As a parent in Colorado, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. Yet for too many families across Senate District 13 and the broader state, navigating the public education system can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding what your children are being taught, what career options are being prepared for them, and whether the school funding system is truly working in your family’s favor.
In 2026, the conversation around parental rights in schools has never been more important. This guide is designed to cut through the complexity and give Colorado parents clear, actionable information about curriculum transparency, workforce-ready career pathways, and school choice, three pillars of the push for better education in Colorado.
Curriculum Transparency: You Have the Right to Know
One of the most fundamental parental rights in schools is the right to see what your child is learning. Under Colorado law, parents already have access to instructional materials used in public schools, but many families simply don’t know how to exercise that right.
Here’s what you can do today:
Request materials directly from your school.
District policies are required to outline how parents can review the curriculum. Contact your school’s front office or visit your district’s website to find the formal review process. Most districts must respond within a reasonable timeframe.
Attend school board meetings.
Local school boards approve curriculum adoptions. These are public meetings; your voice matters. Check your district’s calendar and show up.
Review state academic standards.
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) publishes all adopted academic standards online, including summer learning frameworks and grade-level expectations across subjects. These standards form the backbone of what teachers are required to cover in the classroom.
I have been a vocal advocate for strengthening transparency requirements at the state level, because informed parents are empowered parents. Proposed legislative measures would require districts to post instructional materials in accessible online portals, giving families real-time visibility without needing to submit formal requests. Learn more about Senator Bright’s commitment to transparency on the Better Education page.
Career Pathways: Preparing Students for the Real World
Every student has a unique path forward, and a four-year degree isn’t the right fit for everyone, nor does it need to be. Colorado is facing a significant skilled workforce shortage in trades like construction, electrical work, healthcare technology, plumbing, and advanced manufacturing. The answer begins in our schools.
This legislative session, I have championed expanded investment in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs across Colorado, with a specific focus on Senate District 13 communities. These initiatives include:
- Expanded CTE funding to give high schools the resources to offer more vocational and trade programming without cutting core academics.
- Industry partnerships that connect students with local employers for apprenticeships, job shadowing, and dual-enrollment pathways that earn students both high school credits and industry certifications simultaneously.
- Stackable credentials that give graduates a recognized qualification on day one of entering the workforce, whether they continue to college or go directly into a trade.
The Colorado Department of Education’s own summer learning and standards frameworks recognize the value of career-connected learning as part of a well-rounded education. My approach aligns directly with these state goals while pushing further to make these opportunities available to every student, not just those in well-resourced districts.
When we talk about education freedom in Colorado, we mean freedom of opportunity, the freedom for a student in Castle Rock or Parker to graduate with a clear, confident path forward, a diploma in hand, and a trade skill ready to go.
Money Follows the Student: School Choice and Underfunded Families
Perhaps no concept in education policy is more misunderstood or more important than school choice. My position is straightforward: the education funding that the state allocates for your child should follow your child, not be locked to a zip code or a default school assignment.
Colorado currently funds education on a per-pupil basis, but access to that funding remains largely tied to district-assigned schools. This disproportionately impacts lower-income families who cannot afford private school tuition or relocate to a higher-performing district. Wealthier families already exercise school choice, through private schools, homeschooling co-ops, or simply buying a home in a preferred district. Education freedom legislation works to extend that same power to every Colorado family.
Under a “money follows the student” model:
- Families could direct a portion of state education funds toward approved educational options, whether that’s a public charter school, a private school, an online learning program, or a hybrid homeschool model.
- Underfunded and rural communities benefit most, as families gain access to high-quality alternatives without geographic or financial barriers.
- Competition improves quality, encouraging all schools, public and private, to better serve students in order to attract enrollment.
This is not about defunding public schools. It’s about ensuring every Colorado child has access to an education environment where they will thrive. My values framework is rooted in the belief that parents, not government bureaucracies, are best positioned to make decisions for their children.
What You Can Do Right Now
Understanding your rights is the first step. Taking action is the next.
Stay informed. Bookmark the CDE’s Standards and Curriculum resources and check your district’s school board meeting schedule.
Know your legislator. I represent Colorado State Senate District 13 and have made education freedom a cornerstone of my work at the Capitol. My team is accessible, responsive, and working for you.
Make your voice heard. Whether it’s attending a town hall, contacting your school board, or reaching out to my office directly, parental engagement changes outcomes. Visit the Get Involved page to find upcoming events, sign up for updates, and connect with a community of Colorado parents who share your values.
Education freedom isn’t a partisan slogan; it’s a practical commitment to making sure every child in Colorado has access to a transparent, career-ready, and family-empowered education. That work is happening right now, and you have a role to play in it.
Senator Scott Bright serves Colorado State Senate District 13. To learn more about his education priorities, visit scottbrightcoloradosenate.com/better-education.