Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COMMITTEE ON JOINT EDUCATION

Date:03/20/2013
ATTENDANCE
Time:07:49 AM to 08:47 AM
Buckner
Court
Place:HCR 0112
Everett
Fields
This Meeting was called to order by
Heath
Representative Hamner
Hill
Holbert
This Report was prepared by
Johnston
Kristen Johnson
Kerr
Landgraf
Marble
Murray
Peniston
Pettersen
Priola
Renfroe
Scheffel
Todd
Wilson
Young
Hamner
Hudak
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
ECS Presentation - Civics
CDE SACPIE Presentation		Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only
Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only


07:49 AM -- ECS Presentation - Civics

Representative Hamner, Chair of the House Education Committee, called the meeting to order. She did not take roll. Representative Hamner invited Molly Ryan, Associate Policy Analyst, Education Commission of the States (ECS), to the table to make a presentation on civics education. Ms. Ryan came to the table and began her presentation by providing background information on ECS, and stated that the focus of ECS is on the P-20 continuum of education. She provided a packet to the members of the committee (Attachments A through D). She discussed the meaning of the term civics education and stated that it includes learning about citizenship, government, law, and current events. She stated that since the 1960's, there has been a decline in civics education and that students today normally take only one civics course, whereas previously, students would take three courses in civics. She discussed the reasons why civics education has been on the decline, and the efforts being undertaken to create a resurgence in the subject. She stated that research shows that high quality civic learning increases student engagement.








13JtEd0320AttachA.pdf13JtEd0320AttachA.pdf 13JtEd0320AttachB.pdf13JtEd0320AttachB.pdf

13JtEd0320AttachC.pdf13JtEd0320AttachC.pdf 13JtEd0320AttachD.pdf13JtEd0320AttachD.pdf


She discussed the six keys to providing high quality civics education, including: classroom instruction on topics of interest to students; discussion of current events and controversial issues; service learning that utilizes community service tied to the curriculum; extracurricular activities; school governance that involves students in mock legislatures, mock trials, and debate; and simulations of the democratic process that provide students with the opportunity to work with people who do not share their point of view. She stated that research shows that civics learning is not flat, but rather, active learning. She stated that the six proven practices are to be used in conjunction with each other.


08:05 AM

Representative Young asked about funding cuts for certain civics education programs such as We the People. Ms. Ryan responded that funding has been cut at the federal level and that these programs will most likely not receive federal funding in the future. Representative Wilson asked about the six proven practices and the research showing them to be effective. Ms. Ryan referred to Attachment D. Representative Wilson asked if the six proven methods have had an impact on test scores. Ms. Ryan said that test scores have not been specifically studied in relation to civics education, but that the methods have shown a positive impact on student engagement.


08:14 AM -- CDE SACPIE Presentation

Dr. Cathy Lines, Chair, State Advisory Council for Parent Involvement in Education (SACPIE), came to the table to present. She was joined at the table by Richard Garcia, member of SACPIE. Dr. Lines distributed handouts to the committee members (Attachments E and F). She provided background information on SACPIE, stating that in 2009, legislation was passed which created the council. She discussed the makeup of SACPIE which includes stakeholders from several organizations. Dr. Lines discussed SACPIE's primary objectives which are to: inform stakeholder groups about best practices for promoting family-school partnerships; recommend statewide family partnership initiatives; and to seek funding to develop a grant program; and she discussed the overarching goal of SACPIE which is to partner with Colorado's families in maximizing the potential of every student.

13JtEd0320AttachE.pdf13JtEd0320AttachE.pdf 13JtEd0320AttachF.pdf13JtEd0320AttachF.pdf












Representative Hamner asked how SACPIE's progress is being measured. Mr. Garcia responded that SACPIE's metrics are not clearly defined at this time, but that research shows that the more parents are involved in education, the fewer dropouts there are. Committee discussion ensued about measuring SACPIE's progress and the voluntary nature of SACPIE's membership.

Mr. Garcia explained that there is no money attached to the legislation that created SACPIE and that there are not currently resources to fund the creation of metrics. Dr. Lines discussed her role at the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). Dr. Keith Owen, Deputy Commissioner, CDE, came to the table and told the committee about CDE's role in supporting SACPIE. Committee discussion ensued about the role of parent liaisons in schools, especially in rural school districts. Mr. Garcia stated that parental engagement should be considered to be a major component of school reform. Dr. Owen discussed CDE's support for rural school districts. Representative Buckner discussed ways to increase involvement by parents of color. Dr. Owen provided closing comments to the presentation.


08:47 AM

The committee adjourned.