What happens when federal Title IX requirements collide with Colorado law?

In this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley and Ross Izzard unpack one of the most significant education policy disputes currently unfolding in Colorado. Using Jefferson County Public Schools (Jeffco) as a case study, they explain how Title IX has evolved since its passage in 1972, why it has become the center of intense legal and political debate, and what happens when state and federal governments interpret the law differently.

Erin and Ross explore how Title IX is enforced, why federal funding has become a key point of leverage, and whether a school district could realistically lose millions of dollars for refusing to comply with the federal government's current interpretation. They also discuss the constitutional questions surrounding federal authority, state law, and the practical challenges school districts face when caught between competing legal obligations.

Whether you're a parent, educator, student, or simply interested in education policy, this episode provides a clear, balanced overview of a rapidly developing issue that could have lasting implications for schools in Colorado and across the country.

Topics Covered:

• The history and purpose of Title IX
• How Title IX has changed over time
• Why Jeffco is under federal investigation
• Colorado law versus federal Title IX requirements
• How Title IX enforcement works
• Could a school district actually lose federal funding?
• What happens next in the legal process?

If you enjoy Learning Curve, be sure to follow the podcast and share this episode with someone interested in education, public policy, and the legal issues shaping our schools today.

The Colorado legislative session may be over, but the work of education policy is far from finished.

In this episode of Learning Curve, Ross Izzard and Erin Brantley explain what happens during the legislative interim, the often, overlooked period between sessions when state agencies, school districts, policymakers, and advocates work to interpret and implement new laws.

From changes to school finance and homeschool enrichment programs to the rulemaking process that follows major legislation, the conversation explores why some of the most important policy decisions happen after lawmakers leave the Capitol.

The discussion also examines the challenges facing the Colorado Department of Education as it works through a wave of legislative changes, the timeline for rulemaking, and how parents can stay informed about decisions that may affect their children and schools.

Just because the legislature adjourned doesn't mean the policy debates have ended. In many ways, they're only beginning.

Topics Discussed:

• What happens after the legislative session ends
• Education policy during the interim
• School finance changes and implementation
• Homeschool enrichment program updates
• Rulemaking and regulatory guidance
• How parents can follow education policy developments
• What to expect before the next legislative session

Learning Curve explores the policies, decisions, and debates shaping education in Colorado and beyond.

Mississippi's education system was once ranked near the bottom in the nation. Today, it has become one of the most discussed literacy success stories in America.

In this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley and Ross Izzard examine Mississippi's remarkable improvement in reading scores and ask what Colorado can learn from it. The discussion compares Mississippi's Literacy-Based Promotion Act with Colorado's READ Act, explores the controversial issue of third-grade retention, and looks at the challenges of improving literacy outcomes through policy alone.

The conversation also highlights the importance of parental involvement, summer learning loss, local control in education, and the difficult balance between accountability, funding, and student achievement.

If reading proficiency is one of the strongest predictors of future academic success, what should schools, parents, and policymakers be doing differently?

Join us for a thoughtful discussion on literacy, education reform, and the future of student success.

Colorado's legislative session may be over, but the debate surrounding homeschool enrichment programs is just getting started.

In this episode of Learning Curve, Ross Izzard and Erin Brantley unpack the final days of Colorado's 2026 legislative session and the last-minute amendments that dramatically altered the future of part-time funding and homeschool enrichment programs across the state.

As lawmakers rushed to finish their work before the constitutional deadline, major policy changes were adopted with little time for families, educators, and program leaders to fully understand their impact. The result is a landscape filled with uncertainty, new restrictions, unanswered questions, and an extensive rulemaking process that is only beginning.

Ross explains how the legislature's changes could affect homeschool enrichment programs, charter schools, school districts, and BOCES programs moving forward. The conversation explores new geographic restrictions, funding concerns, grandfathering provisions for existing programs, and why many families may still be waiting for answers despite the session having officially ended.

The hosts also discuss the role of the Colorado Department of Education, the upcoming rulemaking process, and why this issue is likely to remain a major education policy battle for years to come.

Whether you're a homeschool parent, educator, school leader, policymaker, or simply interested in the future of education in Colorado, this episode provides important context for understanding one of the most significant education debates of the year.

Learning Curve is Colorado's education podcast, bringing thoughtful conversations and analysis on school choice, education policy, charter schools, homeschooling, and the issues shaping opportunities for students and families across the state.

What happens when a handful of concerned parents decide they’ve had enough?

In this episode of Learning Curve, we examine the growing controversy surrounding Jefferson County Public Schools and the grassroots movement that emerged in response. As questions about leadership, accountability, student safety, and district governance continue to make headlines, parents have begun organizing, speaking out, and demanding answers.

Hosts Erin Brantley and Ross discuss how parent coalitions form, why local advocacy matters, and how community concerns can eventually influence policy discussions far beyond the school board room. They also explore the resignation of Superintendent Tracy Dorland and what it could mean for the future of Jeffco schools.

This conversation isn't just about one school district, it's about the power of citizen engagement and what can happen when ordinary people refuse to stay silent.

Learning Curve is dedicated to helping parents, educators, and community members better understand education policy and the issues shaping schools across Colorado.

Follow, subscribe, and share to stay informed on the education conversations that matter most.

Connect with Learning Curve:

Website: learningcurveco.org

Email: [email protected]

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Learning Curve is a Colorado-based podcast focused on the real conversations shaping education, parenting, school choice, public policy, and the future of learning in America.

