The next time you are waiting for a nurse to take care of you in doctor's office consider this: recent studies show by 2020 there will be a shortage of 340,000 registered nurses in the US. Colorado is projected to have 31 percent fewer nurses than needed unless steps are taken to remedy the situation. One of the main factors contributing to this problem is a shortage of faculty to teach in nursing programs. During the last few years colleges, hospitals and other organizations in Colorado have begun to collaborate to address this issue. Shanna Lewis reports.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:11 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Education , Health , Regional

August 14, 2007

CSU launches "Peace Corps MBA"
August 14, 2007 3:39 PM

Starting this month, graduate business students at Colorado State University will have a new option. It's informally called "the Peace Corps MBA." The idea is to give people filled with the save-the-world enthusiasm that Peace Corps volunteers have in spades with practical management experience they sometimes lack. Nancy Greenleese reports.

[LISTEN] [SLIDESHOW]

Read More --> Continue reading "CSU launches "Peace Corps MBA"" »

Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:39 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Business , Colorado , Education , Energy , Entertainment , Health , Poverty , Regional , Science

August 2, 2007

Independence Institute to Sue Over School Finace Act
August 2, 2007 6:13 PM

Opponents of a state school-finance measure are preparing a lawsuit over the plan to provide more funding for education by blocking an anticipated decline in taxes. Independence Institute president Jon Caldara says the group is also requesting campaign memos from school districts and county clerks to see if voters agreed to tax increases when they voted to give up tax surplus refunds for school funding.
[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:13 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Children & Youth , Colorado , Education , Legal , Politics

July 30, 2007

"Summer Heat" Teaches Young Women Fire Fighting Skills
July 30, 2007 12:02 PM

For girls in high school, summers can mean lots of Dawson's Creek re-runs and working on their tans. The Colorado Springs Fire Department, however, gives about 20 girls the chance to stretch themselves and gain self confidence by spending a week learning about fire fighting.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 12:02 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Children & Youth , Colorado Springs , Education , Women's Issues

July 25, 2007

Counties Want More Money to Mitigate Oil and Gas Boom
July 25, 2007 3:21 PM

There are now some three thousand active oil and gas wells in Garfield County, a number that's projected to rise to 15-thousand by 2015.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:21 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Colorado , Education , Energy , Politics , Utilities

CU Axes Churchill
July 25, 2007 2:17 PM

Two and a half years of investigation into the academic work of controversial University of Colorado Professer Ward Churchill culminated on Tuesday. Regents voted 8-1 to fire Churchill, he vows to fight the decision in court. Maeve Conran reports from Boulder.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:17 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Education , Politics

July 11, 2007

New College Admission Standards
July 11, 2007 4:15 PM

Getting into college in Colorado just got tougher. But it's not as tough as some would like it to be. In three years incoming college freshman will face stricter standards to get into college than students do today. But the state's higher education commission rolled back some of the admission requirements and didn't make the standards has tough as they could have. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:15 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Capitol Coverage , Children & Youth , Colorado , Education , Politics , Science

July 4, 2007

Romer Stumping for Education
July 4, 2007 1:52 PM

Former Colorado Governor Roy Romer touted his education agenda in front of an influential crowd Tuesday at the Aspen Institute's weeklong Ideas Festival. Romer recently left his position as superintendent of Los Angeles public schools and is trying to bring education reform to the national spotlight. Bente Birkeland reports from Aspen.

[LISTEN]

Romer made his comments as a panelist at the Aspen Ideas Festival. Learn more about the Aspen Ideas Festival [HERE]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:52 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Education , Politics

June 28, 2007

Gov. Ritter on Fighting the Feds, Education and Immigration
June 28, 2007 2:05 PM

In our monthly conversation with Governor Bill Ritter the chief executive discusses recent disagreements with federal land management agencies, meetings with leaders in higher education, and his interest in Congress' efforts to craft immigration reform legislation.

These monthly conversations are produced for, and come to us courtesy of KCFR in Denver, they're conducted by Ryan Warner, host of the KCFR program "Colorado Matters."

