Second Regular Session Sixty-fifth General Assembly STATE OF COLORADO CORRECTED INTRODUCED LLS NO. 06-0371.01 Michele Hanigsberg HOUSE BILL 06-1024 HOUSE SPONSORSHIP Frangas, SENATE SPONSORSHIP Tapia, House Committees Senate Committees Education A BILL FOR AN ACT Concerning underserved students at institutions of higher education. Bill Summary (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not necessarily reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted.) Requires each institution of higher education performance contract to include an addendum requiring the institution to demonstrate its commitment to the retention and success of underserved students through the institution's use of support services. Specifies that the support services shall include but need not be limited to:  Individual cognitive and social diagnostic assessment tools for underserved students or students in need of basic skills instruction;  Institutional mechanisms designed to identify students at risk of not achieving satisfactory academic progress; and  Faculty mentoring programs for underserved students. Authorizes the governing board of a state institution of higher education and the department of higher education to negotiate each year a fee-for-service contract that includes proven, research-based support services for underserved students. Requires the Colorado commission on higher education ("commission") to adopt a policy that requires institutions of higher education to make work-study participants a priority for financial aid awards. Requires the commission to develop an on-line textbook pilot program that will allow a state institution of higher education to create and utilize on-line textbook libraries so that students may purchase only those materials needed for the applicable course work. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. 23-5-129 (2) (e), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended to read: 23-5-129. Governing boards - performance contract - authorization - operations. (2) (e) (I) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, increasing enrollment of underserved students, including low-income individuals, minority groups, and males where underserved, shall be addressed in each performance contract. (II) On or before August 1, 2006, each performance contract shall include an addendum that requires the institution of higher education to demonstrate its commitment to the retention and success of underserved students through the institution's use of support services, which services shall include but need not be limited to: (A) Individual cognitive and social diagnostic assessment tools for underserved students or students in need of basic skills instruction according to the commission's remedial education policy adopted pursuant to section 23-1-113.3; (B) Institutional mechanisms designed to identify students at risk of not achieving satisfactory academic progress; and (C) Faculty mentoring programs for underserved students. SECTION 2. 23-5-130 (2), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW PARAGRAPH to read: 23-5-130. Governing boards - fee-for-service contracts - authorization - repeal. (2) Beginning July 1, 2005, the governing board of a state institution of higher education may annually negotiate a fee-for-service contract with the department for the delivery of higher education services by the institution to the residents of the state of Colorado. These services may include, but need not be limited to: (i) Proven, research-based support services for underserved students, which services shall include but need not be limited to: (I) Individual cognitive and social diagnostic assessment tools for underserved students or students in need of basic skills instruction according to the commission's remedial education policy adopted pursuant to section 23-1-113.3; (II) Institutional mechanisms designed to identify students at risk of not achieving satisfactory academic progress; and (III) Faculty mentoring programs for underserved students. SECTION 3. 23-1-109.7 (1), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW PARAGRAPH to read: 23-1-109.7. Duties and powers of the commission with regard to the provision of educational services - repeal. (1) Beginning July 1, 2005, the commission shall be responsible for ensuring the provision of specific postsecondary educational services in the state. These educational services shall include but need not be limited to: (i) Proven, research-based support services for underserved students, which services shall include but need not be limited to: (I) Individual cognitive and social diagnostic assessment tools for underserved students or students in need of basic skills instruction according to the commission's remedial education policy adopted pursuant to section 23-1-113.3; (II) Institutional mechanisms designed to identify students at risk of not achieving satisfactory academic progress; and (III) Faculty mentoring programs for underserved students. SECTION 4. Part 4 of article 3.3 of title 23, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to read: 23-3.3-402. Financial aid priority - work-study participants. The commission shall adopt a policy to require institutions of higher education to make work-study participants a priority for financial aid awards. SECTION 5. Article 1 of title 23, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to read: 23-1-130. Commission directive - on-line textbook pilot program - repeal. (1) The commission shall develop an on-line textbook pilot program, referred to in this section as the "pilot program", in which one or more state institutions of higher education may participate. A state institution of higher education participating in the pilot program is authorized to create and utilize on-line textbook libraries to allow students to purchase only those materials needed for the applicable course work. A state institution of higher education participating in the pilot program shall determine annually and report to the commission whether the pilot program reduced book costs for students. (2) This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2010. SECTION 6. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.