Education reforms bound for the governor’s desk this year include new programs to help kids plan careers and get an earlier start on college and to encourage schools to better ready at-risk students for college aptitude tests.
But many of the suggestions at Wednesday’s meeting of the P-20 Council also come with unknown price tags in a year shaping up to be a financial draw, at best.
The group will vote next week on which of the 14 recommendations to send the governor’s way, and its members aren’t focusing on cost, said Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien, who serves on the council.
“The governor told us he wanted the best thinking and for us not to worry about the cost,” O’Brien said. The financials “are his call.”
The wish list also includes plans that would add employees, commission studies and create a division to evaluate the effectiveness of reforms across the state.
Legislation passed last session formed the council and anticipates that new educational standards and practices to boost graduation rates will be fully in place by 2011.
One plan advanced by the council Wednesday would allow parents and students to explore career options, related courses, college opportunities and financial aid options online, similar to programs found in 23 other states.
Another proposal would give schools up to $500 for each at-risk student who passes all or part of college-readiness tests like the SAT.
Rep. Michael Merrifield, D-Colorado Springs, said he plans to carry a panel-recommended bill that would introduce a statewide program to allow high school students who are academically ready to begin taking college and technical courses before graduating.
But he said many of the recommendations may be put on hold.
“We’re going to have to be . . . what’s a good word to mean cheap?” asked Merrifield, chairman of the House Education Committee. “There are some good ideas we need to flesh out and wait until we can find funding.”
Jessica Fender: 303-954-1244 or jfender@denverpost.com