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:05 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Business/Labor , Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Education , Environment , Immigration , Politics

June 20, 2007

Student Loan Legislation
June 20, 2007 9:15 PM

Students are taking out an increasing amount of loans to pay for college, according to the latest figures from the College Board. Congress is now considering legislation aimed at cutting the soaring costs of higher education in Colorado and around the country. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Delaney Utterback at 9:15 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Colorado Springs , Education , Latino/a , Regional

June 12, 2007

Governor Appoints Education Council Chairs
June 12, 2007 6:33 PM

Governor Bill Ritter says too many kids in Colorado are dropping out of high school and failing to go to college. A new council is set to start work on reforming the state's education system. The Governor recently appointed three people to head the council. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:33 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Education

June 6, 2007

"Hope Is Not A Plan," Author Interview, Part 2
June 6, 2007 7:00 AM

In 2004, Air Force Major Thomas Mowle went to Iraq at the request of a general who wanted "strategic thinkers" to help evaluate decision-making.

Mowle spent a year there and, with five other similarly tasked experts, wrote a book about the expereience called "Hope Is Not A Plan."

Major Mowle is a Ph.D. political science professor at the Air Force Academy, and his book is remarkably canddid for one written by an active duty officer.

[THIS] is the second of a three-part interview with Mowle about his book. Part three airs Friday, you can listen to part one [HERE].

More about the book from its publisher, can be found [HERE]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 7:00 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Education , Ft. Carson , History , Military , Politics

May 15, 2007

Springs Super would be First Black State Education Commissioner
May 15, 2007 5:35 PM

The sole candidate for Colorado's top education job is already thinking about what legacy he would want to leave. For starters he says a kinder friendlier education department. The state's current education commissioner is retiring and often had a contentious relationship with superintendents and school boards. Lawmakers say they're hopeful the next commissioner can turn that around. Bente Birkeland reports from Colorado Springs.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:35 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Children & Youth , Colorado Springs , Education , Ft. Carson , Politics

May 2, 2007

Lawmakers Pass Property Tax Freeze
May 2, 2007 4:08 PM

Governor Ritter says he'll sign a controversial proposal that would freeze property tax rates to fund public schools. Republicans say it's a tax hike and unconstitutional unless it goes to a statewide vote. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:08 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Education

May 1, 2007

18 Cadets Leave Academy Over Cheating
May 1, 2007 7:38 PM

Eighteen cadets are leaving the Air Force Academy for cheating. The announcement comes 3 months after the school launched an investigation into a test of military knowledge given at the end of January. Academy Spokesman Johnny Whitaker:

WHITAKER: Some cadets suspected that other cadets were cheating on this particular test, so they went to their unit honor representatives, which are also cadets.

[LISTEN]

Read More --> Continue reading "18 Cadets Leave Academy Over Cheating" »

Posted by Eric Whitney at 7:38 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Education , Military

April 25, 2007

Governor Creates Education Council
April 25, 2007 4:57 PM

Nearly thirty percent of students in Colorado drop out before they graduate from high school, that's according to state figures. On Tuesday Governor Bill Ritter created a council to examine how the state can lower the drop out rate and close the achievement gap between students of different races, gender and economic backgrounds. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:57 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Children & Youth , Education

Religion in the Military Debate at Air Force Academy
April 25, 2007 8:55 AM

Air Force Academy critic Mikey Weinstein debated evangelical Lawyer Jay Sekulow at the Academy on April 24th, 2007.

Click the link below to hear the entire debate.

Wienstein, who is an academy graduate is the founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. He has sued the Academy over what he says is officially sanctioned proselytizing of non-Christian cadets. Last October a federal judge threw the suit out. Wienstein has promised to appeal.

Jay Sekulow is the Chief Counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice, originally founded by Pat Robertson. The Christian Post Newspaper has named him one of the "ten most influential kingmakers for the Republican party.

Sekulow and Weinstein debated the appropriate balance between religious freedom and official neutrality in the military.

