Amendment 80 in Colorado’s 2024 election proposes to enshrine the right to school choice for K-12 students and their parents in the state constitution. It guarantees access to public, charter, private, and homeschool education, as well as future innovations in education. This measure formalizes rights that are already provided by Colorado law but aims to prevent future changes by the legislature without voter approval.
Supporters argue it protects parents’ ability to choose the best education for their children and prevents potential legislative threats to school choice, especially for charter schools. Critics, however, fear it could lead to the introduction of school voucher programs, which might divert public funds away from traditional public schools to private institutions, exacerbating funding challenges in the public education system.
School choice leads to positive outcomes for children, and we generally support these principles. However, the language in this amendment has raised concerns among parental rights advocates. While we support the concept of school choice, the executive board decided not to endorse this amendment due to the problematic wording in the final sentence: “Each K-12 child has the right to school choice.” This phrasing may unintentionally shift decision-making power from parents to children, creating legal ambiguity about who holds the ultimate authority in making educational choices.
Here is a list of articles to help you make an informed decision:
- Advance Colorado’s video about School Choice
- How Colorado’s School Choice Measure Protects Parental Rights
- Safeguarding School Choice – One Size Doesn’t Fit All
- CHEC’s Review of November Ballot Measures
- The Denver Post Opinion on Amendment 80
- Colorado Chalkbeat Opinion on Amendment 80
- Colorado Sun on Amendment 80 and potential school vouchers
- Advance Colorado – Why School Choice Matters
- Complete Colorado – Amendment 80 threatens school choice in the name of protecting it
- Vote Yes on 80 – School Choice for all Colorado Kids