Ann Schimke, Chalkbeat
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The headlines started appearing in July and August: A child care catastrophe was looming.Nearly 1,100 Colorado child care programs would shutter and 83,000 young children in the state would lose care after federal COVID aid expired in September, according to projections from a national think tank.
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Colorado’s universal preschool plan called for children to get up to 30 hours a week at no cost to their families, provided there was enough money. It turns out there isn’t.
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A growing number of international teachers are filling vacancies in some Colorado school districts facing a dearth of homegrown applicants, especially in areas like math, science, special education, and bilingual education. District leaders say international educators help plug holes in the teacher pipeline and expand students’ cultural horizons.
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A Chalkbeat analysis found some parts of the state are awash in preschool seats and others don’t have nearly enough.
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As state leaders prepare to launch Colorado’s free preschool program next fall, some educators and advocates fear young children with disabilities will lose out under the new system.