Bill Summary for Bill Number SB09-062

Date: 03/09/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-062

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved to refer Senate Bill 09-062, as amended, to Page 2, line 18, after "assist", moved to insert	PASS Pass Without Objection

02:24 PM -- Senate Bill 09-062

Representative Apuan, sponsor of Senate Bill 09-062, concerning veterans' teaching incentives, presented his bill to the committee, and explained that the bill expands the criteria for awarding grants from the Teach Colorado Grant Program. He noted it does not change the amount of grant money available or add more work for the department. Representative Peniston asked Representative Apuan the rationale for adding veterans over other groups. Representative Apuan explained that it aligns state law with the federal program Troops to Teachers.

02:28 PM

The following people testified on the bill:

02:28 PM -- John Karakoulakis, representing the Department of Higher Education, testified in support of the bill, and provided an update on the grants that the department awarded in the last fiscal year for the Teach Colorado Grant Program.

02:29 PM

Representative Benefield asked how large is the grant pool. Karakoulakis replied the program receives a $500,000 General Fund appropriation, and was awarded to 5 schools. Representative Todd asked which schools received the awards, and the amounts awarded to each. Representative Benefield asked if it takes the incentive away to teach in high need areas because the grant money can go to a veteran, regardless if he or she teaches in a high need area. Mr. Karakoulakis explained that the program does not require that the teacher be employed in a high need area, but that it is given special consideration.

02:33 PM -- Dan Daly, representing the Colorado Education Association (CEA), testified in support of the bill, and shared the other grant criteria for the Teach Colorado Grant Program.

02:35 PM -- Walter Paul, representing the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (DVMA), testified in support of the bill because it assists veterans take their life experience and apply it to the teaching profession.

02:37 PM -- Joe Morgan, representing the Troops to Teachers program, testified on the bill and provided information on the Troops to Teachers (TTT) program. He noted that the program has an 82 percent retention rate, and 67 percent of the participants teach mathematics and special education. He noted that TTT provides bonuses to troops who choose to teach in high need areas. He also responded to Representative Peniston's question about why veterans were selected by noting that the leadership training for teachers and troops parallel each other. He also addressed questions raised by Representatives Benefield.

02:48 PM

Representative Todd stated that the statistics provided by Colonel Morgan are encouraging, specifically referencing the number of men who participate in the program. She also noted that the quality of teachers that come from the program are important. Colonel Morgan responded to Representative Todd's comments and shared a personal experience of a soldier who was interested in the TTT program, and how he became a special education teacher, then worked to get funding for classroom technology through a charity golf tournament, which has become an annual event. Colonel Morgan noted that this soldier is now a principal at a middle school in Colorado. Colonel Morgan concluded his remarks and suggested that the language "honorably discharged" be added to the bill. Representative Apuan said that he would be amenable to the change if the committee was.


BILL:	SB09-062
TIME:	02:54:59 PM
MOVED:	Solano
MOTION:	Page 2, line 18, after "assist", moved to insert "honorably discharged". The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Middleton
		VOTE
	Baumgardner
	Benefield
	Massey	Excused
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Priola
	Scanlan
	Schafer S.
	Summers	Excused
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

02:55 PM

Representative Apuan concluded remarks and asked for the committee's support of the bill.


BILL:	SB09-062
TIME:	02:55:51 PM
MOVED:	Todd
MOTION:	Moved to refer Senate Bill 09-062, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 10-0-3 vote.
SECONDED:	Priola
		VOTE
	Baumgardner	Yes
	Benefield	Yes
	Massey	Excused
	Middleton	Yes
	Murray	Yes
	Peniston	Yes
	Priola	Yes
	Scanlan	Yes
	Schafer S.	Excused
	Summers	Excused
	Todd	Yes
	Solano	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes

Final YES: 10 NO: 0 EXC: 3 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS