Learning Curve

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...

Who actually decides what your child learns in school? In this episode of Learning Curve , Erin Brantley and Ross Izzard break down the complex (and often confusing) system behind education in Colorado. From state standards to local control, they explain the difference between standards vs. curriculum , who influences each level, and where parents actually have a voice. If you’ve ever wondered why...

Colorado is facing a growing budget crisis, and tough decisions are ahead. In this episode, Ross Izzard and Erin Brantley unpack the state’s $1.5 billion deficit, what’s driving it, and how lawmakers are scrambling to respond. From education funding cuts to debates over raising revenue, they explain how the process works, and why so many bills are currently stuck in limbo. They also highlight a ke...

In this episode of Learning Curve , Erin Brantley and Ross Izard explore one of the most overlooked, but most impactful, areas in education: local school boards . While national and state politics often dominate the conversation, the reality is that school boards control the vast majority of what students experience day-to-day, from curriculum and staffing to policy and transparency. The challenge...

Who should have the final say in a child’s education, parents or schools? In this episode of Learning Curve , Ross Izzard and Erin Brantley unpack a rapidly developing legal battle over parental notification policies in schools. Sparked by a case out of California, the conversation explores whether schools can withhold critical information from parents, and what the Constitution actually says abou...

In this episode of Learning Curve , Erin and Ross break down Colorado’s HB 261292 and what it could mean for school choice, private education, and families across the state. At the center of the conversation is a key question: Who actually has access to educational opportunities, and who gets left out? The hosts unpack how federal tax credit scholarship programs are designed to expand access for l...

Ep. 2: Colorado lawmakers are facing a massive state budget deficit, and education funding may be caught in the crossfire. In this episode of Learning Curve, Ross Izzard and Erin Brantley break down a proposal that could cut funding for homeschool enrichment programs in half, reducing part-time student funding from 50% to 25% of per-pupil funding. These programs allow homeschool families to access...

Education policy affects every family, but most parents have no idea where the decisions impacting their kids are actually made. In this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley and Ross Izard break down why parents need to start paying closer attention to education policy and how those decisions shape what happens in classrooms across Colorado. From school choice and charter schools to legislatio...