Bill Summary for Bill Number HB06-1240

Date: 02/16/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1240

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Page 7, line 23, strike "TWO" and substitute "THRE Refer HB06-1240, as amended, to the Committee of t	Pass Without Objection PASS

01:51 PM -- House Bill 06-1240

Representative Marshall, prime sponsor, reviewed the provisions of House Bill 06-1240, concerning measures to improve the academic performance of unsatisfactory public schools. She reviewed specific measures in the bill that would allow local districts and the State Board of Education to work together in determining whether a school restructuring constitutes a major restructuring of governance and measures that would allow a school district or institute charter school to voluntarily restructure an unsatisfactory school.

01:57 PM

Representative Marshall responded to questions regarding the autonomy of a school district relative to the State Board of Education. She further related some of the issues that arose with the first school restructuring in the state, which concerned Cole Middle School in Denver Public Schools. Her testimony included discussion about increased flexibility under the bill.

02:01 PM

There was committee discussion about institute charter schools. Representative Benefield described the manner in which she felt the bill would help school districts address struggling schools before statutory mandates would be implemented.

02:03 PM

Mary Ellen McEldowney, representing Denver Public Schools, testified in support of the bill. She reviewed the provisions of the bill and pointed out that the bill did not repeal statutory provisions for mandatory restructuring. She described the criteria set forth in the bill, authorizing a district to do a voluntary restructuring and apply to the State Board of Education for acceptance as a restructuring. The accountability clock for mandatory restructuring could be reset under these conditions.

02:11 PM

Representative Pommer asked for clarification about the goals of the bill and commented on the role of the state in addressing unsatisfactory schools. Ms. McEldowney reviewed the circumstances of Randolph Middle School. Representative Marshall described the options for intervention available under the bill.

02:14 PM

Representative King commented on the bill and questioned whether there is evidence that the current conversion process is not the appropriate way to convert a failing school to a charter school. Representative Marshall responded to Representative King's comments and said that the primary objective of the bill is to stabilize the academic performance of schools before they become candidates for mandatory restructuring. Representative Marshall continued to describe the goals of the bill.

02:20 PM

Committee members continued to discuss the process for addressing low-performing schools under state law and under the "No Child Left Behind Act." The State Board of Education's request for additional flexibility under state law was also discussed.

02:23 PM -- Kristen Waters and Chris Anne LeHue, both from Denver Public Schools and Randolph Middle School, testified in favor of the bill. Together, they described the current circumstances and reform at Randolph Middle School. Ms. Waters discussed the proposal and modifications that they have implemented at the school since August 2005. They said that unless changes to state law are made, the school could still be subject to mandatory restructuring. Ms. Waters and Ms. LeHue were asked to specify the measures that have been implemented. They discussed the assessments that they use across subject areas.

02:31 PM

Ms. LeHue responded to comments made by Representative Pommer regarding the tension between local control and state policy. The committee continued to discuss the reform at Randolph Middle School with Ms. Waters and Ms. LeHue. They responded to questions about the mobility rate and the student demographics at the school.

02:39 PM -- Tony Salazar, representing the Colorado Education Association, testified in favor of the bill. He testified that the legislation would help with the most challenging schools in the state, while holding districts and schools accountable.


BILL:	HB06-1240
TIME:	02:41:59 PM
MOVED:	King
MOTION:	Page 7, line 23, strike "TWO" and substitute "THREE". The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Rose
		VOTE
	Benefield
	King
	Larson
	Massey
	McKinley
	Penry
	Pommer
	Rose
	Solano
	Todd
	White
	Paccione
	Merrifield
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB06-1240
TIME:	02:42:23 PM
MOVED:	Todd
MOTION:	Refer HB06-1240, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 13-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	King
		VOTE
	Benefield	Yes
	King	Yes
	Larson	Yes
	Massey	Yes
	McKinley	Yes
	Penry	Yes
	Pommer	Yes
	Rose	Yes
	Solano	Yes
	Todd	Yes
	White	Yes
	Paccione	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes
Final YES: 13 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS