Colorado News
Four Education Bills We’re Keeping an Eye on as Colorado Legislature Reaches Halfway Point Source: The Colorado Sun Summary: State lawmakers are weighing a “BETER” act to invest $40 million in public school funds to generate $500 million for teacher housing and a bipartisan effort to trim CMAS testing hours. The package also includes Senate Bill 125, which would add legal staff to the state education department to help families enforce disability rights and curb school-level discrimination. Link: https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/16/colorado-education-bills-2026-legislative-session/
Jeffco Bathroom, Sports Policies for Transgender Students Violate Title IX, Trump Administration Finds Source: Chalkbeat Colorado Summary: A federal investigation concluded that Jefferson County Public Schools violated Title IX by allowing transgender students access to facilities and teams based on gender identity. The ruling creates an immediate conflict between federal enforcement and Colorado state protections, forcing the district to resolve the dispute within ten days or risk federal funding. Link: https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/
National News
Many US Adults are Skipping Parenting or Having Fewer Kids – and it’s Forcing Schools to Close Source: The Guardian Summary: Plummeting birth rates are leading to a national surge in school closures as districts face underenrollment and the resulting loss of per-pupil public funding. This demographic shift is forcing boards to choose between maintaining underused facilities or uprooting students, a dilemma that is increasingly hitting districts in Colorado and beyond. Link: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/16/birthrate-schools-closing
National Perspectives
Trump Administration Signals Further Dismantling of Federal Education Oversight Source: Education Week Summary: New policy signals from the U.S. Department of Education suggest a continued push to return Title I and accountability oversight to the states, encouraging local districts to seek “Ed-Flex” waivers. This shift could fundamentally change how Colorado districts report student growth and manage federal grants, moving toward a model of almost total state-level autonomy. Link: https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/the-trump-administration-has-mostly-dismantled-the-ed-dept/2026/03