[LISTEN]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 8:55 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Education , Legal Affairs , Military , Religion

April 23, 2007

School Finance Preview
April 23, 2007 4:14 PM

This week lawmakers will debate Governor Bill Ritter's plan to freeze property taxes to help fund public schools. Republicans call it a tax hike because property taxes are scheduled to go down next year, and even some Democrats aren't sold on the idea. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

[ LISTEN ]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:14 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Education , Politics

April 17, 2007

Governor Ritter Interview
April 17, 2007 5:20 PM

Gov. RitterIn his first 100 days in office, Governor Ritter has dealt with issues from school funding to water disputes, and union issues continue to simmer. Ritter vetoed a pro-union bill just days after taking office, and some union leaders are threatening to make a mess of next year's Democratic National Convention in Denver. He talks his first 100 days over with KCFR's Dan Meyers.

To hear the interview, [ click here ]

Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:20 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Education , Elections , Military , Politics

April 13, 2007

Graduation Standards
April 13, 2007 8:28 PM

High school students would face tougher graduation requirements under a bill that initially cleared the senate Wednesday. Colorado is one of a handful of states without minimum high school graduation standards. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

[ LISTEN ]

Posted by Delaney Utterback at 8:28 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Children & Youth , Education

March 26, 2007

Speak English or No Graduation?
March 26, 2007 3:20 PM

A bill that would forbid high school graduation for students who cannot speak English competently was given initial approval at the capitol. This came despite stiff opposition from several Democrats. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

Sorry, no transcript available.

Listen to this story here:

http://www.capcov.org/cgi-bin/showpost.cgi?367

Posted by Matthias Barker at 3:20 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Education , Politics

Wind for Schools Program Could Get State Funds
March 26, 2007 10:35 AM

KCFR's Ryan Warner talks to Tom Potter of the Golden-based National Renewable Energy Lab about Colorado's Wind for Schools Program. It's the first of its kind in the country and could get a boost if state lawmakers approve new grants. (First broadcast March 13, 2007.)

LISTEN HERE

Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:35 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Education , Energy , Environment

March 21, 2007

Gov. Bill Ritter Interview on KCFR
March 21, 2007 10:15 AM

Governor Bill Ritter joins Colorado Matters host Ryan Warner for a monthly interview to discuss key state issues, including education, health care, immigration, and the environment. Interviews will air the third or fourth week of each month, depending on the governor's schedule.

LISTEN HERE:

Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:15 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Education , Politics

February 28, 2007

Lawmakers Say NO to Abstinence
February 28, 2007 5:29 PM

Abstinence only sex education programs would be banned under a new bill in the statehouse. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.

Sorry, no transcript available, listen here.

Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:29 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Education , Politics

February 22, 2007

Energy Taxes For Colorado Schools?
February 22, 2007 11:16 AM

Lawmakers this week are considering a number of proposals aimed at mitigating the impacts of widespread oil and gas development in Colorado. The House Finance Committee unanimously passed a proposal that would use industry taxes to fund energy efficiency programs in public schools. It䴜s part of a plan to make sure Colorado gets its fair share of money from the state䴜s energy boom. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver

(No transcript available, listen here)

Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:16 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Education , Energy

December 8, 2006

COMMENTARY: SCHOOL CHOICE, BY D-11 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE JAN TANNER
December 8, 2006 6:48 PM

archivesCOMMENTARY: SCHOOL CHOICE, BY D-11 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE JAN TANNER
This Tuesday is the deadline by which voters in Colorado Springs School District 11 must return ballots in the school board recall election. Jan Tanner is a candidate for one of the seats that could be open if voters oust Eric Christen or Sandy Shakes. Earlier this week, Jan Tanner got in touch with us and asked to record a commentary for Western Skies. Our policy is to give anyone with an opinion 3 minutes of airtime, and here is Jan Tanner's commentary. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:48 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Education , Politics

