s_sa_2017a_2017-04-26t13:48:02z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/26/2017

Location: SCR 357

01:50 PM -- HB17-1287



Senator Priola and Senator Kerr, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 17-1287 to the committee. This bill initiates a statewide effort to establish a vision for public education in Colorado and to create a strategic statewide education plan to achieve the vision. The bill establishes three committees to achieve the work, and requires the use of a third-party facilitator to help coordinate and support the committees. The two advisory boards are required to support and advise the steering committee in creating a vision for education, and developing and overseeing the implementation of a strategic statewide education plan.



The bill outlines four phases to complete the work of the steering committee and advisory boards. Across these four phases, and with assistance from a third-party facilitator, the project is required to:



• review and synthesize input available from the Colorado Department of Education and the Department of Higher Education concerning the state education system;

• review research to identify the critical elements of the existing state education system and benchmark those elements with critical elements implemented in other high-performing states and countries;

• create a structure and process to solicit and synthesize input from around the state;

• oversee the ongoing development and implementation of the strategic plan; and

• recommend to the General Assembly and the State Board of Education (SBE) any statutory or regulatory changes that may be necessary to implement the plan.



The steering committee must establish a time line for completing the work. Beginning November 15, 2017, and each November thereafter, the steering committee must submit an annual report to the SBE, the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, the Governor, and the Education committees of the General Assembly summarizing the work completed during that year, and recommending necessary legislative and regulatory changes. The steering and advisory committees are permanent ongoing entities and not subject to sunset review.



Senator Priola introduced amendments L.006, L.007, L.008, and L.009 (Attachments A, B, C, and D).



17SenateState0426AttachA.pdf 17SenateState0426AttachB.pdf



17SenateState0426AttachC.pdf 17SenateState0426AttachD.pdf



01:56 PM -- Mark Sass, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



02:00 PM -- Jack Teter, representing Democrats for Education Reform, testified in support of the bill.



02:01 PM -- Kelly Caufield, representing Colorado Succeeds, testified in support of the bill.



02:04 PM -- Jennifer Corrigan, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill.





02:05 PM



Senator Kerr responded to committee member questions.





02:10 PM



Senators Priola and Kerr wrapped up their presentation of the bill. Senator Priola described the proposed amendments to the bill.

02:16 PM



Committee members commented on the bill.