Is Phil Weiser's Bold Education Plan the Key to Colorado's Future or a Recipe for Disaster?

On October 30, 2022, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser unveiled his ambitious “Opportunity Agenda” as a central component of his broader “Colorado Blueprint” vision for the future of the state. This initiative is designed to tackle pressing issues related to education, job creation, mental health, and community support, aiming to set Colorado’s younger generations up for success in a rapidly changing world.

The Opportunity Agenda is structured around six key pillars: reinvigorating the economy, creating quality jobs, supporting rural communities, improving education, addressing the youth mental health crisis, and developing a new “ColoradoCorps” program. The ColoradoCorps is particularly noteworthy; it aims to provide young people with opportunities to earn a paycheck and gain valuable experience in crucial fields such as education, conservation, and public health.

“Sadly, too many Coloradans growing up are not getting set up for success and we’re in a changing world with changing technologies (and) new challenges,”

Weiser said in an interview with The Durango Herald. He emphasized the need for an education system that prepares students for the future, citing the Durango school district’s “Portrait of a Graduate” plan as a model for what he hopes to achieve statewide. This plan focuses on equipping students with essential skills for life after graduation.

This year, Weiser has engaged with various stakeholders throughout Colorado, including teachers, students, and school leaders, to gather input on his vision for the state. "I am sharing this plan so that people can get a sense of what my vision is and they can give me feedback on it,” he noted, underlining his commitment to inclusivity in the planning process.

A primary focus of the Opportunity Agenda is youth mental health. Weiser underscored the importance of creating a culture of awareness surrounding mental health challenges and establishing support systems that are foundational for effective learning. This approach goes beyond traditional counseling; he advocates for fostering connections, emphasizing that students should have multiple mentors in their lives. “Parents can’t do it all on their own,” he pointed out.

School safety is another critical area of concern for Weiser, particularly in light of recent events that have left many students feeling anxious. Referencing the Evergreen shooting, he described this issue as a public health crisis that requires urgent attention. “Kids are often scared,” he said, highlighting the need for proactive measures to ensure students feel secure in their learning environments.

Weiser also expressed a commitment to ensuring that rural communities are not overlooked in these initiatives. He stated, “Part of what we’re going to need to make sure is that we’re grounded in different communities and we’re building programs in communities that work for them.” This focus on local solutions is essential for fostering equitable access to training and development opportunities.

Amid these discussions, Weiser acknowledged the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on both students and educators. He remarked, “We have to prepare students to learn how to use AI skills. They’re going to become 21st-century skills and it’s not something we can ... ignore.” He stressed that while integrating AI into educational systems presents challenges, it also offers opportunities to prepare students for a workforce increasingly shaped by this technology. Weiser insisted that the human element of education must remain central, despite the advancements in AI.

Another element of his plan focuses on expanding access to early childhood education. With 46% of Coloradans living in childcare deserts, Weiser highlighted the urgency of addressing this issue. He articulated the critical importance of the developmental stages between ages 0 to 5 and 5 to 13, asserting, “We can’t ignore 0 to 5 from a learning perspective.” He argued that a lack of available childcare forces families into challenging choices that could have lasting impacts on young people’s futures.

As he looks forward, Weiser emphasizes the need for ongoing learning and adaptation. “These are all areas that we need to continue to work to improve on and continue to learn how we go forward,” he said. His “proven executive experience” as Attorney General, he believes, equips him to develop effective strategies for the state.

Colorado's future hinges on the implementation of these initiatives. As Weiser’s Opportunity Agenda unfolds, the state will be watching to see how these strategies address the intertwined issues of education, mental health, and economic opportunity, particularly for its youngest citizens. With the right focus and resources, Colorado could indeed become a model for other states grappling with similar challenges.