Date: 03/19/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1240

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 09-1240 to the Committee of the WPASS



02:13 PM -- House Bill 09-1240

Senator Foster, sponsor of House Bill 09-1240, presented the bill to the committee. The bill creates the Colorado Teacher of the Year Program in the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). She explained that the program would be funded using gifts, grants, and donations.


02:15 PM

Senator Foster responded to questions from the committee. She talked about promoting people who are skilled, and about how highly skilled people can share their expertise. Senator Hudak described her experience serving on the committee that chooses the Colorado Teacher of the Year, and talked about the value of having those teachers travel for a year.


02:20 PM

Senator Foster responded to a committee question about the mentoring component of the bill.

Senator Foster responded to questions from Senator King about the rule-making provisions in the bill and about the entity with whom the CDE is to collaborate in implementing the program. Senator Foster related her experiences as a student, talking about the importance of effective teachers and the qualities that make an excellent teacher.


02:28 PM

Committee discussion with Senator Foster continued, with conversation around Senator King's questions about the private entity identified in the bill, as well as discussion around what the State Board of Education should consider in rule-making for the program.


02:30 PM

The following persons testified:


02:30 PM -- Susan Elliott, the Colorado Teacher of the Year, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Elliott explained that she is a teacher at Highlands Ranch High School. She talked about the qualities that make her an effective teacher, saying she never gives up on her students. She said quality education depends on quality, effective teachers in the classroom. Ms. Elliott talked about what the Teacher of the Year Award has meant to her. She described the number of teachers who leave the classroom after a short time and said that to become a quality educator, a teacher must stay in the classroom. She also described the benefits of a national Teacher of the Year gathering she attended.


02:39 PM

Ms. Elliott responded to committee questions and comments.


02:41 PM

Senator Foster spoke to Senator King's earlier questions around identifying effective teachers. Committee conversation ensued around the criteria for picking the Teacher of the Year, with Senator Hudak providing clarification to the criteria that is considered in choosing a teacher of the year.


02:45 PM -- Jami Goetz, representing the Colorado Department of Education, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Goetz talked about the duties of the Teacher of the Year, and the benefits the Teacher of the Year brings back to the state.

Dr. Goetz responded to committee questions about the CDE's involvement in the Teacher of the Year competition. She also confirmed that the bill is putting into statute what is the current practice. Dr. Goetz explained that there is currently no funding for the program. Senator Foster clarified that the moneys raised under the bill would be held at the Office of the State Treasurer.


02:49 PM -- Beverly Ingle, representing the Colorado Education Association, testified in support of the bill. She said the single greatest factor influencing student achievement is an effective teacher. She said having Teachers of the Year travel around the state is a good way to spread best teaching practices.


02:53 PM -- Kelly Leid, representing the Colorado Legacy Foundation, testified in support of the bill. He said the activities of the Teacher of the Year under the bill send a statement that the state values teachers and promote best practices. He said to be successful as a state, we need to get the right people into the classroom.

Mr. Leid responded to committee questions.


02:58 PM

Senator Foster provided closing comments on the bill, asking for the committee's support.
BILL:HB09-1240
TIME: 02:59:08 PM
MOVED:Heath
MOTION:Refer House Bill 09-1240 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 6-0-2 vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Groff
Excused
Heath
Yes
Hudak
Yes
King K.
Yes
Scheffel
Yes
Spence
Yes
Romer
Excused
Bacon
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS