— Senate Bill 256: The annual act laying out school funding provides some additional money for schools that boost the performance of at-risk students. School spending is required to increase each year under voter-approved Amendment 23, although lawmakers did consider cutting $110 million because of the state’s budget problems. Instead, they voted to give school districts the $110 million but not allow them to spend it until January in case the recession worsens. Sponsored by Sens. Chris Romer, D-Denver, and Bob Bacon, D-Fort Collins, and Reps. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, and Christine Scanlan, D-Silverthorne.
— House Bill 1319: Makes it easier for school districts to allow high students to earn college credit. School districts cover the cost of the courses during grades 9 through 12. Students can also stay for a fifth year of high school and tap into their state college subsidy—the Colorado Opportunity Fund stipend—early to pay for their college classes. Fifth-year students must be approved by the state. Sponsored by Reps. Michael Merrifield, D-Colorado Springs and Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, and Sens. Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, and Rollie Heath, D-Boulder.
— Senate Bill 282: Merges the Denver Public Schools retirement system into the state’s Public Employees’ Retirement Association, allowing teachers to move into and out of Denver schools without losing any retirement benefits. Sens. Paula Sandoval, D-Denver, and Nancy Spence, R-Centennial, and Rep. Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood.
— Senate Bill 160: Creates common requirements for the state’s two programs for alternative teachers—people from other careers who want to become educators. Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster, and Rep. Nancy Todd, D-Aurora.
— Senate Bill 90: Allows the state education department to give grants to schools to help increase parent involvement in schools. The state hasn’t set aside any money to pay for these grants and they could only be given out if the state receives a grant or a donation. Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster, and Reps. Debbie Benefield, D-Arvada, and Michael Merrifield, D-Colorado Springs.
— Senate Bill 123: Would provide grants to schools to reach out to students at risk of dropping out. The program, which will be funded with donations from two charities, will focus on helping students with academics, physical fitness, nutrition and emotional support. Sen. Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, and Rep. Nancy Todd, D-Aurora.
— Senate Bill 163: Also allows state and school districts to take over a failing school. Under current law, they must become charter schools. It also sets up a new assessment system that will measure student growth over time rather than just a snapshot grade. Will be funded with grants or donations. Sponsored by Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster, and Rep. Karen Middleton, D-Aurora.
— House Bill 1065: Sets up a statewide system to track the performance of teachers and principals to help close the so-called “teacher gap,” where less experienced teachers tend to work in low-income schools. It must also be funded by grants or donations. Rep. Debbie Benefield, D-Arvada, and Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial.
— House Bill 1243: Creates an Office of Dropout Prevention and Student Re-engagement. Reps. Karen Middleton, D-Aurora, and Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, and Sen. Bob Bacon, D-Fort Collins.
