The following letter to editor, regarding “Have We Quit on Learning?,” originally appeared in the New York Times on May 25, 2025
Governors are rising up — not giving up — on education as we know it. Education is the single best investment we can make in the future of our states and economy. This is a national conversation not being had enough in the halls of Washington by either party. But it is happening in the states — and it’s one we have to elevate nationally, before too many youngsters fall behind.
States are passing nonpartisan, common-sense reforms, and it’s making a difference. Colorado passed free full-day kindergarten and universal preschool to prevent achievement gaps from forming in the first place, give our youngest learners a strong start and save parents and families thousands of dollars. We’ve deployed targeted tutoring and after-school opportunities for K-12 students, including an online math platform that is free for schools to use, and that increased scores after just one year.
Governors from both parties are leading similar efforts to improve student performance in reading and math, with science-based initiatives generating real results in states such as Alabama, California, Louisiana and New York.
Through an effort I’m leading with the National Governors Association known as Let’s Get Ready: Educating All Americans for Success, we’re looking at how we can best measure what skills and knowledge students need to thrive in school and beyond, invest in what works and change what doesn’t.
In Colorado, Canon City and Poudre high schools are allowing ninth-grade students to choose a focus — including agriculture, the arts, engineering, health services, hospitality, skilled trades and more — to guide their studies. This program combines strong academics, technical education and real-world experience, and offers college credit and industry certifications.
Technological change has made the job market unrecognizable compared with just a decade ago, and a decade from now, it will be more unrecognizable still. That’s why my main focus as governor is to ensure that our education system equips students with the skills they need to meet current and future needs. To keep up, schools have to evolve and innovate, too.
Governor Jared Polis
