H_ED_2017A 01/23/2017 Committee Summary

01:36 PM -- HB17-1042



Representative Wilson presented and summarized House Bill 16-1042 concerning an increase to funding for full-day kindergarten. Under current law, students who are enrolled in kindergarten are counted as half-day students for purposes of school finance, and each school district receives an additional .08 of a full-day student for each enrolled kindergarten student. Beginning with FY 2017-18, this bill increases the supplemental kindergarten enrollment calculation to provide .16 of a full-day pupil. Representative Wilson provided background information on current kindergarten programs in Colorado and the impact on local governments. Representative Wilson distributed a copy of current Colorado statute regarding full-day kindergarten (Attachment A).



17HouseEd0123AttachA.pdf































01:46 PM



Representative Wilson answered questions from the committee regarding state budgetary restrictions for funding full-day kindergarten.



The following people testified on the bill:



01:48 PM -- Lacey LeDoux, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill. She discussed her experience with full-day kindergarten programs in Canyon City.



01:55 PM -- Chelsea Henkel, representing Stand for Children, spoke in favor of the bill. She provided background information on full-day kindergarten programs. Ms. Henkel discussed the long term affects on students and fiscal impacts to school districts for not having full-day kindergarten programs.



Ms. Henkel answered questions from the committee regarding the average activities and curriculum for full-day kindergarten programs.



02:02 PM -- Dr. Moira Coogan, representing the Colorado Association of Elementary School Principals, spoke in favor of the bill. She discussed the long term affects of full-day kindergarten programs. Dr. Coogan spoke on the financial impact on families in school districts that charge for full-day kindergarten programs.



Dr. Coogan answered questions from the committee regarding sliding scales available to parents and families for full-day kindergarten programs.



02:10 PM -- Bill Jaeger, Vice President of Early Childhood Initiatives, Colorado Children's Campaign, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed kindergarten enrollment in Colorado.



The committee members provided comments on the bill.

02:19 PM -- HB17-1038



Representative Lontine presented and summarized House Bill 17-1038 concerning the prohibition of corporal punishment on children in public settings. The bill prohibits the use of corporal punishment on a child by a person employed by or volunteering in a public school or certain child care facilities licensed by the Department of Human Services (DHS), including state-licensed child care centers, family care homes, or specialized group facilities. School districts are required to add the prohibition on corporal punishment to their conduct and discipline codes. The DHS is required to incorporate the prohibition on corporal punishment into its child care licensing rules. In the bill, "corporal punishment" is defined as the willful infliction of, or willfully causing the infliction of, physical pain on a child. The bill exempts certain situations from the definition of "corporal punishment," including the force necessary to quell a disturbance, self-defense, or to obtain a weapon controlled by a child, as well as physical pain or discomfort caused by athletic activities in which a child is voluntarily engaged. Representative Lontine provided background information on the use of corporal punishment in Colorado public schools.































Representative Lontine answered questions from the committee regarding the definition of public settings as described by the bill. She also answered questions about other states that have passed laws regarding corporal punishment in schools. Representative Lontine discussed the definition of corporal punishment, and the legality of using necessary force in certain situations, as well as whether the bill will increase suspensions and expulsion rates of students.



The following people testified on the bill:



02:34 PM -- Kerrie Dallman, representing the Colorado Education Association, spoke in favor of the bill. Ms. Dallman answered questions from the committee.



02:36 PM -- Dr. Kinette Richards, representing the Colorado Education Association, spoke in favor of the bill. She spoke about the psychological effects of corporal punishment on children. Dr. Richards answered questions from the committee.



02:44 PM -- Dr. Rosemarie Allen, President and CEO of Institute for Racial Equality and Excellence, spoke in favor of the bill. She talked about anti-social behavior and lower academic achievement issues of children who experience corporal punishment. Dr. Allen answered questions from the committee.



02:57 PM -- Bill Jaeger, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, spoke in favor of the bill. He answered questions from the committee.



03:02 PM -- Mari Jo Rymer, representing the Arc of Colorado, spoke in favor of the bill. Spoke about the impacts of corporal punishment on people with disabilities. Ms. Rymer answered questions from the committee.



03:12 PM -- Michael Clough, Superintendent of Sheridan School District, came to speak in support of the bill. He spoke about the reported incidences of corporal punishment at Sheridan School District, and answered questions from the committee. He distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment B).



17HouseEd0123AttachB.pdf



03:27 PM -- Pamela Bisceglio, Advocacy Denver, spoke in support of the bill. She spoke about helping families with children with disabilities enrolled in public schools. She answered questions from the committee.



03:31 PM -- Corrine Rivera Fowler, representing Padres y Jovenes Unidos, spoke in support of the bill. She spoke on racial and gender disparities shown in the data of incidences in the state. She answered questions from the committee.



03:38 PM -- Evie Hudak, representing the Colorado Parent Teacher Association, spoke in support of the bill. She spoke about the importance of students developing self-discipline, as well as positive behavior supports.





















03:41 PM



Representative Lontine provided closing remarks to the bill.



Amendment L.005 was distributed by Representative Lundeen (Attachment C).



17HouseEd0123AttachC.pdf



03:57 PM -- Richard Sweetman, Office of Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to answer questions about amendment L.005. Committee discussion ensued.

04:09 PM



The committee adjourned.