Date: 05/05/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB15-056

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 15-056 to the Committee on ApproPASS



01:05 PM -- SB15-056

The committee returned to order. Representative Kraft-Tharp, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 15-056, concerning reducing the frequency of administering the statewide assessment in social studies. Representative Kraft-Tharp explained the effect of the bill, and discussed its merits. Discussion ensued regarding the elective nature of the bill. Representative Kraft-Tharp responded to questions regarding the potential ramifications of reducing social studies testing in schools. Representative Pettersen provided clarification on the effect of the bill in the context of other legislation concerning student assessment testing. Mr. Josh Abram, Legislative Council Staff, responded to questions regarding the fiscal impact of the bill. Discussion followed regarding the potential for a staggered social studies testing schedule to skew the tracking of results.


01:18 PM

The following persons testified regarding SB 15-056:

01:18 PM -- Ms. Sherri Mitchell, representing Junior Achievement, Ms. Rebecca Theobald, representing the Colorado Geographic Alliance, and Mr. Rob Clinton, representing the Colorado Council for Economic Education, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Mitchell provided background on the testing of financial literacy in Colorado, and spoke in favor of this type of testing. Ms. Theobald discussed the concerns that are intended to be addressed by the bill. Mr. Clinton addressed questions raised during earlier discussion, and explained the nature of the statewide social studies assessment. Mr. Clinton also discussed the fiscal impact of the bill. Ms. Mitchell responded to questions regarding the assessment of social studies testing in Colorado. Ms. Theobald explained how the bill would reduce the overall incidence of social studies testing.


01:30 PM

Ms. Mitchell and Ms. Theobald responded to questions regarding state testing requirements as compared to national requirements, and statewide testing requirements in other states. Mr. Clinton responded to questions regarding curriculum requirements for economics and financial literacy, and the need to change curricula at the school district level to meet statewide testing standards. Ms. Mitchell and Mr. Clinton responded to questions regarding how individual schools will be selected to conduct social studies testing in a given year under the bill.


01:41 PM

No amendments were offered to SB 15-056. Representative Kraft-Tharp provided closing remarks in support of the bill. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.
BILL:SB15-056
TIME: 01:42:11 PM
MOVED:Court
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 15-056 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 13-0.
SECONDED:Pettersen
VOTE
Becker K.
Yes
Carver
Yes
Court
Yes
Dore
Yes
Foote
Yes
Lawrence
Yes
Lundeen
Yes
Pettersen
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Van Winkle
Yes
Willett
Yes
Lee
Yes
Kagan
Yes
Final YES: 13 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



01:46 PM

The committee adjourned.