Leadership and members of House and Senate Republican caucuses gathered on the west steps of the Capitol today to unveil a comprehensive education package --the first installment of their legislative plan for the approaching 2008 session.

The Republican legislators said their proposals offered innovative, yet realistic reforms that amount to higher standards, more options, quality teachers and greater safety for Colorado’s schools. Among the GOP proposals addressing those priorities: a uniform, statewide curriculum standard to graduate high school; a general proficiency exam before any student could graduate; a requirement to display English proficiency before a student could graduate, and a plan to reward and retain the best teachers through performance bonuses.

The lawmakers chided the governor and the legislature's ruling Democrats for failing to act on education and other key issues while deferring instead to a seemingly endless succession of blue-ribbon commissions and study groups.

"The most pressing problems facing our education system don't need more study.  They need action," Assistant Senate Republican Leader Nancy Spence of Centennial said.  "We are proposing practical solutions that really work for Colorado's schools."

Real Solutions For Colorado

Raising the Bar in Education

Please join us as Republicans announce an education package for the upcoming legislative session at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Oct. 16, on the west steps of the state capitol.

WHO:        Senate and House Republicans

WHAT:      Announcement of 2008 Education Proposals

WHERE:    State Capitol, West Steps

WHEN:      Tuesday, Oct. 16, 10:00 a.m