A10DB8FD344C1AFC872583910070EF35 Hearing Summary

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Representatives Buentello and Kipp, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 19-1066, concerning counting special education students in graduation rates. The bill clarifies the method used to calcualte graduation rates at public high schools.

Representatives Buentello and Kipp responded to questions from the committee regarding the students that would qualify as special education students under the bill.

Brandon Shaffer, St. Vrain Valley Schools, came to the table to respond to questions from the committee regarding curriculum for high-need and special education students and how schools could statistically count special education students in their graduation rates.

The following people testified on the bill:

Maureen Welch, representing herself, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.

Laura Hess, St. Vrain Valley Schools Special Education Director, testified in support of the bill.

Representatives Kipp and Buentello responded to questions from the committee regarding the bill.

Ms. Hess answered questions about which students would qualify under the bill, and committee discussion continued.

Dr. JoAnn Fujioka, representing the Colorado Parent Teacher Association, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Buentello distributed Amendment L.001 (Attachment A).  Representative Kipp answered questions about how many students are considered special education students under the bill.