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I_SFinance_2021A 10/19/2021 09:16:19 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
INTERIM COMMITTEE  LEGISLATIVE INTERIM COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL FINANCE
Date 10/19/2021
Attendance
Coleman X
Geitner E
Herod X
Kipp X
Larson X
Lundeen E
Kirkmeyer X
Zenzinger X
Time 09:16:19 AM to 02:03:18 PM
Place SCR 357
This Meeting was called to order by Zenzinger
This Report was prepared by Annie Kitch
Hearing Items Action Taken
Special Education Discussion Committee Discussion Only
Kindergarten Through 2nd Grade Post-COVID 19 Committee Discussion Only
Supporting Alternative Models for K-2 Students Committee Discussion Only

Special Education Discussion - Committee Discussion Only


09:20:35 AM  

Director Lucinda Hundley, representing the Consortium of Directors of Special Education and Jon Paul Burden, representing the Special Education Fiscal Advisory Committee (SEFAC) introduced themselves. Director Hundley provided a background on the structure of special education funding and services in Colorado. She shared a handout that provides an overview of Possible Special Education Funding Scenarios Based on the December 2020 Pupil Count. She also shared that the Consortium is working to identify how much it will cost to adequately fund each student with disabilities. Director Hundley shared that Tier B represents students that require more funding.



Mr. Burden continued the presentation by discussing Colorado special education expenditures including federal and local shares.



The presenters responded to questions from the committee regarding Tier A and B funding, funding for the different disability categories, and which of those categories require the most funding.



The materials for this presentation have been shared with committee members and can be found, here:
http://leg.colorado.gov/content/isfinance2021acommdocs

09:52:27 AM  

Director Hundley continued the presentation by sharing the Constotium's thoughts about adding an additional funding tier; however, she believes that the keeping the two tier system simple may be the best method to serve students with disabilities. Mr. Burden discussed the role of SEFAC and the suggestions included for special education funding in SEFAC's latest report.



The presenters responded to questions from the committee regarding funding outside of the School Finance Funding Formula, changing the formula for Tier A and B, and what funding is needed to fully fund Tier A and B.



The materials for this presentation have been shared with committee members and can be found, here:
http://leg.colorado.gov/content/isfinance2021acommdocs

10:19:22 AM  

Committee discussion and questions ensued.  



Kindergarten Through 2nd Grade Post-COVID 19 - Committee Discussion Only


10:45:04 AM  

The committee took a brief recess.

10:48:53 AM  

The committee reconvened.

10:55:49 AM  

Teri Crump, Kindergarten teacher, representing District 12, provided a first-hand overview on teaching special education in Colorado and suggestions that she thinks may improve the state of Special Education in Colorado.



Floyd Cobb, Melissa Colsman, and Charlotte Cianco, representing the Colorado Department of Education, then provided an overview of Colorado Preschool Programs (CPP) and the CPP eligibility risk factors. Superintendant Cianco then continued the presentation by sharing information on the impact of COVID-19 on preschool and kindergarten. Enrollment in preschool decreased from 2019-20 to 2020-21 by 4,838 children (20.6%), Enrollment in kindergarten decreased by 5,800 students (9.1%) in 2020, from 64,000 in 2019 to 58,209 students in 2020. The department is also seeing an increase in the number of students who have a significant reading deficiency.



The panelists responded to questions from the committee regarding significant reading deficiencies, the Colorado READ Act, and qualifiers for at-risk students.




The materials for this presentation have been shared with committee members and can be found, here: http://leg.colorado.gov/content/isfinance2021acommdocs  




 

11:21:25 AM  

Charlotte Cianco, Superintendent, Mapleton School District, provided an overview on what she saw in regards to lower enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, she is seeing a high demand for preschool and early childhood programming, whereas last year, the demand was low. She also shared that overall, children are entering school with more non-academic related delays which has proved to be a challenged for teachers. She stated that each child has had an incredible different experience; however, numerous students have missed out on key milestones developmentally.



Superintendent Cianco shared that free and reduced lunch (FRL) is not the only factor that counts for a community at risk. A majority of families did not submit FRL forms last year because of the pandemic, which tells schools that they cannot rely on FRL numbers to calculate at-risk. She also shared that districts need additional slots for preschools, full daycare, and mutligenerational homes where students didn't want to be exposed to COVID and then go home and put their families at risk.



Superintendent Cianco responded to questions from the committee.

 

 

11:45:16 AM  

Ms. Crump shared that the teacher shortage has been challenging because students aren't able to connect with one individual, which causes learning loss for students.

11:47:21 AM  

The committee recessed.    



Supporting Alternative Models for K-2 Students - Committee Discussion Only


01:07:47 PM  

Pamela Harris,representing Mile High Early Learning and Early Childhood Leadership Commission, provided an overview on early childhood funding streams and innovative funding and delivery models. She also described a mixed delivery system is necessary as 64% of children under 6 years have all available parents working, 62% of households—women are primary or co-breadwinners, and child care in Colorado costs 1/3 of most people's income. She also emphasized the importance of relationships and partnerships between teachers and parents during the kindergarten transition.



Ms. Harris responded to questions from the committee.




The materials for this presentation have been shared with committee members and can be found, here: http://leg.colorado.gov/content/isfinance2021acommdocs

01:27:11 PM  

Katie Nicolaou, representing Early Milestones Colorado (ECE), explained that Ideal Learning was developed by ECE researchers to create a common language to describe equity-centered learning approaches that focuses on all aspects of a child's development. She shared that Ideal Learning is ideal for Colorado because it may increase the impact of universal preschool if more children are enrolled in high-quality programs. There are a few Ideal Learning models in Colorado which include Montessori and English Learner Education.



The materials for this presentation have been shared with committee members and can be found, here: http://leg.colorado.gov/content/isfinance2021acommdocs    

01:36:59 PM  

Rachel Kelley-Cohn, representing Wildflower Schools, provided an overview of the Wildflower School model and the priority to remain small and cultivate a tight knit community. She also shared that on average, 40% of Wildflower students come from a low income background. Children of color comprise 53% of Wildflower's student body and nearly 50% of their teachers are people of color.



The materials for this presentation have been shared with committee members and can be found, here: http://leg.colorado.gov/content/isfinance2021acommdocs  




 

01:44:59 PM  

Van Schoales, representing Keystone Policy Center, discussed Keystone's latest report. Specifically, the report showed that learning gaps grew enormously during the pandemic. In addition, Colorado has not made significant progress over the last decade academically, specifically in literacy. He suggested that decisions about funding should be guided by what works for students. He also suggested that the state focus on higher quality early childhood education, with different models. He emphasized instituting more flexibility for families, cut down the financial barriers for providers, and blend funding sources to make it easier for education providers.



The panelists responded to questions from the committee.




The materials for this presentation have been shared with committee members and can be found, here: http://leg.colorado.gov/content/isfinance2021acommdocs

       



02:00:31 PM
Brita Darling, Office
of Legislative Legal Services, shared that the next committee meeting will
take place on November 5 and the committee will discuss bill requests.
The committee can request up to 10 bills but can only move 5 forward for
drafting. The committee will need at least 5 votes in order for a bill
to move forward.


02:03:18 PM   The committee adjourned.






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