It’s Friday again, my friends, and that means it’s time for a more colorful look at education policy as we head into the weekend. I really wanted to highlight the American Federation for Children’s “Education Revolution” video, which was released a couple months ago but only just made it to my desk. But you’ll have to watch that on your own. We have colorful interactive maps to play with!

The Center for Education Reform (CER) recently released its 2015 Parent Power Index. It is absolutely stuffed with colorful, clickable goodies that are entirely too much fun to be considered education policy. But I’ll leave you to play with the report on your own time. We have important business to discuss!

If you’ll remember, Colorado came in 12^th in the country last year, which was a very slight improvement from 13^th in 2013. At the time, CER described Colorado this way:

Parents here are an active lot but have often been rebuffed at the legislative level when trying to expand their choices. That said, there is a strong charter law here. Many elements of digital learning are offered. The citizens of Colorado get to vote in school board elections when they go to the polls for other races. That fact, plus teacher quality measured at average levels, puts the Centennial State higher than average on giving parents power, but not high enough to put it in the top ten.

Not an unfair description. Colorado does have strong public school choice laws, a strong accountability system despite serious efforts to dismantle the system instead of working to improve it, and a very high level of transparency in education. What we don’t have is a lot of progress. To drive that point home, CER describes Colorado this way in 2015:

Parents here are an active lot but have often been rebuffed at the legislative level when trying to expand their choices. That said, there is a strong charter law here. Many elements of digital learning are offered. The citizens of Colorado get to vote in school board elections when they go to the polls for other races. That fact, plus teacher quality measured at average levels, puts the Centennial State higher than average on giving parents power, but not high enough to put it in the top ten.

Yep. It’s identical to last year’s description. As is our state’s rank and score, standing still at 12^th and 76 percent respectively. In fact, the only readily discernible difference between last year’s report card and this year’s report card is a short statement about the regrettable Dougco voucher decision back in June.

Sure, I could chalk the lack of change up to CER being strapped for time like a certain other young education wonk I know. But I think it’s more likely evidence that they simply didn’t have much new to report, as our state continues to refuse to take the plunge into full-spectrum educational choice and the opportunities it offers. As much as I enjoy clickable maps and tasty pies… erm, pie charts… I can’t help but wish the actual information they convey were a bit more exciting.

Vouchers to religious schools may be on hold in Colorado as Dougco prepares to potentially challenge the state’s big, ugly Blaine Amendment, but a scholarship tax credit program still holds promise for Colorado kids who need help. Here’s hoping that next year we’ll see the current 69 percent choice rating jump to 100 percent.

Have a great weekend!