NOTE: The governor signed this measure on 4/16/2012.
      
      
      SENATE BILL 12-057
      
      
      BY SENATOR(S) Williams S., Aguilar, Boyd, Cadman, Carroll, Foster,
      Giron, Guzman, Heath, Hudak, Jahn, Johnston, King K., King S., Lambert,
      Lundberg, Morse, Newell, Nicholson, Roberts, Scheffel, Schwartz, Spence,
      Tochtrop, White, Shaffer B.;
      also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Brown, Barker, Casso, Coram, Fields,
      Hamner, Holbert, Joshi, Kerr J., Labuda, Massey, Pabon, Pace, Peniston,
      Ryden, Schafer S., Solano, Todd, Vigil, Wilson.
      
      
      Concerning native American language instruction.
       
      
      Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
      
           SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-60.5-111, add (15)
      as follows:
      
           22-60.5-111.  Authorization - types - applicants' qualifications -
      rules. (15) Native American language and culture instruction
      authorization.  (a)  The department may issue a native American
      language and culture instruction authorization to an individual
      under the following circumstances:
      
           (I)  If the individual qualifies for an adjunct instructor
      authorization pursuant to subsection (2) of this section in the
      area of native languages; or
      
           (II)  If an individual cannot be identified who meets the
      criteria of subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a), the employing
      school district may allow an individual to apply to the
      department for approval of a native American language and
      culture instruction authorization if the individual has
      demonstrated expertise in a native American language of a
      federally recognized tribe. The native American language and
      culture instruction authorization shall allow the individual to
      teach the native American language in which he or she has
      demonstrated expertise for the employing school district. An
      individual authorized pursuant to this subparagraph (II) shall
      work in partnership with a licensed teacher who currently
      teaches world languages for the employing school district. The
      approval process for the native American language and culture
      instruction authorization shall be established by rule of the
      state board and shall include, at a minimum:
      
           (A)  A method to establish and document the expertise of the
      applicant in the native American language of a federally
      recognized tribe;
      
           (B)  The identification of the partnering licensed teacher;
      
           (C)  A requirement that the applicant meet any objective
      standards for language proficiency established by the state
      board;
      
           (D)  A prohibition on the applicant from teaching any subject
      other than the native American language for which he or she has
      demonstrated expertise; and
      
           (E)  A renewal process for the authorization.
      
           (b)  A native American language and culture authorization
      issued pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (15) is valid for
      five years from the date of issuance. The department may renew
      the authorization for succeeding five-year periods upon the
      receipt of documented evidence that the person holding the
      authorization has completed any renewal requirements specified
      by rule by the state board of education.
      
           (c)  All laws and rules, including but not limited to section
      22-9-106 and any rules promulgated thereunder related to
      educator evaluation and effectiveness, shall apply to the
      individual holding an authorization pursuant to this subsection
      (15).
      
           SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-32-145 as
      follows:
      
           22-32-145.  Native American language and culture instruction -
      general credit. A school district board of education may adopt a
      policy to grant general education or world language credit for
      the successful completion of native American language course
      work for languages of federally recognized tribes. A person
      instructing a native American language course shall meet the
      requirements set forth in section 22-60.5-111 (15).
      
           SECTION 3.  Act subject to petition - effective date. This act
      takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the
      ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August
      8, 2012, if adjournment sine die is on May 9, 2012); except that, if a
      referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the state
      constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within
      such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless
      approved by the people at the general election to be held in November 2012
      and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of
      the vote thereon by the governor.
      
      
      
      
      ____________________________  ____________________________
      Brandon C. Shaffer                      Frank McNulty
      PRESIDENT OF                     SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
      THE SENATE                         OF REPRESENTATIVES
      
      
      
      
      
      
      ____________________________  ____________________________
      Cindi L. Markwell                      Marilyn Eddins
      SECRETARY OF                 CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE
      THE SENATE                         OF REPRESENTATIVES
      
      
      
      
                  APPROVED________________________________________
      
      
      
      
      
                                    _________________________________________
                                    John W. Hickenlooper
                                    GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO