House Committee on Education (02/08/2010)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Date:	02/08/2010	ATTENDANCE

Time:	01:31 PM to 04:39 PM	Benefield	X
		Massey	X
Place:	HCR 0112	McNulty	X
		Middleton	*
This Meeting was called to order by		Murray	X
	Representative Merrifield	Peniston	X
		Scanlan	X
This Report was prepared by		Schafer S.	X
	Katey McGettrick	Summers	*
		Tipton	X
		Todd	X
		Solano	X
		Merrifield	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
HB10-1131 HB10-1054 HB10-1171 HB10-1183		Amended, Referred to Appropriations Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole

01:31 PM -- House Bill 10-1131

Representative Scanlan, sponsor of House Bill 10-1131, concerning the Colorado Kids Outdoors Grant Program, presented the bill to the committee and shared handouts with the committee (Attachment A). She also distributed written testimony from Choose Outdoors and LiveWell Colorado (Attachment B).

01:36 PM

The following people testified on the bill:

01:37 PM -- Lieutenant Governor Barbara O'Brien testified in support of the bill and discussed the culture of fear surrounding many parents who are concerned about letting their children play outside.

01:39 PM

Representative McNulty noted the value of having such a program but asked why this must be a government program. Representative Scanlan responded that it centralizes the program and establishes a cornerstone in Colorado for youth outdoor programs. Representative McNulty continued to ask questions about the program curriculum and how the use of the environment may be presented to children. Representative Scanlan responded to his concerns, noting that programs have approached education in a non-biased, non-advocacy manner. She explained the change in environmental education over the past twenty years, which has evolved into lessons about stewardship and environmental literacy.

01:44 PM

Representative Todd responded to Representative McNulty's question about why it should be a government program. She explained the importance of environmental education as an integral part of learning, as opposed to a purely recreational activity. Lieutenant Governor O'Brien and Representative Scanlan responded to Representative Todd's comments.

01:48 PM

Representative Tipton expressed concern about the ability of rural communities to participate in the program. Representative Scanlan responded to his comments, noting that rural school district demographics mirror the demographics of metropolitan school districts.

The following students from Summit Cove Elementary School testified on the bill:

01:50 PM -- Sam Hull testified in support of the bill and discussed the importance of outdoor education in his life.

01:53 PM -- Shaun McGrath discussed the importance of exercise and being outside. She explained that she enjoys the chance to get fresh air because it helps her concentrate better in class.

01:54 PM -- Katelyn Keen shared what it is like to live in Summit County and have the opportunity to hike and ski whenever she wants.

01:56 PM -- Slav Uglyar explained why he supports House Bill 10-1131. He highlighted his experience with the Keystone Science Center and how he carries those memories with him.

01:57 PM -- Loren Keen explained that she has grown up in Summit County and shared her school experiences with being in nature.

02:01 PM

The following people testified on the bill:

02:01 PM -- Ann Kurronen, representing the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, testified in support of the bill and shared information about the gardens. She discussed how students are overscheduled and frequently do not have the opportunity to get outside or to have free time.

02:04 PM -- John Gale, representing himself, testified in support of the bill and noted that he is an avid hunter and fisher. He noted the importance of cultivating an interest of the outdoors with children.

02:07 PM

Representative McNulty responded to Mr. Gale's comments about hunting and fishing, explaining that he is concerned that there are segments of the environmental community that do not believe hunting and fishing should be a part of outdoor education. Representative Scanlan explained that there is an amendment to include these activities in the legislative declaration.

02:09 PM -- Markian Feduschak, representing the Gore Range Natural Science School, testified in support of the bill and shared his experience with outdoor education.

02:13 PM

Representative Summers asked if, under the bill, the state operates as a fundraising agent who will distribute the funds. Representative Scanlan explained that fundraising would happen within the Department of Natural Resources, who will also market the program.

02:16 PM -- Ian Steyn, representing the Outdoor Experience, testified in support of the bill and stated that he believes Colorado has the opportunity to be the leader in outdoor education. He noted the economic benefits of promoting outdoor education.

02:21 PM -- Kristine Knuti, representing Denver Health, testified in support of the bill and discussed a camp where she volunteers that provides outdoor opportunities to sick children. She shared her experience as a pediatrician who serves low-income children.

02:24 PM -- Bob Hewson, representing Colorado Youth Outdoors, testified in support of the bill and shared feedback he received from parents and youth who participated in their outdoor programs.

02:28 PM -- Codie Walton, representing the Larimer County Youth Conservation Corps, testified in support of the bill and explained her experience working with the corps. She shared what she has learned as a youth corps member. She also noted the popularity of the program and how competitive the application process is.

02:31 PM -- Kelly Keena, representing the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, testified in support of the bill and shared her experience as a teacher at Castle Rock Elementary School. She explained that the school has a schoolyard habitat where the students can explore nature.