December 7, 2006

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY: AN INSIDER'S VIEW
December 7, 2006 1:25 PM

archivesDEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY: AN INSIDER'S VIEW
Last summer, organizations in Colorado Springs that help people with developmental disabilities held a first-ever "awareness day." The idea was to let the community know about how many people locally need and get help with some of the tasks of daily living that most of us take for granted. Attendance was less than overwhelming, but reporter Lindsay Patterson was there, and wanted to learn more about the Springs' disabled community. In this story, Lindsay talks with people who help the disabled, and one local man who is aware of developmental disabilities every day. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:25 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Education , Health

November 29, 2006

D-11 RECALL CONFUSION
November 29, 2006 4:59 PM

archivesD-11 RECALL CONFUSION
Organizers of the recall election for two members of Colorado Springs School District 11 say voters may be confused over Eric Christen's latest promise to resign. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:59 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Education , Politics

October 20, 2006

CSU-PUEBLO'S PLAN TO RETAIN MORE HISPANIC STUDENTS
October 20, 2006 4:17 PM

archivesCSU-PUEBLO'S PLAN TO RETAIN MORE HISPANIC STUDENTS
With a large population of Hispanic students, Colorado State University Pueblo is at the forefront of efforts to see Hispanics through to graduation. The school recently got a grant for nearly $3 million to assist those efforts from the US Department of Education. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:17 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Education , Latino/a , Pueblo

September 29, 2006

COMMENTARY: WELCOME BACK RECESS
September 29, 2006 2:59 PM

archivesCOMMENTARY: WELCOME BACK RECESS
Ask any elementary school student what their favorite subject in school is, and you'll likely get consensus that it's recess. Commentator Caroline Vulgamore worries that the time honored tradition of running around on the playground appears to be threatened. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:59 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Children & Youth , Education

RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICT RAISES TAXES TO BYPASS "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND"
September 29, 2006 2:54 PM

archivesRURAL SCHOOL DISTRICT RAISES TAXES TO BYPASS "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND"
Schools in the Kit Carson district, which is out on the plains in Cheyenne County about a hundred miles east of Colorado Springs aren't adhering to the federal "No Child Left Behind" law. That means they're giving up some federal funding. The conservative, tax averse community decided they'd rather raise local taxes than comply with the law. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:54 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Education , Politics

THE 65% SOLUTION? COLORADO'S SCHOOL FUNDING BALLOT MEASURES COMPARED
September 29, 2006 2:53 PM

archivesTHE 65% SOLUTION? COLORADO'S SCHOOL FUNDING BALLOT MEASURES COMPARED
Two ballot measures this fall would require school districts to spend most of their operating budgets on classroom costs in an attempt to improve K - 12 education. But critics say the measures won't help teachers or students and could have a devastating effect on schools. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:53 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Children & Youth , Denver , Education

August 8, 2006

COMMENTARY: LET TEACHERS TEACH
August 8, 2006 9:51 AM

archivesCOMMENTARY: LET TEACHERS TEACH
The annual release of state test results spawns a lot of talk what can be done to make our schools more effective. Teacher and Western Skies commentator Eva Syrovy has these thoughts. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 9:51 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Commentary , Education

CSAP TEST RESULTS RELEASED
August 8, 2006 9:46 AM

archivesCSAP TEST RESULTS RELEASED
The state's annual school assessment tests show Colorado students scored higher in more subjects compared to last year. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 9:46 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Education

July 27, 2006

COMMENTARY: "END THE D-11 CHAOS"
July 27, 2006 9:18 AM

archivesCOMMENTARY: "END THE D-11 CHAOS"
The local joke in Colorado Springs is that if you're looking for night out filled with drama, you don't go to the theater or movie house, you head to a School District 11 board meeting. A local group calling itself "End the D-11 Chaos" is circulating petitions to recall a couple of the board's most constroversial members, in this commentary, Jessica Touchard makes the case for recall. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 9:18 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Commentary , Education

