Date: 02/11/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-160

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment F). The motion
Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment G). The motion
Moved amendment L.003 (Attachment H). The motion
Refer Senate Bill 09-160, as amended, to the Commi
Pass Without Objection
Pass Without Objection
Pass Without Objection
PASS



12:01 PM -- Senate Bill 09-160

Senator Hudak, sponsor of Senate Bill 09-160, presented the bill. The bill concerns the recommendations of the P-20 Council related to educator licensure.


12:05 PM

The following persons testified:


12:05 PM --
Lieutenant Governor Barbara O'Brien, representing the P-20 Council, testified in support of the bill. She explained the need for the bill, and provided a handout (Attachment E).

090211AttachE.pdf


12:07 PM --
Floyd Beard, representing the Colorado Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) Association, testified in support of the bill. He told the committee about Teacher in Residence programs run by BOCES. He expressed a concern about language related to minimum coursework standards on page 7 of the bill. Mr. Beard also expressed concern about the bill's requirement for on-site evaluations. He talked about the number of people who have gone through BOCES programs, and said the programs are rigorous and accountable.

Mr. Beard responded to questions from the committee, including a question from Senator King about whether these programs require college coursework. Mr. Beard said the BOCES bring instructors to the field to offer instruction for these programs.


12:15 PM

Senator Hudak responded to Mr. Beard's testimony, speaking to a number of his concerns.


12:17 PM --
Zack Neumeyer, representing the Systems and Transformations Subcommittee of the P-20 Council, Colorado Succeeds, and Sage Hospitality, testified in support of the bill. He said the bill provides more opportunities for students to establish a relationship with accomplished adults in the classroom.

Senator Romer commented about where this idea is on the priority list of businesses.


12:20 PM --
Sean Vanberschot, representing Teach for America, testified in support of the bill. He described Teach for America and why it supports the bill.

He responded to committee questions, including a question from Senator Heath about how the bill will help attract teachers to the Teach for American program. Senator Romer commented that he is concerned that Teach for America teachers do not stay in the profession long enough, and asked if the bill would help with that issue. Mr. Vanberschot responded, talking about the number of Teach for America teachers that stay in education. He also talked about how Teach for America places teachers around the country.


12:25 PM --
Robert Reichardt, representing the Educator Subcommittee of the P-20 Council, testified in support of the bill. He talked about the make-up of the subcommittee and its focus. He commented that the current system is outdated and unaligned. The intent of the bill, he said, is to create flexibility for those who prepare teachers, and to create a clear path for people who want to become teachers. Mr. Reichardt said he has evaluated alternative teacher programs, and said he found a hodgepodge of programs in the attempt to be innovative.


12:30 PM --
Richard Wenning and Jami Goetz, Colorado Department of Education (CDE), testified in support of the bill. Dr. Wenning said the amendments address some concerns of the CDE.

Dr. Goetz expressed support for the bill and said it will improve access for people who want to become teachers.

The witnesses responded to committee questions. Senator Romer asked the witnesses whether they support the amendments. Senator Spence asked how the bill would impact a program in Douglas County operated under a waiver. Dr. Wenning clarified that the bill would not have an impact on programs such as the one in Douglas County. Senator Hudak said amendment L.001 addresses this issue.


12:34 PM

BILL:SB09-160
TIME: 12:34:40 PM
MOVED:Hudak
MOTION:Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment F). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Groff
Heath
Hudak
King K.
Scheffel
Spence
Romer
Bacon
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

090211AttachF.pdf

12:38 PM

Dr. Matt Gianneschi came to the table to explain amendment L.002.

BILL:SB09-160
TIME: 12:38:30 PM
MOVED:Hudak
MOTION:Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment G). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Groff
Heath
Hudak
King K.
Scheffel
Spence
Romer
Bacon
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

090211AttachG.pdf

BILL:SB09-160
TIME: 12:39:54 PM
MOVED:Hudak
MOTION:Moved amendment L.003 (Attachment H). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Groff
Heath
Hudak
King K.
Scheffel
Spence
Romer
Bacon
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

090211AttachH.pdf

12:41 PM

Senator Romer made comments about the bill and about President Obama's statement on education innovation.

Senator Spence asked for clarification around language on page 11, line 20, asking what constitutes "good cause." Senator Hudak replied, saying this is the same language as is in current law, and responding to the question.


BILL:SB09-160
TIME: 12:41:58 PM
MOVED:Hudak
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 09-160, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a 7-0-1 vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Groff
Excused
Heath
Yes
Hudak
Yes
King K.
Yes
Scheffel
Yes
Spence
Yes
Romer
Yes
Bacon
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



12:45 PM

The committee adjourned.