Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Date:01/24/2006
ATTENDANCE
Time:09:40 AM to 11:23 AM
Benefield
X
King
X
Place:HCR 0107
Larson
E*
Massey
X
This Meeting was called to order by
McKinley
X
Representative Merrifield
Penry
E*
Pommer
X
This Report was prepared by
Rose
X
Cathy Eslinger
Solano
X
Todd
X
White
X
Paccione
X
Merrifield
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB06-1008
HB06-1023		Amended, Referred to Appropriations
Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole


09:41 AM -- Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by the chairman, Representative Merrifield.

09:42 AM -- House Bill 06-1008

Representative Massey reviewed the provisions of House Bill 06-1008, concerning reimbursement for supplemental on-line education courses. He discussed the needs faced in rural school districts.

09:44 AM

The following persons testified:

09:44 AM -- Tim Snyder, representing Colorado On-line Learning, testified in support of the bill. He reviewed the reasons for bringing the bill, which provides for reimbursement on a per-student basis. It applies to school districts with enrollment below 3,000 students and to charter schools. He said that the bill would not apply to courses taken for college credit. Mr. Snyder responded to questions about potential amendments to the bill. Representative King raised questions about cost differentials for on-line schools.




09:53 AM

Mr. Snyder continued his comments by discussing the usual cost for providing a supplemental on-line course. Representative King discussed potential concerns about providing the extra funding for supplemental courses. Representative Pommer discussed the new requirements for entering four-year institutions and the fact that small school districts may need to offer additional courses in preparing its high school graduates.

09:59 AM

Representative Penry asked Mr. Snyder and Representative Massey about the determination of the 3,000-student threshold. The fiscal impact of the program was discussed. Representative Penry also raised questions about whether the program could be a grant program. Representative Massey reminded the committee that the 3,000-student threshold had been used in other legislation. He also discussed the difficulties that small districts may face in writing grants.

10:04 AM -- Jane Urschel, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards, testified in support of the bill. She said that the need in school districts is great and well-documented.

10:07 AM -- Tony Salazar, representing the Colorado Education Association, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the concern about the 3,000-student threshold.

10:11 AM -- Phil Fox, representing the Colorado Association of School Executives, testified in support of the bill.

10:13 AM

Representative Massey moved amendment L.002 (Attachment A). He requested that Mr. Snyder return to the table to discuss the amendment. Representative King raised questions regarding the funding for students who take more than half of their coursework through on-line coursework.

10:19 AM

Vody Herrmann, Colorado Department of Education (CDE), came to the table to explain the difference in the manner in which the state funds students taking a supplemental on-line course versus a student who is enrolled in an on-line program full-time.



10:22 AM

Julie Pelegrin, Office of Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to discuss the definitions in amendment L.002. The committee continued to discuss the provisions of the amendment.
BILL:HB06-1008
TIME: 10:25:28 AM
MOVED:Massey
MOTION:Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:White
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:HB06-1008
TIME: 10:27:13 AM
MOVED:Massey
MOTION:Refer HB 06-1008, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on an 11-1-1 roll call vote.
SECONDED:White
VOTE
Benefield
Excused
King
No
Larson
Yes
Massey
Yes
McKinley
Yes
Penry
Yes
Pommer
Yes
Rose
Yes
Solano
Yes
Todd
Yes
White
Yes
Paccione
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 1 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


10:28 PM

The committee took a brief recess.

10:32 AM -- House Bill 06-1023

The committee came back to order. Representative King reviewed the provisions of House Bill 06-1023, concerning educator licensing. He said that the bill continues an effort to clean up statutes that govern educator licensing. He requested that Dorothy Gotlieb, Colorado Department of Education, review the bill for the committee.

10:34 AM

The following persons testified:

10:34 AM -- Dorothy Gotlieb, representing the Colorado Department of Education, reviewed the specific changes in licensing that the bill includes. She explained the impact of requirements for "highly qualified" teachers on the issuance of emergency authorizations.

10:39 AM

Ms. Gotlieb continued her review of the bill by discussing the requirements for principal licensure. She commented on the bill's provisions for a professional principal license, particularly for the candidates who have completed an induction program. Ms. Gotlieb responded to questions about the portion of the bill that addresses principal licensure.

10:44 AM

Representative Merrifield raised his concerns regarding the amendments to statutes on principal licensure. Representative King discussed the differences between an initial principal license and a professional principal license. Representative Paccione said that she is unsure whether there should be alternative licensing for principals. Ms. Gotlieb responded to the concerns that were raised and reviewed the standards for principal licensing. Representative Paccione responded to Ms. Gotlieb's explanation and said that she sees the bill as a weakening of standards for principal licensing.

10:55 AM -- Phil Fox, representing the Colorado Association of School Executives, discussed the provisions in the bill and said that CASE has concerns about the section of the bill on principal licensing. He noted that higher education institutions would be concerned about the changes contemplated in the bill.

10:57 AM -- Ms. Gotlieb returned to the table and said that the bill's provisions continue the requirement for passing a principal licensure assessment. She said that the bill may assist small, rural school districts in filling principal positions. Representative Paccione made additional comments.

11:02 AM

Mr. Fox returned to the table. He said that CASE supports including a master's degree as a requirement for principal licensure. Ms. Gotlieb made final comments about what would be required of principal candidates under the provisions of the bill. Mr. Fox also made additional comments about requirements for school superintendents and the authorization for non-traditional candidates to become superintendents.


11:08 AM

Representative Larson and Representative Paccione discussed changes in law made two years ago. Representative King discussed the potential for charter school principals to become principals in traditional schools if the provisions in the bill as passed. Committee discussion continued.

11:13 AM

Julie Pelegrin, Office of Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to respond to questions raised by committee members.
BILL:HB06-1023
TIME: 11:16:08 AM
MOVED:Merrifield
MOTION:Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment B). Representative King requested that the committee consider the amendment in severed sections, between lines 4 and 5. The committee voted on severed section 1. The motion on severed section #1 passed on a 7-6 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Paccione
VOTE
Benefield
Yes
King
No
Larson
No
Massey
No
McKinley
Yes
Penry
No
Pommer
Yes
Rose
No
Solano
Yes
Todd
Yes
White
No
Paccione
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Not Final YES: 7 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS
BILL:HB06-1023
TIME: 11:21:16 AM
MOVED:Merrifield
MOTION:Motion on severed section #2 of amendment L.001 (Attachment B). The motion passed on a 7-6 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Paccione
VOTE
Benefield
Yes
King
No
Larson
No
Massey
No
McKinley
Yes
Penry
No
Pommer
Yes
Rose
No
Solano
Yes
Todd
Yes
White
No
Paccione
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Not Final YES: 7 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS
BILL:HB06-1023
TIME: 11:22:20 AM
MOVED:King
MOTION:Refer HB 06-1023, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole with favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a 13-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Rose
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


11:23 AM

The committee adjourned.