Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB05-1087

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes:
Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.003 (Attachment A). The motion
Moved conceptual amendment to change the membershi
Page 5, line 7, after "PUBLIC", insert "OR PRIVATE
Refer HB 05-1087, as amended, to the Committee of 		Pass Without Objection
TIE
Pass Without Objection
PASS

03:36 PM -- Call to Order

The committee was called to order by the chairman, Senator Windels.


01:36 PM -- House Bill 05-1087

Senator Williams, bill sponsor, explained the provisions of House Bill 05-1087, which concerns provision of international education in public schools. She explained that the bill requires the State Board of Education to establish an international education advisory council. She described the council and its membership. She noted that the bill is funded through gifts, grants, and donations. She referred the committee to a notebook provided to committee members at an earlier time that describes the bill and the importance of its provisions.


01:40 PM

Senator Tupa remarked on the information provided in the notebook. He asked about the length of time the council is to be in existence. Senator Williams asked Senator Tupa to address his question to the witnesses. Senator Spence asked if the council would be able to attract members from outside the metro area. Senator Williams noted that several foundations have voiced interest in providing the gifts, grants, and donations, and that the funding to allow participation throughout the state will likely be available.


01:44 PM

The following persons testified:


01:44 PM -- Mark Montgomery, representing the Center for Teaching International Relations, testified in support of the bill. He related statistics on American young people's world knowledge and the young people's desire to learn about the world. He noted that international education is not a separate curriculum, and is not just for urban, elite, and gifted students. Mr. Montgomery said international education provides a context for the world and for local communities. He noted that it is a part of the current model content standards. He described current successful international education programs in the state. He remarked on a national movement to provide international education in schools.


01:50 PM

Mr. Mongomery responded to a question from Senator Tupa regarding the council. He noted that the purpose of the council is to highlight what is currently being done well in international education in the state. Senator Evans asked about the involvement of local school boards in the advisory council. Senator Williams responded, noting that the bill does call for one member of the council to be a representative of a statewide organization that represents school boards. Senator Evans made follow-up comments, noting that one member may not be enough. Mr. Mongomery responded to Senator Evans' remarks, describing current efforts to educate school boards in the area of international education. Senator Evans made further comments on the membership of the council.


01:57 PM

Senator Williams responded to Senator Evans' comments. Senator Bacon commented on the University of Colorado's requirement that incoming students take geography courses, noting that universities do have some say in encouraging school districts to make sure that students have some international education. He asked the witness if other institutions of higher education have similar requirements. Mr. Montgomery responded that he did not know of any, but that the University of Colorado's requirement was behind the decision to put a representative from the Colorado Commission on Higher Education on the council.


01:59 PM -- Joe Rice, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He noted the importance of international education to business. He commented on his background in working with the Cherry Creek School District. He described his experience as an Army Reservist in Iraq in working with Iraqis in democracy building. He noted that soldiers who had international education and civics backgrounds were the most successful in this endeavor.


02:02 PM -- Jim Reis, representing the Rocky Mountain World Trade Center Association, testified in support of the bill. He commented on his organization's mission to make Colorado an attractive place for international business. He related statistics on the growth of exports from Colorado and the jobs and money international business generates for the Colorado economy. He remarked on foreign investment in Colorado. He spoke about the foreign consulates in Colorado and visiting trade delegations. He said Colorado is a beneficiary of globalization. He noted that the people who are going to be most successful in the 21st century are those who understand and respect other countries, economies, and cultures. He remarked on how much the rest of the world knows about America in relation to how much Americans know about the rest of the world. He said Colorado should be at the forefront of international education. Senator Spence commented on the outsourcing legislation making its way through the General Assembly.


02:09 PM -- Dagmar Haney, representing the Colorado Congress of Foreign Language Teachers, testified in support of the bill. She described her organization and its membership. She provided her background to the committee. She commented on the foreign language aspect of the bill and the need for expansion of foreign language programs statewide. She noted that many teachers are providing international education, but do not realize it. She said she is excited about the bill and asked for the committee's support. Ms. Haney responded to a question from Senator Tupa regarding Latin.


02:15 PM

Senator Williams provided closing remarks. She noted the bill is not a curriculum mandate and that it poses no fiscal burden.
BILL:HB05-1087
TIME: 02:16:42 PM
MOVED:Evans
MOTION:Page 5, line 7, after "PUBLIC", insert "OR PRIVATE". The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Evans
Jones
Spence
Tupa
Williams
Bacon
Windels
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB05-1087
TIME: 02:18:31 PM
MOVED:Evans
MOTION:Moved conceptual amendment to change the membership of the council. The committee discussed the proposed change. Mr. Montgomery returned to the table to address the proposed amendment. After further discussion, the amendment was withdrawn by Senator Evans.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Evans
Jones
Spence
Tupa
Williams
Bacon
Windels
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: TIE

BILL:HB05-1087
TIME: 02:26:51 PM
MOVED:Williams
MOTION:Moved amendment L.003 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Evans
Jones
Spence
Tupa
Williams
Bacon
Windels
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB05-1087
TIME: 02:30:07 PM
MOVED:Williams
MOTION:Refer HB 05-1087, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 7 - 0 vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Evans
Yes
Jones
Yes
Spence
Yes
Tupa
Yes
Williams
Yes
Bacon
Yes
Windels
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS