S_ED_2018A 03/29/2018 01:36:37 PM Committee Summary

Mr. Wilson introduced himself and told the committee about his background and about why he would like to be reappointed to the board.  Mr. Pound told the committee about himself and about why he would like to be reappointed to the board.  Mr. Heller answered questions from the committee.

The appointee and reappointee answered questions from the committee.

Senator Hill invited the next group of presenters to come to the table.  Suzanne Banning, President and CEO of Florence Crittendon, and Jennifer Douglas, Executive Director of New Legacy Charter School, came to the table and introduced themselves.  Ms. Douglas provided background information about New Legacy, and spoke about the school's culture and curriculum, the importance of wraparound services, and the early learning center provided for the children of the high school students served at the school.  She discussed a requirement that the students at the school take parenting classes.

Ms. Banning told the committee about Florence Crittendon, and spoke about the school's public-private partnership with Denver Public Schools.  She provided statistics about graduation rates and various types of models around the state for educating teen parents.  Anne Burriss from Aurora Public Schools spoke about the Teen Parent Collaborative of health care centers, nonprofits, child care centers, and schools.  

The panelists spoke about funding needs, Colorado Child Care Assistance Program funding, and the need for policies addressing issues that specifically affect teen parents.  The panelists answered questions about services helping teen parents to bridge the gap between graduating high school and going on to postsecondary opportunities.

The panelists continued to answer questions from the committee.

Senator Martinez Humenik, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-213 which concerns requiring local school districts to recognize academic credits earned by students in the custody of the Division on Youth Services.

Minna Castillo-Cohen, representing the Colorado Department of Human Services, spoke in support of the bill.

Senator Crowder, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-215 which concerns additional funding for rural schools for the 2018-19 budget year.  He requested that the bill to be laid over.  Senator Hill laid the bill over until a future date.

Senators Priola and Kerr, co-sponsors, presented Senate Bill 18-206 which concerns ensuring affordability at public research universities in Colorado.

David Lopez, representing himself, spoke in support of the bill.

Jackson Rueter, representing himself, spoke in support of the bill.

The preceding witnesses answered questions from the committee.

Mike Feeley, representing the Colorado State University System, spoke in support of the bill.

Peter Han, representing the Colorado School of Mines, spoke in support of the bill.