02:35 PM

Ms. Keena responded to questions from Representative McNulty regarding the meaning of environmental education. She discussed the range of the curriculum, which depends on a student's grade level. She also responded to a question from Representative Murray who asked about the school's Estes Park program.

02:37 PM -- Julie Gustafson, representing the National Wildlife Federation, testified in support of the bill and discussed the federal initiative No Child Left Inside, which will provide states with funding to implement environmental literacy plans.

02:40 PM

Ms. Gustafson responded to questions about the federal initiative from Representative Tipton, who asked what kind of strings are attached to the federal funding. Ms. Gustafson explained that the state must establish an environmental literacy plan in collaboration with the state board of education.

02:43 PM -- Karen Hollweg, representing the North American Association for Environmental Education, testified in support of the bill and discussed the impact on standardized scores in schools with outdoor education programs.

02:47 PM -- Fauna Czyzyk, representing GOALS, testified in support of the bill and explained the importance of outdoor education in her life.

02:47 PM -- Katie Navin, representing the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, testified in support of the bill and noted the importance of states having an environmental literacy plan.

02:48 PM

Representative McNulty asked Ms. Navin how she defines environmental literacy. She explained that environmental literacy teaches youth how to think about the environment, not what to think about it. She explained the courses she teaches to educators during the summer on environmental issues. Conversation on this topic ensued between Ms. Navin and the committee.

02:54 PM -- Ellen Reid, representing the Keystone Science School, testified in support of the bill and discussed the role of the school in providing outdoor education to youth.

02:58 PM

Ms. Reid responded to questions from Representative Scanlan on how the students learn about environmental issues at the Keystone Science School. Representative Scanlan provided an example that students worked through to learn about the environment. Representative Murray asked if the state is drafting environmental literacy standards. Representative Scanlan explained that those standards will not be drafted until there is funding to implement them. Representative Todd stated that she believes that the science standards includes some environmental literacy. Ms. Navin returned to the table to respond to the question about standards.

03:06 PM -- Brendan McGuire, representing Vail Resorts, testified in support of the bill and discussed their environmental programs for youth.

03:08 PM -- Arn Menconi, representing SOS Outreach, testified in support of the bill and shared the work of his organization which provides opportunities to low-income youth to participate in outdoor recreation such as skiing. He noted the decline of youth participation in outdoor activities. He noted the high rate of incidence of mental health issues among the youth that participate in his outdoor programs.

03:13 PM -- Rodney Beall, representing Gore Range Natural Science School, testified in support of the bill and shared his role as a teacher at the school.

03:19 PM -- Chad Young, representing the Vail Recreation District, testified in support of the bill and discussed the program Camp Vail, which focuses on outdoor recreation activities.

03:22 PM

Representative Scanlan moved amendment L.001 (see vote sheet below). Representative Tipton raised concerns that the changes in the amendment open up the possibility for future General Fund monies to be used for the program and he wanted to ensure that this did not happen. Mike King, representing the Department of Natural Resources, responded to his concerns. Upon committee discussion, an amendment was moved to L.001 to clarify the prohibition of using General Fund monies.


BILL:	HB10-1131
TIME:	03:22:01 PM
MOVED:	Scanlan
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment C), as amended (see vote sheet below). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Todd
		VOTE
	Benefield
	Massey
	McNulty
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Scanlan
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Tipton
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB10-1131
TIME:	03:31:09 PM
MOVED:	Scanlan
MOTION:	Moved to amend L.001, page 1, line 8 after "SECTION." insert "THE GRANT PROGRAM SHALL NOT RECEIVE APPROPRIATIONS OF GENERAL FUND MONEYS.". The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Benefield
		VOTE
	Benefield
	Massey
	McNulty
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Scanlan
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Tipton
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass without Objection


BILL:	HB10-1131
TIME:	03:32:20 PM
MOVED:	Scanlan
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Benefield
		VOTE
	Benefield
	Massey
	McNulty
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Scanlan
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Tipton
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB10-1131
TIME:	03:33:50 PM
MOVED:	Scanlan
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 10-1131, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a 9-3-1 vote.
SECONDED:	Benefield
		VOTE
	Benefield	Yes
	Massey	Excused
	McNulty	Yes
	Middleton	Yes
	Murray	No
	Peniston	Yes
	Scanlan	Yes
	Schafer S.	Yes
	Summers	No
	Tipton	No
	Todd	Yes
	Solano	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes

Final YES: 9 NO: 3 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:48 PM -- House Bill 10-1054

Representative S. King, sponsor of House Bill 10-1054, concerning higher education safety protocols, explained the strike everything below the enacting clause (SEBEC) amendment he would like offered in committee. The committee previously heard witness testimony and discussed House Bill 10-1054 on January 28, 2010. Please refer to that committee summary for more information.