Hosted by Ross Izzard and Erin Brantley, the show breaks down complicated education and political issues in a way that is honest, practical, engaging, and easy to understand. Whether discussing homeschool enrichment programs, public school funding, legislative battles, parental rights, charter schools, curriculum debates, or the broader cultural conversations impacting families today, Learning Curve focuses on how these decisions affect real students, parents, teachers, and communities.

The podcast was created to help parents and everyday citizens better understand what is happening behind the scenes in education policy and government. Too often, important decisions are made through complicated legislation, confusing bureaucratic language, and political narratives that leave families feeling disconnected from the process. Learning Curve aims to bridge that gap through straightforward conversation, thoughtful analysis, and real-world perspective.

Each episode combines policy insight with relatable discussion, helping listeners understand not only what is happening, but why it matters. The show covers current events, legislative updates, school choice developments, homeschool issues, budget debates, education reform, and broader social and political trends impacting children and families across Colorado and beyond.

Rather than focusing on partisan talking points, Learning Curve encourages deeper conversation, curiosity, and critical thinking about the future of education and the role families should play in shaping it.

Whether you are a parent, educator, homeschool family, policymaker, student, or simply someone trying to make sense of the rapidly changing education landscape, Learning Curve provides context, perspective, and meaningful discussion that goes beyond the headlines.

New episodes released regularly.

Subscribe and join the conversation.

In this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley and Ross Izard break down the different teaching models used in schools and why they matter for parents and students.

They discuss STEM, Core Knowledge, traditional public schools, and charter schools, explaining how each model approaches learning differently and why some students may thrive in one environment more than another.

The conversation also covers Colorado’s READ Act, literacy instruction, school choice, and the importance of parents staying informed and involved in their child’s education.

• What STEM and STEAM schools focus on
• How Core Knowledge schools teach differently
• Why teaching styles vary between schools
• How charter schools choose their curriculum
• What the READ Act means for parents
• Why reading at home is so important

Every child learns differently, and understanding how schools teach can help parents make better educational choices for their kids.

Subscribe to Learning Curve for more conversations about education, parenting, and school policy.

Colorado’s universal preschool program is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and it could have national implications.

In this episode, Ross Izzard and Erin Brantley break down the legal challenge surrounding UPK, focusing on whether the state’s requirements effectively excluded faith-based providers from participating.

They explore the constitutional issues at stake, the existing Supreme Court precedent, and why this case may already have a predictable outcome.

• How Colorado’s universal preschool program works
• Why religious schools challenged the policy
• The legal precedent shaping this case
• What this Supreme Court case could mean going forward
• Why this conflict may have been avoidable

This case isn’t just about preschool, it’s about the limits of government power and the protection of religious freedom in public programs.

Stay up to date with future episodes of Learning Curve and more discussions on education policy and law.

📧 [email protected]

Education | Law | Public Policy | Government | News & Analysis

Education funding is at an all-time high, but student outcomes aren’t keeping up.

In this episode, Erin Brantley and Ross Izard examine the disconnect between increased school spending and stagnant academic performance. With billions flowing through the system, they ask a critical question: where is the money actually going?

The conversation explores the complexity of school finance, the lack of transparency in spending, and the growing role of administrative costs. They also discuss why funding and accountability are often treated as separate issues—and what that means for students, parents, and taxpayers.

This episode offers a grounded look at one of the most important and controversial debates in education today.

Want to see where the money actually goes?

📊 Full Colorado Education Financial Data:

https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdefinance/financialdatafiles

📈 School Finance Transparency Dashboard:

https://co.schoolfinancedata.org

Are charter schools actually private schools? It’s one of the most common misconceptions in education, and in this episode of Learning Curve, Ross Izard and Erin Brantley set the record straight.

Charter schools are public, tuition-free, and open to all students, yet many families still believe they operate like elite private institutions. This episode breaks down what charter schools really are, how they function within the public education system, and why they were created in the first place.

You’ll also hear how charter schools are governed, why they have more flexibility than traditional public schools, and what it actually takes to start one, including the surprisingly complex application process.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or just trying to better understand how schools work, this episode provides a clear and practical explanation of a widely misunderstood topic.

• Why charter schools are not private schools
• Whether families pay tuition (and what fees actually exist)
• How charter schools are funded with public dollars
• What makes charter schools different from traditional district schools
• Who governs charter schools and how oversight works
• Why charter schools were originally created
• How charter schools act as “innovation labs” in education
• How parents and communities can start a charter school
• Why the charter application process is so complex
• The most common myths about charter schools

• Charter schools are public schools, not private institutions
• They are tuition-free and open to all students
• They operate independently from traditional school districts
• They were designed to encourage innovation and flexibility
• Starting a charter school is possible, but far more difficult than most people expect

00:00 Introduction

00:20 How many charter schools exist (and why that matters)

01:05 The biggest misconception: “Are they private?”

02:00 Tuition, fees, and what families actually pay

02:45 Governance: how charter schools are structured

03:20 The purpose of charter schools

03:40 Who can start a charter school

04:20 The reality of the application process

• “Charter schools are public schools.”
• “There is no tuition, they are free and open to everybody.”
• “They were designed as a place to experiment and see what works.”
• “You can’t just go start a school, you need permission.”

• Learn more about charter schools in your state
• Explore local charter school options
• Research school choice policies and frameworks

Learning Curve is a podcast exploring education, policy, and how school systems actually work, breaking down complex topics into clear, practical conversations for parents, educators, and anyone interested in the future of education.

Follow Learning Curve for more conversations on education, school choice, and policy. New episodes released regularly.