Stand for Children Leadership Center

Background Statement

Since launching in 2009, Stand for Children Colorado has been a leader in shaping and advancing key policy efforts impacting Colorado's students, educators, and families. We empower parents, educators, and community members to advocate for policy solutions to improve early literacy and high-school graduation rates as well to enhance safe and supportive schools and communities. We have had tremendous impact in all three areas including the passage of universal kindergarten and pre-k, $60M in literacy support and intervention funding to Colorado schools, 21,000 teachers trained in the science of reading, 4,000 ninth grade students served through the Center for High School Success, $1.1M in juvenile fees saved for Colorado families, and more.

We SUPPORT parents, educators, and community members with information, tools, and access to decision-making to be advocates in their schools, districts, and communities and we PARTNER WITH SCHOOLS ​to implement evidence-based strategies to increase student outcomes, improve school climate and strengthen family engagement.

We host an annual cohort of Stand Advocacy Fellows who represent parents, guardians, and educators from the communities we work in and serve in an advisory capacity to Stand Colorado. We provide training and support for Fellows to become effective advocates for equity.​

Stand Colorado is one of eight state affiliates to national organization, Stand for Children Leadership Center. Stand for Children Leadership Center was established in 1996 after founder Jonah Edelman rallied more than 300,000 people in Washington, D.C. to draw attention to education inequities across the country.