BILL:	HB10-1054
TIME:	03:49:20 PM
MOVED:	Summers
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment E) as amended (see vote sheet below). The amendment strikes everything below the enacting clause. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Todd
		VOTE
	Benefield
	Massey
	McNulty
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Scanlan
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Tipton
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB10-1054
TIME:	03:52:18 PM
MOVED:	Solano
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.003 (Attachment F), which amends L.002. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Todd
		VOTE
	Benefield
	Massey
	McNulty
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Scanlan
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Tipton
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

03:55 PM

Representative King concluded his remarks on the bill and asked for the committee's support. Representative Middleton presented concerns with the bill regarding the requirements made of higher education institutions. She stated that she believes that there is more buy-in when higher education institutions collaborate together instead of trying to meet a mandate in state law.


BILL:	HB10-1054
TIME:	04:00:42 PM
MOVED:	McNulty
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 10-1054, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 12-0-1 vote.
SECONDED:	Tipton
		VOTE
	Benefield	Yes
	Massey	Excused
	McNulty	Yes
	Middleton	Yes
	Murray	Yes
	Peniston	Yes
	Scanlan	Yes
	Schafer S.	Yes
	Summers	Yes
	Tipton	Yes
	Todd	Yes
	Solano	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes

Final YES: 12 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

04:01 PM -- House Bill 10-1171

Representative Benefield, sponsor of House Bill 10-1171, concerning the repeal of certain school reporting requirements, presented the bill to the committee.

04:03 PM

The following people testified on the bill:

04:03 PM -- Bruce Caughey, representing the Colorado Association of School Executives, testified in support of the bill and thanked the sponsor for identifying unnecessary reporting requirements for school districts. He noted the impact of reporting requirements on school districts, particularly in these economic times. He responded to questions from the committee.

04:07 PM -- Lisa Escarcega, representing the Education Data Advisory Committee and Aurora Public Schools, testified in support of the bill and reviewed the provisions that are being repealed in the bill.

04:13 PM -- Jane Urschel, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards, testified in support of the bill.


BILL:	HB10-1171
TIME:	04:15:14 PM
MOVED:	Benefield
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment G). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Todd
		VOTE
	Benefield
	Massey
	McNulty
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Scanlan
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Tipton
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB10-1171
TIME:	04:16:36 PM
MOVED:	Benefield
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 10-1171, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 12-0-1 vote.
SECONDED:	Murray
		VOTE
	Benefield	Yes
	Massey	Excused
	McNulty	Yes
	Middleton	Yes
	Murray	Yes
	Peniston	Yes
	Scanlan	Yes
	Schafer S.	Yes
	Summers	Yes
	Tipton	Yes
	Todd	Yes
	Solano	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes

Final YES: 12 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

04:17 PM -- House Bill 10-1183

Representative Middleton, sponsor of House Bill 10-1183, concerning alternative school finance models, presented the bill to the committee and shared a handout with committee members (Attachment H). She responded to questions from the committee members.

04:25 PM

The following people testified on the bill:

04:25 PM -- Scott Groginsky, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill and explained the benefits of providing alternative school finance models to school districts.

04:27 PM -- Randy DeHoff, representing the State Board of Education, testified in support of the bill and discussed the benefit for school districts to try new models without penalty. He responded to questions from the committee regarding the workload effect on the Colorado Department of Education.

04:30 PM

Representative Middleton also responded to the question and explained that many of the school districts that would participate are currently using alternative funding models. Representative Solano asked if individual schools and school districts are able to participate in the pilot program. Conversation on this topic ensued.


BILL:	HB10-1183
TIME:	04:34:20 PM
MOVED:	Middleton
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment I). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Todd
		VOTE
	Benefield
	Massey
	McNulty
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Scanlan
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Tipton
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB10-1183
TIME:	04:35:10 PM
MOVED:	Middleton
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment J). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Todd
		VOTE
	Benefield
	Massey
	McNulty
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Scanlan
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Tipton
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB10-1183
TIME:	04:36:46 PM
MOVED:	Middleton
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.003 (Attachment K). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Schafer S.
		VOTE
	Benefield
	Massey
	McNulty
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Scanlan
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Tipton
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB10-1183
TIME:	04:37:17 PM
MOVED:	Middleton
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.004 (Attachment L). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Schafer S.
		VOTE
	Benefield
	Massey
	McNulty
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Scanlan
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Tipton
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

04:38 PM

Representative Middleton concluded remarks on the bill and asked for the committee's support of the bill.


BILL:	HB10-1183
TIME:	04:38:45 PM
MOVED:	Middleton
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 10-1183, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 11-0-2 vote.
SECONDED:	Scanlan
		VOTE
	Benefield	Yes
	Massey	Excused
	McNulty	Excused
	Middleton	Yes
	Murray	Yes
	Peniston	Yes
	Scanlan	Yes
	Schafer S.	Yes
	Summers	Yes
	Tipton	Yes
	Todd	Yes
	Solano	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes

Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

04:39 PM

The committee adjourned.