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By Moira Cullen, DFER Colorado State Director
Last week, Colorado’s legislative session began with the usual fanfare and, due to term limits and redistricting, a particularly high number of new legislators being sworn into office.
The last few Colorado legislative sessions have been marked with significant education reform policy changes which were often led by DFER Colorado policy makers and had significant bipartisan support. In 2010, SB 191, Colorado’s landmark educator effectiveness law passed and 2012 marked passage of a literacy bill that is designed to have more elementary students on track to being proficient readers.
This year may very well be another landmark year for changes in Colorado’s public education policy landscape. The 2013 legislative session marks a new era in Colorado with both houses and the Governor’s office in firm control by the Democrats. Many DFER Colorado supported candidates are now in critical leadership positions including newly elected Speaker of the House Mark Ferrandino and Rep. Millie Hamner, the Chair of the House Education Committee. Democratic control will have a significant impact on how education policy is crafted in this session.
Bill concepts have already been proposed that, if passed would offer in-state tuition for undocumented Colorado high school graduates, strengthening how services are provided to English language learners, reform teacher licensure, and provide the first rewrite of Colorado’s school finance law in nearly two decades.
Last year, DFER CO was a strong supporter of the ASSET bill which would have reduced the cost of college for undocumented Colorado high school graduates who are currently required to pay the out of state tuition rate. Unfortunately, the bill died at the hands of the House Republicans. This year, however, with Speaker Ferrandino’s leadership and strong Democrat support, the ASSET bill is not only expected to pass but will also likely have a tuition rate that mirrors the same rate as documented in-state students.