Bill Summary for Bill Number HB09-1065

Date: 01/29/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1065

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment E). The motion Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment F). The motion Moved amendment L.003 (Attachment G). The motion Moved amendment L.004 (Attachment H). The motion Moved to refer House Bill 09-1065, as amended, to	PASS Pass Without Objection Pass Without Objection Pass Without Objection PASS

02:27 PM -- House Bill 09-1065

Representative Benefield, sponsor of House Bill 09-1065, concerning the creation of a educator identifier pilot program, presented her bill to the committee. She also reviewed the fiscal note with committee members.

02:36 PM

The following people testified:

02:36 PM -- Dan Allinger, representing the Colorado Education Association (CEA) and the Colorado Springs Education Association (CSEA), testified in support of the bill as introduced, and shared his experience as a mathematics teacher.

02:38 PM -- Scott Groginsky, representing the Quality Teachers Commission, testified in support of the bill. He shared some of the activities of the commission over the past year and shared handouts with committee members (Attachment D). He also presented questions about language in the bill and suggested changes.

02:44 PM

Representative Solano expressed concern about the emphasis on test scores in the bill. Representative Schafer asked how many teacher might sign up for the program, and if it is a voluntary program. Representative Benefield replied that the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) will send a letter asking districts to volunteer teachers and added that there are incentives for teachers to participate. Representative Solano clarified that the school districts can apply for the pilot program without consultation of teachers. Representative Benefield stated that was correct.

02:52 PM

Representative Peniston expressed concern about the possible sanctions for teachers in their performance evaluations. Representative Todd asked about the definition of "teacher gap" in the bill. Representative Benefield replied that the definition for the bill is a universally recognized definition. Representative Todd also expressed concern about the possibility that the program could be used punitively against teachers. Representative Benefield explained that the bill does not override any teacher contract, negotiation or evaluation already in place.

02:59 PM

Representative Schafer commented on the importance of closing the achievement gap.

03:00 PM -- Jacki Paone, representing the Alliance for Quality Teaching, testified in support of the bill.

03:03 PM

Representative Todd expressed concern that the bill does not take into consideration the career teachers. Representative Merrifield asked how the teacher identifier program will work for subjects not tested on the CSAP. Ms. Paone explained that the identifier will allow school districts to look at teachers in those areas that are not tested. Representative Benefield explained that the purpose of the identifier is not to be linked with test scores, but rather to develop professional development opportunities.

03:09 PM

Representative Solano asked how success and quality are defined, and expressed concern about quantifying human learning in a database, which she stated cannot define team work, self initiation, and critical thinking skills. Representative Solano asked if Representative Benefield would be amenable to adding language stating test scores will not be used. Representative Benefield stated that she would not because the commission is going to use multiple data points in creating the program and that it is a pilot program which can be reassessed at its repeal date.

03:14 PM -- Richard Wenning and Lisa Medler, representing CDE, testified in support of the bill, but Dr. Wenning noted that the bill includes a broad prohibition on the use of the data, which the department has concerns about, if it were to be used on a statewide basis.

03:20 PM

Committee discussion ensued about identifying the teacher preparation programs that the teacher attended. Ms. Medler explained that the commission will be able to pull that data. Representative Solano asked if working conditions would be considered, such as: classroom size and the number of free and reduced lunch students taught at the school. Dr. Wenning explained that the things mentioned offer a range of possibilities that could be included in the identifier. Representative Solano asked how quality is defined under the identifier.

03:26 PM

Dr. Wenning responded by posing a question about what creates quality outcomes for students, which he stated includes assessments and other tools. Representative Solano asked who develops the pilot program. Representative Benefield replied the department does. Representative Solano asked how many members on the commission are teachers. Ms. Medler replied that two out of the thirteen members are teachers.

03:30 PM -- Robert Reichardt, representing himself, testified in support of the bill , and shared recent research pertaining to teacher identifier programs.

03:36 PM

Representative Todd asked Mr. Reichardt which states have implemented educator identifier programs. Mr. Reichardt replied that North Carolina, Texas, Florida, and New York City have. Representative Todd asked how long have those programs been operating in states. Mr. Reichardt explained that North Carolina has for the longest, which is five years. Mr. Reichardt noted that establishing an educator identifier program can answer questions such as: are board certified teachers more affective; does licensure test improve or hinder teacher pool; and is there equity in teacher-student assignments.

03:41 PM -- Michelle Miller, representing the Denver Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA), testified on the bill, and presented concerns on confidentiality, access, and usage of data.

03:43 PM -- Nina Lopez, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill.

03:49 PM

Representative Summers asked if the program focuses on probationary teachers or all teachers. Representative Benefield stated all educators.

03:50 PM -- Bruce Caughey, representing the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE), testified in support of the bill, but presented concerns about the limited use of data in the identifier program.

03:52 PM

Representative Summers asked how teachers address deficiencies in evaluations. Mr. Caughey responded that there are due process rights for teachers and principals. Representative Peniston stated that there is no due process for probationary teachers.

03:54 PM -- Jane Urschel, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB), testified in support of the bill, but presented concerns about the limited use of data in the identifier program.

03:56 PM -- Dan Daly, representing the Colorado Education Association (CEA), testified in support of the bill as introduced, but also presented concerns of where the bill could result in punitive action against teachers.

04:09 PM

04:09 PM -- Kim Ursetta, representing DCTA as president of the organization, testified in support of the bill, and shared her experience as one of the teacher representatives on the quality teacher commission.

04:15 PM

Representative Benefield asked Mr. Ursetta to address amendment L.001. She deferred to Mr. Daly on any position on the amendment.


BILL:	HB09-1065
TIME:	04:17:36 PM
MOVED:	Benefield
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment E). The motion passed on a 12-1-0 vote.
SECONDED:	Todd
		VOTE
	Baumgardner	Yes
	Benefield	Yes
	Massey	Yes
	Middleton	Yes
	Murray	Yes
	Peniston	No
	Priola	Yes
	Scanlan	Yes
	Schafer S.	Yes
	Summers	Yes
	Todd	Yes
	Solano	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes

Not Final YES: 12 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


BILL:	HB09-1065
TIME:	04:28:04 PM
MOVED:	Benefield
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment F). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Todd
		VOTE
	Baumgardner
	Benefield
	Massey
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Priola
	Scanlan
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB09-1065
TIME:	04:28:47 PM
MOVED:	Benefield
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.003 (Attachment G). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Summers
		VOTE
	Baumgardner
	Benefield
	Massey
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Priola
	Scanlan
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB09-1065
TIME:	04:31:31 PM
MOVED:	Benefield
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.004 (Attachment H). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Summers
		VOTE
	Baumgardner
	Benefield
	Massey
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Priola
	Scanlan
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB09-1065
TIME:	04:32:56 PM
MOVED:	Benefield
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 09-1065, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a 13-0 vote.
SECONDED:	Murray
		VOTE
	Baumgardner	Yes
	Benefield	Yes
	Massey	Yes
	Middleton	Yes
	Murray	Yes
	Peniston	Yes
	Priola	Yes
	Scanlan	Yes
	Schafer S.	Yes
	Summers	Yes
	Todd	Yes
	Solano	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes

Final YES: 13 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

04:34 PM

The committee took a brief recess.