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S_ED_2017A 01/10/2017 Committee Summary

Final

STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING



COMMITTEE ON JOINT EDUCATION

Date: 01/10/2017
ATTENDANCE
Time: 09:03 AM to 11:07 AM
Everett
*
Fields
E
Place: RM 271
Garnett
*
Holbert
E
This Meeting was called to order by
Johnston
E
Senator Hill
Kerr
X
Lee
X
This Report was prepared by
Lundeen
*
Rachel Kurtz-Phelan
Marble
E
Merrifield
X
Moreno
X
Neville T.
*
Pettersen
X
Priola
E
Todd
X
Wilson
X
Windholz
E
Woods
E
Buckner
E
Hill
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
History Colorado Presentation

Presentation by Colorado Department of Education

Presentation by Department of Higher Education
Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only

Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only

Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only





09:04 AM -- History Colorado Presentation



Senator Hill, chair, called the meeting to order. Steve Turner, Executive Director of History Colorado, and Jim Parone, Finance Director of History Colorado, came to the table to begin their presentation. They distributed two handouts to the committee (Attachments A and B). Mr. Turner talked about recent changes to the board and executive leadership of the organization, as well as new programming at the museum and the work that's being done to increase the number of students who participate in its programs. Mr. Turner spoke about History Colorado's strategic goals for the upcoming year, including strengthening community museums and strengthening the services provided through the museum's preservation programs. Mr. Turner answered questions from the committee.



17JointEducation0110AttachA.pdf17JointEducation0110AttachA.pdf 17JointEducation0110AttachB.pdf17JointEducation0110AttachB.pdf













09:20 AM -- Presentation by Colorado Department of Education



Katy Anthes, Commissioner of Education, Colorado Department of Education (CDE), came to the table to begin the presentation. She introduced her colleagues at the table, Alyssa Pearson, Joyce Zurkowski, and Melissa Colsman. A copy of the presentation can be found as Attachment C. Dr. Anthes spoke about CDE's main responsibilities, which include implementing state and federal education laws, disbursing state and federal funds, licensing educators, holding schools and districts accountable for performance, providing public transparency of performance and financial data, and providing leadership and resources. She briefly talked about CDE's strategic goals.



17JointEducation0110AttachC.pdf17JointEducation0110AttachC.pdf



09:28 AM



Ms. Colsman, Associate Commissioner of Student Learning, CDE, talked about the history of the Colorado Academic Standards (CAS), the department's standards review and revision process, and a recent survey administered by the department about the CAS. Ms. Colsman answered questions from the committee.





09:44 AM



Ms. Zurkowski, Executive Director of Assessments, CDE, spoke about state assessments, including the 2016 participation rates, 9th grade procurement considerations, future assessment requirements, and possible changes to federal requirements under the incoming administration.





09:59 AM



Ms. Pearson, Associate Commissioner of Accountability, Performance, and Support, CDE, discussed accountability, school and district performance frameworks and ratings, accreditation ratings, support provided by the department for priority improvement and turnaround schools, and the accountability clock.





10:08 AM




Dr. Anthes spoke about the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) as it relates to the timeline and structure for the development of the required state plan. She told the committee about the department's legislative priorities which are currently being worked on by the State Board of Education, and the department's regulatory agenda. She answered questions from the committee.





10:13 AM



Leanne Emm, Associate Commissioner of School Finance and Operations, CDE, came to the table to talk about the department's fiscal year 2017-18 budget request. She answered questions from the committee.



















10:29 AM -- Presentation by Department of Higher Education



Diane Duffy, Interim Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education (DHE), came to the table to begin her presentation. Several handouts were distributed to the committee (Attachments D, E, and F). Ms. Duffy discussed the department's strategic goals, Colorado's future labor market, the Colorado Commission of Higher Education Master Plan, the department's role in the higher education pipeline, the higher education funding allocation formula created pursuant to HB 14-1319, and provided an overview of the state's public higher education system.



17JointEducation0110AttachD.pdf17JointEducation0110AttachD.pdf 17JointEducation0110AttachE.pdf17JointEducation0110AttachE.pdf





17JointEducation0110AttachF.pdf17JointEducation0110AttachF.pdf



10:43 AM



Ms. Duffy continued her presentation by focusing on accountability, credential completions for liberal arts, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), and Pell-eligible students, and the higher education challenges currently being faced by Colorado. She explained the department's fiscal year 2017-18 budget request, which represents a 2.5 percent operating budget increase. She stressed the importance of student financial aid that is provided by the state, and talked about the affordability challenges faced by students and families.





10:56 AM



Ms. Duffy answered questions from the committee.





11:07 AM



The committee adjourned.


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