s_sa_2016a_2016-05-05t10:09:00z12 Hearing Summary

Date: 05/05/2016

01:24 PM -- HB16-1036



Senator Ulibarri presented House Bill 16-1036 to the committee. Under current law, Colorado’s public schools are required to teach the history and civil government of the United States, including the history, culture and contributions of American Indians, Hispanic Americans, and African Americans. Completion of a course in civil government is a requirement for high school graduation. This bill, as amended by the House Education Committee, requires that schools also teach the history and civil government of the state of Colorado, and the history, culture, and contributions of Asian Americans.



The bill creates the 15-member History, Culture, and Civil Government in Education Commission (commission) and sets the conditions for the commission’s selection and composition. The commission must make recommendations to the State Board of Education (SBE) and the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) related to the learning of history, culture, and civil government. In addition, the commission must:



• assist the CDE and local school boards with the creation of content standards and instructional programs that address the bill's expanded requirements;

• participate in community forums held by school districts related to civic education; and

• make recommendations for revising state education standards to the CDE and the SBE.



Commission members must be appointed no later than August 15, 2016, and serve without compensation; however, members may be reimbursed for actual and reasonable expenses. In addition to attending the community forums, the commission is required to meet at least twice annually, beginning in September 2016.



01:27 PM -- Johnnie Nguyen, representing CU Denver Student Government, testified in support of the bill.



01:28 PM -- Ariana Nikmanesh, representing CU Denver Student Government, testified in support of the bill.





01:29 PM



The committee took a brief recess.





01:36 PM



The committee reconvened.



01:36 PM -- Dr. Ramon Del Castillo, representing Metropolitan State University of Denver, testified in support of the bill.



01:40 PM -- Ricardo Martinez, representing Padres y Jovenes Unidos, testified in support of the bill.



01:43 PM -- Luis Torres, representing NACES, testified in support of the bill.



01:48 PM -- Nita Gonzales, representing Escuela Tlatelolco, testified in support of the bill.





01:55 PM



The committee took a brief recess.





01:59 PM



The committee reconvened.