Colorado Is #1 in Education, But What Does That Really Mean?

Colorado has been ranked #1 in education by U.S. News & World Report, jumping from third place in 2025 to the top spot in 2026. But what exactly does a #1 education ranking measure?In this episode of Learning Curve, Erin Brantley and Ross Izard look beyond the headline and break down the factors behind Colorado's ranking, including preschool enrollment, college attainment and completion, graduation outcomes, and K–12 academic performance.Erin and Ross also discuss Colorado's reading and math proficiency numbers, the relationship between education spending and student outcomes, and the difficulty of reducing something as complex as educational success to a single statewide ranking.What should matter most when evaluating Colorado schools: rankings, test scores, funding, educational access, parent satisfaction, or something else entirely?Hosts: Erin Brantley and Ross Izard