June 28, 2006

WARD CHURCHILL INTERVIEW
June 28, 2006 11:17 AM

archivesWARD CHURCHILL INTERVIEW
On Monday the University of Colorado gave Professor Ward Churchill notice that it intends to fire him. Interim Chancellor Phil Distefano said the ethnic studies professor is being let go because of shoddy research and plagiarism. He is specifically not being fired for writing an essay that landed Churchill in the national spotlight in 2005 - In that essay, Churchill compared victims of the 9-11 attacks in New York City to Nazis. In this interview recorded one week earlier, Churchill talks with KGNU's David Barsamian about how he's being treated.
[LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:17 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Education , Politics

June 21, 2006

CORKY GONZALES BIRTHDAY OBSERVANCE
June 21, 2006 11:24 AM

archivesCORKY GONZALES BIRTHDAY OBSERVANCE
MUSIC INTO: In 1969 the Crusade for Justice, a Chicano/Mexicano civil rights organization began a summer freedom school for disempowered Chicano youth in Denver, for whom regular school seemed irrelevant. Heavily involved was Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales, an activist who hoped spur pride in Chicano students, and get them more interested in education through the study of Chicano literature and history. Last Saturday Latino activists in Denver celebrated Corky Gonzales' birthday, Claudia Crag has this story. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:24 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Denver , Education , Latino/a

May 10, 2006

SALIDA STUDENTS GET THE CHANCE TO MARCH TO A DIFFERENT DRUMMER
May 10, 2006 11:15 AM

archivesSALIDA STUDENTS GET THE CHANCE TO MARCH TO A DIFFERENT DRUMMER
For teachers, getting kids excited about learning, especially at this time of year, can often be challenging. But in Salida, schools have invited a Colorado musician who uses innovative technology plus an interdisciplinary approach to education to spark kids' interest. Shanna Lewis reports from Salida. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:15 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Children & Youth , Education

April 21, 2006

CONSERVATION ADVICE: MONGOLIAN HERDERS VISIT EL PASO COUNTY
April 21, 2006 1:26 PM

archivesCONSERVATION ADVICE: MONGOLIAN HERDERS VISIT EL PASO COUNTY
One of the nation's most well preserved shortgrass prairies lies just a few miles east of Colorado Springs, at the Nature Conservancy's Bohart Ranch. The Ranch draws local kids on school trips . . . and visitors from around the world. Recently, a team of scientists traveled here from Mongolia, to study how conservation methods used on the ranch might slow the expansion of the Gobi Desert. Shelley Schlender reports. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:26 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Colorado Springs , Education

ARKANSAS RIVER FORUM SCIENTISTS TALK ABOUT THE PRESENT AND FUTURE HEALTH OF THE BASIN
April 21, 2006 1:23 PM

archivesARKANSAS RIVER FORUM SCIENTISTS TALK ABOUT THE PRESENT AND FUTURE HEALTH OF THE BASIN
A climatologist says to expect less water in the Arkansas over the long term, and a fisheries biologist says go ahead and take one home for the frying pan. Both are panelists at the annual Arkansas River Basin Forum being held this week in Poncha Springs. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:23 PM| Permalink | Comments (1) | Posted to Colorado , Education , Environment

April 12, 2006

STATE OF THE ROCKIES: FIGHTING HABITAT FRAGMENTATION
April 12, 2006 12:55 PM

archivesSTATE OF THE ROCKIES: FIGHTING HABITAT FRAGMENTATION
The rate of population growth in the Rocky Mountains is three times that of the rest of the country. It is fragmenting wildlife habitat. We hear from representatives of The Nature Conservancy about why protecting private land in the Rockies is so important, and about the challenge of doing so. Coverage of a panel discussion at this year's State of the Rockies conference at Colorado College. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 12:55 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Education , Environment

March 17, 2006

Newscast
March 17, 2006 12:17 PM

archivesNEWSCAST
Lobbying for another Coloradoan to run the Interior Department, teacher suspended for refusing to administer standardized tests, Roadless Task Force meetings continue in Ft. Collins, and moving the Continental Divide Trail. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 12:17 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Education , Environment

March 10, 2006

Capitol Coverage
March 10, 2006 10:28 AM

archivesCAPITOL COVERAGE
A state senator resigns over ethics charges and legislators debate job security for tenured professors. Eric Whitney and Dan Costello report. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:28 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Education , Politics

