Bill Summary for Bill Number HB12-1146

Date: 02/13/2012

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB12-1146

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Adopt prepared Amendment L.001 (Attachment A). The Refer House Bill 12-1146, as amended, to the Commi	Pass Without Objection PASS

01:33 PM -- House Bill 12-1146

Representative Massey, Chair, made opening remarks. He stated that HB 12-1214 and HB 12-1135, which appear on the day's agenda, will be laid over. He welcomed Representative Nikkel to the table to present her bill.

Representative Nikkel, sponsor of House Bill 12-1146, presented her bill. The bills allows a local education provider and community colleges to enter into an agreement to establish a dropout recovery program allowing a student who has dropped out of high school, or students at risk of dropping out, to complete their high school requirements exclusively at the community college. Any individual aged 16 to 21 years who has dropped out of school may participate. Students who are enrolled, but at risk of dropping out, may participate with the permission of the school district.

If an agreement is entered, any student enrolled in at least seven credit hours per semester is counted as full-time in the school district's funded pupil count. If the student completes the credit hours, the school district pays the college a portion of the student's tuition, not to exceed the established resident rate. The college may also receive stipend payments from the College Opportunity Fund (COF).

The following persons testified:

01:36 PM -- Dr. Geri Anderson, Vice President, Colorado Community College System (CCCS), expressed support for the bill. Dr. Anderson stated that nothing in the bill mandates that a school district, board of cooperative educational services (BOCES), community college, or four-year institution enter into an agreement for a dropout recovery program. She stated that the program is intended for students who are at risk of dropping out or who have already dropped out of high school. She said that school districts will continue to receive the same level of funding for students who participate in the program. She discussed the appropriateness of a 19 year old sitting in a classroom with 14 and 15 year olds, stating that it is better for them to be in a college classroom with other students who are their age and who are taking the same basic courses. She added that we must consider the costs of not providing dropout recovery services.

Dr. Anderson responded to questions from the committee concerning how students are selected to participate in the program; course offerings at the community college; and the resources needed to provide services to at-risk students.

01:50 PM -- Andy Dorsey, President, Front Range Community College (FRCC), expressed support for the bill. Mr. Dorsey stated that one of the reasons why this bill is being brought is to protect the Gateway to College program that exists at FRCC. Mr. Dorsey described the Gateway to College program and how it began. He stated that students who participate in the program are assigned a resource specialist who helps the student select courses that apply to the requirements for a high school diploma. He said that the resource specialist also acts as a mentor to the student. He said that a curriculum is mapped out for each student. He stated that the program has graduated 75 students since its inception in 2008. Mr. Dorsey described the general profile of the students who participate in the program, saying that about half are male and half are female; that they want the same things that all students want, to have a good life and career; and that most of the students have experienced significant challenges in their lives. He stated that student success in the program is due to three factors: the college environment is a better fit for these students; the program provides intrusive academic and personal support; and the idea of earning college credits is very motivating to many students. He stated that this bill is important right now due to specific concurrent enrollment program provisions that cause dual credit opportunities to end at the 12th grade. He added that the program is run like a college program and so it does not meet the specific concurrent enrollment seat time requirements; another reason why this legislation is needed, in order to waive the seat time requirement.

Mr. Dorsey responded to questions from the committee concerning resource specialists, parental involvement, the method of advertisement used to publicize the program, graduation rates, and the types of assessments that are administered to participants in the program. Dr. Anderson returned to the table to respond to committee questions.

02:15 PM -- Isaac Ramon, student, FRCC, and Gateway to College graduate, expressed support for the bill. Mr. Ramon described his experience as a student in the Gateway to College program, saying that it was really a second chance for him. He described his involvement at FRCC and his work in the college's call center. He said that upon entering the program, he was two years behind his high school classmates and had been incarcerated. He stated that his mom was a huge support and that she found the Gateway to College program for him. He stated that he does not have a male role model in his life, but that his resource specialist has filled that role. He stated that he has learned a lot through the program and has been encouraged by the positivity and support provided by the faculty and resource specialist; that he has had a successful transition. He added that upon graduating from the Gateway to College program, he had earned 30 credits toward an associates degree and that he was inspired to enroll as a full-time student at the college.

02:23 PM -- Chris Gdowski, Superintendent, Adams 12 Five Star Schools, expressed support for the bill. Mr. Gdowski stated that kids in the program speak to him about being involved in a classroom and environment where all the students are motivated and engaged in obtaining a postsecondary education. He stated that the program is an essential part of increasing the graduation rates in Colorado. Mr. Gdowski stated that the program offerings are communicated in three ways: by staying in touch with school counselors; through ongoing outreach to community partners like the Boys and Girls Clubs; and through the word-of-mouth of students who have gone through the program. Mr. Gdowski responded to questions from the committee.

President Dorsey returned to the table to respond to a question from Representative Holbert about the number of students the Gateway to College program through FRCC can accommodate. Representative Holbert asked if the program would be able to accommodate 452 students in the next year. Mr. Dorsey said that no, the program could not handle that many students at this time.

Representative Todd asked about how the program is funded. Mr. Dorsey responded that the Gates Foundation provided $325,000 for start-up expenses such as training, but that the program now operates on the Per Pupil Operating Revenue (PPOR) that comes from the school districts.


BILL:	HB12-1146
TIME:	02:35:08 PM
MOVED:	Massey
MOTION:	Adopt prepared Amendment L.001 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Summers
		VOTE
	Hamner
	Holbert
	Joshi
	Kerr A.
	Murray
	Peniston
	Ramirez
	Schafer S.
	Solano
	Summers
	Todd
	Beezley
	Massey

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB12-1146
TIME:	02:37:27 PM
MOVED:	Murray
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 12-1146, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 12-0.
SECONDED:	Ramirez
		VOTE
	Hamner	Yes
	Holbert	Yes
	Joshi	Yes
	Kerr A.	Excused
	Murray	Yes
	Peniston	Yes
	Ramirez	Yes
	Schafer S.	Yes
	Solano	Yes
	Summers	Yes
	Todd	Yes
	Beezley	Yes
	Massey	Yes

Final YES: 12 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS