Colorado Parents Advocacy Network...a classic political astroturf of people & organizations supported by Koch billionaire dark money

CPAN is one of dozens of Colorado astroturfing organizations financially and operationally supported by the Koch network of dark-monied billionaires,  think-tanks and political operatives. 

Astroturfing at CPAN

• CPAN is an organized attempt to give the false impression that CPAN's philosophy  enjoys widespread grassroots support of the community when little such support exists. 
• CPAN strives for credibility by withholding information about its background and Koch  financial backers.
• CPAN tries to make it appear as though  it originates from and is supported by grassroots participants.  In fact, the people involved in CPAN have long public histories participating in right-wing politics and predecessor astroturfs (e.g., Wokebusters, FAIR, Turning Point USA, among others) 
• The implication is that instead of a "natural grassroots" effort behind the organization, there is a "fake" or "artificial" appearance of support.

Astroturfing campaigns attempt to mislead the public into believing that their opinion or position is shared by most people. Because people tend to adopt the opinions they believe to be held by the majority—the so-called herd instinct— astroturfing campaigns can become an obstacle to independent thinking.   In political science, it is defined as the process of seeking electoral victory or legislative relief for grievances by helping political actors find and mobilize a sympathetic public, and is designed to create the image of public consensus where there is none. 

Astroturfing is the use of fake grassroots efforts that primarily focus on influencing public opinion and typically are funded by corporations and political operatives to form opinions.  According to an article in the Journal of Business Ethics, astroturfing threatens the legitimacy of genuine grassroots movements. The authors argued that astroturfing that is "purposefully designed to fulfill corporate agendas, manipulate public opinion and harm scientific research represents a serious lapse in ethical conduct.   (07172024)

Douglas County NewsPress Nov 14, 2023 by McKenna Hartford

"Douglas County School District’s superintendent was honored as part of the launch event for the new organization, Colorado Parent Advocacy Network, which opposes diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in schools. The group promotes parents’ rights and school choice.

During the Nov. 13 event at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, the group gave awards to a number of people for their “support in restoring parent voice in education,” including Douglas County Superintendent Erin Kane. 

Lori Gimelshteyn, executive director of Colorado Parent Advocacy Network, highlighted Kane’s work to improve communication in the district.

“Since Erin’s appointment in March of 2022, she has worked relentlessly to foster positive relationships, open communication and collaboration with parents, educators and the board of directors,” Gimelshteyn said. “Her commitment to implement and support high academic standards for all students to succeed on their individual pathways is a model for all superintendents in the state and across the nation.”

Other award winners include Deborah and Jonathan Flora, who produced the film “Whose Children Are They?;” conservative radio host Kim Monson; Alexandra Campana, director of Center for 1776; Laureen Boll, a Colorado coordinator for the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism; and Pam Benigno with the Independence Institute. 

Around 250 people attended the event, including Douglas County school board members Mike Peterson, Christy Williams and Becky Meyers. 

After the event, Kane said she hoped the award would signal to parents that the school district does not promote critical race theory, “woke curriculum or indoctrinating kids.”

“Douglas County is an amazing public school district, we have awesome school choice, we’re focusing on academic excellence, we’re not being political,” Kane said. “As you’ve heard me say many times, we’re not promoting woke curriculum or indoctrinating kids. I’m excited to get this award because I think it will help us show our families in Douglas County that we are not doing those things and we do stand apart.”

She added that she supports all parents participating in their child’s education. “I am dedicated to empowering parent voice across our district for every family regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, identity, etc,” she said.

The event also featured a panel with Deborah Flora, Erec Smith with the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism, and Cain Young, founder of Task Force Freedom. The panelists lambasted critical race theory, teachers' unions and diversity, equity and inclusion programs, while encouraging parents to get involved. 

Several questions the panel addressed focused on giving advice to parents who may be concerned about curriculum in their child’s classroom. In response to a question about why schools are assuming the role of parents, Flora blamed it on the spread of Marxism and the belief that children belong to the state.

“The good news is that’s not who we are, that’s not going to happen and we are not going to let them replace us,” she said. “We will step forward, with a smile on our face, and say those are not your children.”

Young went further in his response, saying schools are at war with parents and claiming that a lack of parent voice in education is akin to taxation without representation. Young then made a veiled reference to the Second Amendment in his answer. 

“Pretty sure there was a big ‘ol giant war started about that. I didn’t say that out loud, FBI,” Young said. “I’m just saying we have solutions. Our founding fathers gave us solutions to fight these people.”

Young and Flora later railed against schools for supporting trans students and suggested schools were encouraging students to transition.

Throughout the hour-long conversation, panelists also promoted individualism in education, the traditional family unit and school choice, such as homeschooling and charters.

While Kane said Douglas County schools aren't political, she encouraged any parent with concerns to speak with teachers directly.

“One of my core values is to presume positive intent, so we always have to start there,” she said. “I think our parents and our teachers in Douglas County work together really well to make sure that our kids are getting the best education possible.”

Conversations are also at the heart of Kane’s plan to address the district’s equity policy, which involves engaging the community to learn what they want and don’t want from the policy. She said she plans to have more conversations with parents in Douglas County from all backgrounds as part of that process. 

“The more you really listen to what differing sides are saying, I sometimes want to be like ‘you’re all saying the same thing,’” Kane said. “Nobody wants to lower expectations for any group of kids. Everyone wants us to take care of each and every child and help them reach their own individual potential. We want our kids to have the brightest futures possible.”

The district will begin hosting community conversations on the equity policy in January, Kane said.

Editor's Note: This story was corrected to reflect that Cain Young and Deborah Flora made the comments about schools and trans students during the panel.  The story has also updated the number of people in attendance."

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CPAN Kick-Off Gala Speakers 

The CPAN Kickoff featured a Who's Who of SNP Think-Tank Speakers. 

Alveda C. King, PhD, serves as Chair of the America First Policy Institute’s Center for the American Dream. She is the daughter of the late slain civil rights activist Rev. A. D. King and the niece of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  King is also an author, Fox News Channel contributor, Fox Nation host, NEWSMAX blog contributor. King has spoken out against same-sex marriage. King is an anti-abortion activist. (JSNE Note: King has been disavowed by MLK's family)  https://americafirstpolicy.com/ 

Erec Smith is a member of the FAIR Board of Advisors and a writing Fellow for Heterodox Academy.

Cain Young is an oil field worker and a self-proclaimed “Negro.” He is also the founder of Task Force Freedom, an advocacy organization that fights against the teaching of critical race theory, social-emotional learning and the sexual grooming of children,” 

Bill Cadman (no show) represented Colorado State Senate District 12. "Cadman was the Colorado State Chairman of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), as of 2011. He also served on ALEC’s Board of Directors. He received a total of $9,122.51 in ALEC “scholarships” according to data from 2006 to 2008. (Sourcewatch Website)                  (07172024)

By:  Suzie Glassman / NewsBreak Denver

2022-11-15 

"During a launch event this week, the Colorado Parent Advocacy Network (CPAN) presented DougCo superintendent Erin Kane with its Champion Award for her support in restoring parent voice in education.

According to a report by journalist McKenna Harford, the group's executive director Lori Gimelshteyn said, "Her (Kane's) commitment to implement and support high academic standards for all students to succeed on their individual pathways is a model for all superintendents in the state and across the nation."

Other award winners include conservative radio show host Kim Monson who spoke out against the district's funding measures, Laureen Boll from the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR), and Alexandra Caro Campana from the Center for 1776, America First Policy Institute.

FAIR Douglas County chapter leaders have spoken out against the district's current equity policy, claiming it contains elements of critical race theory.

Despite being among guests with conservative or libertarian agendas, Kane told Harford that DougCo schools aren't political, and she encourages concerned parents to speak with their teachers directly.

Earlier this year, the DougCo school board tasked Kane with reviewing and possibly rewriting the district's equity policy over "legitimate questions" raised by school employees regarding its interpretation and implementation.

Kane said she plans to meet with DougCo parents of all races and backgrounds as she works to understand what they want and don't want from the district's equity policy.

Group questions superintendent's motives

A nonprofit community organization, DougCo Collective, expressed disappointment that Kane accepted the award and that board members Mike Peterson, Christy Williams, and Becky Myers attended the event.

"Seeing Kane's name listed among a who's-who of far-right extremists who have been attacking public education and teachers in Colorado, and three of the newest BoE directers there in support is truly devastating for the DCSD community." 

Equity vs. Equality

Equity and equality may seem the same. Still, the words are different, which often creates confusion. While most everyone believes in equality, the term equity has taken on a life of its own.

According to The National Equity Project (NEC), "Educational equity means that each child receives what they need to develop to their full academic and social potential."

Equality means everyone in the school, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status gets access to the same things. Experts say this is helpful, but it doesn't address specific needs. Every child may get a laptop to take home, but not all children have reliable internet access.

Equity in schools isn't new. Students with learning disabilities or developmental delays need and receive additional support, like 1:1 instruction, occupational and speech therapy, and accommodations.

Poor students have long been eligible for free and reduced lunches, some may qualify for mental health services, and gifted and talented studies receive advanced instruction.

Yet, the political right has tied critical race theory to equity, making the term interchangeable with any racial equity, diversity, or inclusion work schools may be doing.

Those against educational equity believe these topics make white students feel bad about their race and that their achievements are not a result of hard work.   (07172024)

NewsBreak bySuzie Glassman posted on September 14, 2023.

"Colorado Parent Advocacy Network (CPAN), a conservative parents’ rights group, hosted a school safety summit this past weekend at St. Thomas More Catholic Parish in Englewood, asking for members to advocate for armed security teams, including teachers and staff, at their schools.

“Today is laser-focused on one thing,’ said moderator Deborah Flora, conservative radio show host and CPAN board member, “and that is how we protect our schools and the educators and students in them.” 

Looking at the audience, Flora said, “So my school board warriors, this [armed security teams] is one of the topics we can bring up and look at school budgets and begin with this as a first line of defense.”reativity and style. From lifestyle photography to product placements, Just Say No to Extremism has experience in a variety of niches."  (07172024)

Colorado Times Recorder, 12/12/2022  by  Heidi Beedle

"Conservative activist groups — who oppose equity efforts and LGBTQ inclusion and advocate for the expansion of school choice programs, including charter schools and vouchers — are increasingly gaining influence over school board members and district administrators. 

Both the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR) and FEC United, which share a pool of members with other local activist groups like the Colorado Parent Advocacy Network (CPAN) and Advocates for D20 Kids, to name a few, have successfully lobbied school district leaders across the front range.

Building on a momentum generated in part by stoking outrage over critical race theory (CRT) and COVID-19 mask policies, these groups are now organizing members around issues relating to equity policies, policies for transgender students, and efforts at banning “controversial” books that contain LGBTQ content or are critical of the United States."   (07172024)