be treated differently.

They also explain the upcoming rulemaking process, when final rules could arrive, and how Colorado parents can make their voices heard.

Colorado’s homeschool enrichment programs are facing a sudden deadline that could leave thousands of students and families in limbo.

After a major organization responsible for authorizing many of these programs was forced to dissolve, dozens of homeschool enrichment programs were thrown into uncertainty. Programs that spent hundreds of hours seeking approval were told their applications would no longer be reviewed, leaving many scrambling to find a new authorizer before a September 5 deadline.

Normally, finding a new school or district willing to authorize a program can take months. Now, some programs are being asked to accomplish it in a matter of days, all while the school year is already getting underway.

In this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley and Ross Izard break down how Colorado reached this point, why the deadline is creating so much uncertainty, and what could happen to the homeschool students and families caught in the middle.

With tens of thousands of students potentially affected, the bigger question is: how many of these programs will be able to survive?

Colorado has committed to providing free school meals to students regardless of household income, but what happens when the cost keeps growing?

Erin Brantley and Ross Izard examine Colorado’s Healthy School Meals for All program, the additional funding voters have approved, and the difficult question of how much taxpayers are ultimately willing to spend.

They also look beyond the price tag. Are students actually eating the meals? Is the food meeting parents’ expectations? And what should families be asking their schools about where the food comes from and how their nutrition programs operate?

It’s a conversation about good intentions, rising costs, accountability, and whether Colorado’s universal school meal program can remain sustainable.

Colorado has been ranked #1 in education by U.S. News & World Report, jumping from third place in 2025 to the top spot in 2026. But what exactly does a #1 education ranking measure?

In this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley and Ross Izard look beyond the headline and break down the factors behind Colorado's ranking, including preschool enrollment, college attainment and completion, graduation outcomes, and K–12 academic performance.

Erin and Ross also discuss Colorado's reading and math proficiency numbers, the relationship between education spending and student outcomes, and the difficulty of reducing something as complex as educational success to a single statewide ranking.

What should matter most when evaluating Colorado schools: rankings, test scores, funding, educational access, parent satisfaction, or something else entirely?

Hosts: Erin Brantley and Ross Izard

Most people have heard of the Colorado Department of Education, but far fewer understand the State Board of Education that oversees it.

In this episode of Learning Curve, Ross Izzard explains how the Colorado State Board of Education is structured, why its members are elected, and the significant authority the board exercises over education policy throughout the state.

From hiring the Commissioner of Education and adopting regulations that carry the force of law to overseeing charter school appeals, accountability systems, and statewide education governance, this episode offers an accessible overview of a board whose decisions affect millions of Coloradans—even if most people rarely hear about it.

If you've ever wondered who really helps shape education policy in Colorado, this episode is a great place to start.

Nearly one in four Colorado students is chronically absent from school, and the effects extend far beyond missed classroom time.

In this episode, Erin Brantley examines Colorado's chronic absenteeism rates, explains how chronic absenteeism differs from truancy, and discusses why attendance remains a major challenge years after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conversation explores the academic consequences of chronic absenteeism, the factors driving higher absence rates, Colorado's statewide attendance improvement efforts, and practical ways families and schools can work together to keep students engaged in learning.

If attendance is one of the strongest predictors of long-term academic success, what will it take for Colorado to return to pre-pandemic levels?

Colorado's gubernatorial race could have significant implications for the future of education in the state.

In this episode of Learning Curve, Ross Izard and Erin Brantley discuss what Phil Weiser's primary victory may signal for Colorado's education system. They explore the governor's role in shaping education policy, school finance, Proposition NN, TABOR, school choice, and the federal tax-credit scholarship program, while examining the challenges that could define the next administration.

The conversation also highlights why civic engagement extends beyond Election Day and how parents can continue influencing education policy at the local and state levels.

If you're looking to better understand where Colorado education may be headed, this episode provides an accessible overview of the major issues likely to dominate the conversation in the years ahead.

In this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley and Ross Izard discuss Colorado's annual School Finance Act, how the state's education funding formula works, and why declining enrollment creates difficult budgeting decisions for school districts. They also explain why schools may continue receiving funding as enrollment changes, how the current funding formula is evolving, and what parents and taxpayers should know moving forward.

This episode offers a practical overview of one of Colorado's most significant education policy issues, helping listeners better understand how student enrollment, state funding, and legislative decisions intersect.

Many parents assume education decisions come from one place, but the reality is far more layered. In this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley explains how authority is divided among the federal government, the Colorado Legislature, the State Board of Education, the Colorado Department of Education, local school districts, and individual schools.

Learn who sets academic standards, who controls funding, who adopts curriculum, and where parents can make the biggest difference when concerns arise.

Whether you're trying to understand a new policy, a curriculum change, or a decision affecting your local school, this episode provides a practical guide to navigating Colorado's education system and knowing where accountability belongs.

Topics Covered:

• Federal vs. state responsibilities
• The Colorado Legislature's role in education
• State Board of Education powers
• Colorado Department of Education responsibilities
• Local school board authority
• School-level decision making
• How parents can become more effective advocates

If you enjoy Learning Curve, be sure to follow the show so you never miss future conversations about education policy and what it means for Colorado families.

As school choice programs continue expanding across the United States, a new industry has emerged to help administer education savings accounts (ESAs), scholarship programs, and other forms of educational choice. But who manages these programs, who competes for the contracts, and what happens when hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake?

In this episode of Learning Curve, Ross Izzard and Erin Brantley examine the growing business of school choice administration. They discuss why states increasingly rely on private organizations to manage complex education programs, how competitive government contracts have become, and why lobbying and political influence are beginning to play a much larger role in the school choice movement.

Ross and Erin also explore the benefits and potential drawbacks of this emerging industry. While private organizations can provide expertise and innovation that governments often lack, the rapid growth of these programs raises important questions about transparency, accountability, competition, and ensuring families receive the services they were promised.

Whether you're interested in education policy, school choice, government contracting, or the future of K–12 education, this episode offers a thoughtful look at an issue that will likely shape education reform for years to come.