H_ED_2018A 02/05/2018 01:36:03 PM Committee Summary

Representative Lundeen presented and summarized House Bill 18-1052 concerning exemptions to two-year higher education service areas. He answered questions from the committee regarding concurrent enrollment at the community college level.

Representative Lundeen continued to answer questions from the committee.

Dr. Landon Pirius, Colorado Community College System, testified in support of the bill. He spoke on concurrent enrollment programs in Colorado. He discussed expanding concurrent enrollment and the importance of removing barriers to provide greater opportunities for students.

Dr. Pirius answered questions from the committee regarding course offerings at community colleges.

Dr. Pirius answered questions from the committee regarding cost savings to families for concurrent enrollment and marketing current programs to increase participation.

Dr. Pirius continued to answer questions from the committee.

Representative Lundeen presented and summarized amendment L.001 [Attachment A] and amendment L.002 [Attachment B].

Representative Lundeen provided closing comments on the bill. The committee members provided closing comments on the bill.

Representative Hooton presented and summarized House Bill 18-1141, which updates statutory language regarding early childhood councils.

Senator Evie Hudak, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill. She spoke on the importance of updating the language in statutes.

Senator Hudak answered questions from the committee regarding the language in the bill.

Representative Hooton distributed and summarized amendment L.001 [Attachment C].

Representative Buck presented and summarized House Bill 18-1014 concerning social studies assessments in high school. She read letters from school district superintendents in support of the bill.

Representative Buck answered questions from the committee regarding school districts concerned with social study assessments. Committee discussion ensued. The sponsor answered questions regarding social studies courses being taught in public schools.

Mark Sass, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill. He spoke on his experience as a social studies teacher and the need to assess social studies content. Mr. Sass answered questions from the committee regarding current social studies assessments.

Mr. Sass continued to answer questions from the committee.

Committee discussion ensued.

Reilly Pharo Carter, representing Climb Higher Colorado, was neutral on the bill. She discussed current assessment testing and student proficiency. She answered questions from the committee.

Senator Evie Hudak, representing the Colorado Parent Teacher Association, spoke in favor of the bill. She spoke on assessing school performance and student proficiency data. Senator Hudak answered questions from the committee.

Senator Hudak continued to answer questions from the committee.

Committee discussion ensued.

Nate Golich, representing the Colorado Education Association, spoke in support of the bill. He spoke about the need to move to the minimum amount of testing mandated under the Every Student Succeeds Act. He answered questions from the committee.

Mr. Golich continued to answer questions from the committee.

Rob Petterson, Poudre School District Board of Education, testified in favor of the bill. He spoke on the assessment tests and current issues in the Poudre School District.

Mr. Petterson answered questions from the committee.

Cathy Kipp, Poudre School District Board of Education, spoke in favor of the bill. She also said that the Colorado Association of School Boards supports the bill. Ms. Kipp spoke on the issues of assessment testing in the Poudre School District. She answered questions from the committee.

Committee discussion ensued.

Mr. Petterson and Ms. Kipp continued to answer questions from the committee.

The bill was laid over for action only.