Senate GOP leaders on education policy had high praise this week for a proposal by the incoming Senate president to let some of the state's highest- and lowest-performing schools control their own budgets, hire their own faculty and set their own curriculum.

Sen. Peter Groff, a Denver Democrat who is expected to be named president of the upper chamber in January, will introduce a measure to let schools get waivers from some regulations and union contract provisions in addressing their students’ needs.

“We welcome President-elect Groff’s plan to give greater authority to parents and teachers,” said Assistant Senate Republican leader Nancy Spence, who is also ranking Republican on the Senate Education Committee. “Our education system needs more flexibility and we are glad to see this proposal emerge.”