07CB070E666F5A8C872582EF005363EB Hearing Summary

Brittany Lane, Director of Educator Preparation, Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), and Katie Zaback, Senior Director of Policy, Partnerships, and Innovation, CDHE, came to the table to talk about teacher shortages and teacher preparation.  Ms. Lane reviewed the background of the teacher shortage in the state of Colorado and discussed how CDHE's Master Plan addresses the issue.  She reviewed the Colorado Teacher Cadet Program which is focused on recruiting teachers to rural parts of the state.  Ms. Lane talked about different grants and stipends that are available, including stipends and grants for rural student teachers, concurrent enrollment programs, Rural Colorado Grow Your Own Educator Grant, and Collaborative Educator Preparation Program Grants.  She discussed a number of bills that passed over the last few sessions that created programs, partnerships, and grants to address the teacher shortage.  Ms. Lane responded to questions from the committee concerning student teachers, early childhood development programs, teacher recruitment, incentives for teachers and teachers, and tearcher salaries.  Attachments were distributed [Attachments A and B].

Attachment A

Ms. Lane discussed a legislative recommendation to implement a tax credit for early childhood development professionals and organizations.

Committee members made comments concerning the teacher shortage, teacher salaries, and the societal mind set of becoming a teacher.