Bill Summary for Bill Number SB09-032

Date: 02/23/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-032

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment F). The motion Moved to refer Senate Bill 09-032, as amended, to	Pass Without Objection PASS

05:13 PM -- Senate Bill 09-032

Representatives Marostica and Todd, sponsors of Senate Bill 09-032, concerning the creation of the Education Innovation Institute at the University of Northern Colorado, presented the bill to the committee.

05:15 PM

The following people testified on the bill:

05:16 PM -- Kay Norton, president of the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), testified in support of the bill and shared a handout with committee members (Attachment E).

05:18 PM

Representative Merrifield asked why Dr. Norton believes the institute needs to be codified in statute. Dr. Norton explained it is a positive affirmation of the importance of education in Colorado. Representative Merrifield asked if having the institute in state law will help bring in research dollars. Dr. Norton replied that she thinks it would. Representative Merrifield asked if it would change funding for other institutions. Dr. Norton replied that she did not think it would. Representative Priola asked if it creates an issue where other institutions will want to have language codified for them as well. Dr. Norton explained it is not the intention to create competition. Representative Murray asked how UNC will communicate findings to other universities. Dr. Norton replied that she would like to see the university do joint projects with other universities instead of only providing information. Representative Murray asked about the relationships the university has with K-12 schools in Colorado. Dr. Norton replied that UNC already has 40 partner schools for teacher preparation programs.

05:24 PM

Representative Middleton asked if it is possible to establish the institute without the legislature, and if having it in statute would impede the ability of the institute to get funding through naming rights of the institute. Dr. Norton replied that the ideal funding model is to have a combination of public and private funding. Representative Summers asked even though the institute would be housed at UNC, it would not be exclusively UNC faculty working with the institute. Dr. Norton replied yes, and that she envisions the institute creating collaboration across the state. Representative Murray asked if the university has relationships with education foundations in the state. Dr. Norton replied that the university has informal relationships with such organizations.

05:28 PM -- Dan Daly, representing the Colorado Education Association (CEA), testified in support of the bill.

05:33 PM

Representative Marostica explained that the bill provides the opportunity to learn more about education in the state, and to centralize what educators like teachers of the year are doing to earn them that title. Representative Todd noted that there are a lot of conversations in the state around education and this institute gives that conversation an umbrella.

05:39 PM

Representative Merrifield presented concerns about funding for the institute because some of the private organizations who would be potential donors have a certain ideological bent. Representative Benefield asked if the institute could be a home for the teacher cadet program. Mr. Daly explained that is an option. Mr. Daly also responded to Representative Merrifield's question about funding, noting that the credibility of the institution would be at stake to find appropriate funding, that there would be a mix of private-public funding, and that the legislature could rescind the institute if there were problems with funding and ideological organizations.

05:43 PM

Representative Summers added that it would be unlikely that funding would be wholly provided from one organization. Representative Schafer asked if any donors have expressed an interest in funding the institute. Dr. Norton explained that there have been conversations with donors but no ask yet.


BILL:	SB09-032
TIME:	05:45:37 PM
MOVED:	Todd
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment F). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Benefield
		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:	SB09-032
TIME:	05:46:51 PM
MOVED:	Todd
MOTION:	Moved to refer Senate Bill 09-032, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 13-0 vote.
SECONDED:	Schafer S.
		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