Colorado Succeeds is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of business leaders committed to improving the state’s education system. The organization was founded on the premise that the business community has the opportunity, obligation and capacity to influence public policy and shape public opinion on education issues. Our vision is for Colorado to prepare every student to graduate from high school with the knowledge, skills and behaviors necessary to succeed in a competitive global economy.
“We will continue to advance a portfolio of reform-minded policies and deliver the voice of the business community in an effort to maintain the reform momentum,” Tim Taylor says. “While we are fully committed to ensuring the successful implementation of recent reforms, we also know that there is no silver bullet and that there is still a lot of work left to be done.
Recent Achievements
Colorado Succeeds expanded the size and scope of the stakeholder coalition for SB 191, netting sixty business endorsements while coordinating committee testimony and advocacy efforts. State Sen. Mike Johnston, who co-sponsored the landmark bill, isaid the bill wouldn't have passed without the group's work (see video below.). Colorado Succeeds Vice President Scott Laban has written a case study of the winning campaign,.accompanied by an Advocate's Checklist. The study's key findings are summarized in the PIE Network blog.
By providing public testimony to the State Board of Education, the group played a critical role in adoption of the Common Core State Standards.
In January, the annual Colorado Succeeds Legislative Academy brought together elected officials and business leaders to interact with national education policy leaders.
Colorado Succeeds commissioned a report analyzing Florida’s recent education reform policies and comparing student achievement data in Florida and Colorado, “Proving the Possible: A case study of Florida’s K-12 education reforms and lessons for Colorado.” The report, released in conjunction with Waiting for “Superman,” identified proven strategies, and has been discussed with elected officials and education leaders statewide.