February 24, 2006

Commentary: Going to School at Home
February 24, 2006 1:11 PM

archivesCOMMENTARY: GOING TO SCHOOL AT HOME
A growing number of families are choosing to home school their children. But retired public school teacher Carolyn Vulgamore isn't sure this is such a great idea. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:11 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Commentary , Education

January 4, 2006

Dark Skies, Part 3 - Moab Canyon
January 4, 2006 5:37 PM

archivesDARK SKIES, PART 3 - MOAB CANYON
Regional folklorist and expert hiking guide Rory Tyler of Moab says what you see in the night sky depends on what you're looking for. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:37 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Education , Interview

Dark Skies, Part 2 - Wet Mountain Valley
January 4, 2006 5:36 PM

archivesDARK SKIES, PART 2 - WET MOUNTAIN VALLEY
Shanna Lewis has the second of our dark skies stories. She explores the dark skies of the isolated Wet Mountain Valley and learns about some of the threats to the pristine night skies. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:36 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Education , Environment

Year in Review: Education
January 4, 2006 3:41 PM

YEAR IN REVIEW: EDUCATION
On this show, Western Skies looks back at some of the big stories from 2005. We begin with education, including the District 11 school board race and settlement of the long-running conflict between Palmer High School and the school's gay-straight alliance. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:41 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Education , Gay & Lesbian

December 27, 2005

Colorado Charter School Diversity
December 27, 2005 12:42 PM

archivesCOLORADO CHARTER SCHOOL DIVERSITY
A left-leaning Colorado think tank recently released a report on the state's charter schools, saying that they're becoming more diverse, but still lag behind most other states in the percentage of students of color. Sam Fuqua of KGNU in Boulder recently interviewed Andrew Rotherham, a senior fellow at the think tank, who is also co-director of Education Sector, a non-partisan research institute. [LISTEN] []

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Posted by Eric Whitney at 12:42 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Children & Youth , Colorado , Education

November 23, 2005

New District 11 Board Begins Work
November 23, 2005 2:27 PM

archivesNEW DISTRICT 11 BOARD BEGINS WORK
Stephen Raher and Eric Whitney report on Monday night's meeting of the District 11 school board in Colorado Springs. Before new members were sworn in, the board announced a settlement in the ongoing litigation over Palmer High School's Gay-Straight Alliance. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:27 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Education , Politics

November 16, 2005

New Avalanche Information for Central Colorado
November 16, 2005 11:17 AM

archivesNEW AVALANCHE INFORMATION FOR CENTRAL COLORADO
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center has helped skiers and winter campers for years. But, as Stephen Raher reports, the hotline has lacked detailed data on the central mountain ranges--until now. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:17 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Education , Indoor/Outdoor Recreation

November 11, 2005

Academic Watch
November 11, 2005 9:08 AM

archivesACADEMIC WATCH
Brian Larson reports on one school district in northern Colorado that's been put on notice to improve operations. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 9:08 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Education , Legal

November 2, 2005

Election Day in School District 11
November 2, 2005 12:12 PM

archivesELECTION DAY IN SCHOOL DISTRICT 11
Today is election day. As voters in Colorado Springs School District 11 elect three new members of the school board, Eric Whitney talks to Colorado College political science professor Bob Loevy about this year's unusual race. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 12:12 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Education , Politics

October 28, 2005

District 11 Vox Pop
October 28, 2005 3:19 PM

archivesDISTRICT 11 VOX POP
Lindsay Patterson talks to local voters about what they make of this year's election for District 11 School Board. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:19 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Education , Politics

October 26, 2005

Brown & Holtzman Debate C and D
October 26, 2005 8:47 AM

archivesBROWN & HOLTZMAN DEBATE C AND D
Eric Whitney reports on former U.S. Senator Hank Brown and gubernatorial candidate Marc Holtzman's recent debate on how the C and D election could impact higher education. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 8:47 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Education , Politics

