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Update: Failed
51.5% NO
On November 5, 2024, Colorado voters will decide on Amendment 80, a proposed constitutional amendment that would establish a right to school choice for K-12 students. This measure would enshrine the ability for parents to choose from a range of educational options, including public, charter, and private schools, as well as homeschooling and any future innovations in education.
What Does Amendment 80 Do?
Currently, Colorado state law provides various school choice options, allowing students to attend public schools outside of their home district, enroll in charter schools, or pursue private and home-based education. Public schools are funded by state and local governments, but private and home schools do not receive public funding.
Amendment 80 goes a step further by embedding the right to school choice in the state constitution. This constitutional guarantee would give parents the formal right to direct their children’s education, ensuring their ability to choose from a wide range of educational environments. The amendment also opens the door for future educational innovations to be included in this right.
What Your Vote Means
A yes vote on Amendment 80 creates a constitutionally protected right to school choice for K-12 children and their parents, and specifies that school choice includes public, private, homeschool, and any future innovations in education.
A No vote on Amendment 80 means that Colorado’s current school choice system will remain governed by existing state laws, without making school choice a constitutionally protected right. Under current law, parents can already choose from a range of educational options, including public schools (neighborhood, charter, and online), private schools, and homeschooling. A “No” vote would maintain the existing framework, where public schools continue to receive public funding while private schools and home schools do not. The state legislature would continue to set policies related to education and school choice without the constitutional changes proposed by Amendment 80.
Potential Impact
If passed, Amendment 80 would not immediately alter current school choice laws or funding allocations for public education. However, its constitutional status could influence future legislative and judicial decisions, potentially affecting how school funding is distributed between public, private, and home schools. It could also lead to increased legal and administrative costs as courts interpret the new law.
For more information, Colorado voters are encouraged to visit the Secretary of State’s website for ballot details and campaign positions for and against the measure.
Amendment 80 seeks to make school choice a protected constitutional right in Colorado, reaffirming parents’ authority to select the best educational path for their children. While its immediate effects may be minimal, the long-term implications could shift the landscape of education funding and policy in the state.
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