October 19, 2005

District 11 School Board Race
October 19, 2005 10:25 AM

archivesDISTRICT 11 SCHOOL BOARD RACE
Stephen Raher reports on this year's school board election in El Paso County District 11. Two slates of candidates are running for the three open seats, although one of the slates isn't talking to the media or appearing at candidate debates. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:25 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Education , Politics , Regional

September 28, 2005

Commentary: Funny Baby Sally
September 28, 2005 3:49 PM

archivesCOMMENTARY: FUNNY BABY SALLY
Commentator Lucy Bell recounts an experience from her days as a rookie teacher, in which she learned a valuable lesson about humor in the classroom. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:49 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Commentary , Education

Local Schools Tackle No Child Left Behind
September 28, 2005 3:47 PM

archivesLOCAL SCHOOLS TACKLE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND
Administrators from three Pikes Peak region school districts told citizens on Monday that they're working hard to comply with the massive No Child Left Behind Act, which became law in 2002. They also admitted that no matter how hard they try, they're bound to fail eventually. Stephen Raher reports. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:47 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Education , Politics , Regional

September 23, 2005

Science Education Conference
September 23, 2005 12:01 PM

archivesSCIENCE EDUCATION CONFERENCE
This week, Colorado Springs hosted a meeting of experts who are fighting what they say is a decline of quality science education in U.S. schools. Eric Whitney talks to some of the meeting's participants. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 12:01 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Education , Science

August 31, 2005

Rising Price of Textbooks
August 31, 2005 10:47 AM

archivesRISING PRICE OF TEXTBOOKS
As college students are heading back to school, many are frustrated by the high cost of textbooks. Rising book prices even prompted a recent Congressional investigation. Stephen Raher visits the Colorado College Bookstore to find out more. [LISTEN] []
EXPANDED CONTENT--> The General Accounting Office's recent report on textbook prices is available online.

Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:47 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Education

Poudre Learning Center
August 31, 2005 10:46 AM

archivesPOUDRE LEARNING CENTER
Brian Larson reports on a new kind of outdoor classroom in Northern Colorado. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 10:46 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Education , Indoor/Outdoor Recreation

July 2, 2005

Kids on Campus
July 2, 2005 4:28 PM

archivesKIDS ON CAMPUS
Miles Eddy reports on a program to bring elementary and high school students to Adams State College for a series of summer classes. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:28 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Children & Youth , Education

June 3, 2005

Immigrant College Students
June 3, 2005 3:29 PM

archivesIMMIGRANT COLLEGE STUDENTS
Helen Thorpe reports on two Colorado women who had dreams of receiving a college degree. When they started looking at schools, they realized how difficult it would be for them to continue their education as undocumented immigrants. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:29 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Education , Latino/a

April 2, 2005

Colorado's Community Colleges
April 2, 2005 12:01 PM

archivesCOLORADO'S COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Western Skies' Jon Wilson interviews Nancy McCallin, former budget director for Governor Owens, who is now heading up Colorado's community college system. We hear her thoughts on higher education and the state budget situation. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 12:01 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Education

Newscast
April 2, 2005 11:56 AM

archivesNEWSCAST
Stephen Raher reports on two Colorado Supreme Court cases handed down last week, and Anita Miller has coverage of a controversial professor at CSU Pueblo. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:56 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Education , Legal Affairs , Regional

March 24, 2005

Branson School Online
March 24, 2005 11:49 AM

archivesBRANSON SCHOOL ONLINE
Stephen Raher has the story of a small Colorado town of less than one hundred people, that has nearly one thousand students enrolled in its online school. Branson School Online has won praise from parents and teachers, but at least a few state legislators want to see stricter oversight of the program. [LISTEN] []
EXPANDED CONTENT--> Branson School Online can be found at BransonSchoolOnline.com

Posted by Eric Whitney at 11:49 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Education , Politics

March 12, 2005

UCCS Vox Pop
March 12, 2005 1:53 PM

archivesUCCS VOX POP
UCCS VOX POP
Western Skies' Jon Wilson talks to students at UCCS about President Hoffman's resignation. [LISTEN] []

Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:53 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Education

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