Senate Bill 25-315 Introduced

A Bill for an Act

• Page 1, Line 101Concerning measures to reinvent postsecondary and

• Page 1, Line 102workforce readiness programs.

Bill Summary

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov/.)

Joint Budget Committee. The bill creates a postsecondary and workforce readiness funding model that includes 3 types of funding: Start-up funding, innovation grant funding, and sustain funding. The state board of education (state board) is authorized to adopt rules concerning these funding sources.

For the 2025-26 budget year through the 2027-28 budget year, the department of education (department) will determine each local education provider's start-up funding, which is used for eligible expenses that are associated with developing and implementing a postsecondary and workforce readiness program. Start-up funding gradually phases out and repeals after the 2027-28 budget year.

Beginning in the 2028-29 budget year, innovation grant funding is for eligible expenses that are associated with developing and implementing a postsecondary and workforce readiness program. Local education providers that are required to adopt a priority improvement plan or a turnaround plan, or authorize schools that are required to adopt a priority improvement plan or turnaround plan, for the current or prior budget year and demonstrate, or authorize a school that demonstrates, a low level of attainment on the postsecondary workforce readiness indicator for the prior school year are eligible for innovation grant funding.

Sustain funding is used to reimburse local education providers' expenses for students who, in the preceding budget year, successfully satisfied postsecondary credit, industry-recognized credential, or work-based learning requirements. For the 2026-27 budget year, of total sustain funding, a certain percentage is for reimbursing postsecondary credit attainment, reimbursing industry-recognized credentials, and reimbursing work-based learning. For the 2027-28 budget year, and budget years thereafter, the state board may adjust the percentages for these categories.

The bill repeals the accelerating students through concurrent enrollment program and career development success program after the 2025-26 budget year. Upon passage, the bill repeals the:

• Concurrent enrollment expansion and innovation grant program; and
• John W. Buckner automatic enrollment in advanced courses grant program.

The bill makes conforming amendments necessary to reflect these changes.

The bill requires the department to convene a working group that includes educators to report its findings and recommendations concerning the effectiveness of the teacher retention and preparation program and the pathways in technology early college high schools.

• Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

• Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add part 2 to article 54 of title 22 as follows:

• Page 2, Line 3PART 2

• POSTSECONDARY AND WORKFORCE READINESS FUNDING

• Page 3, Line 122-54-201.  Legislative declaration. (1)  The general assembly finds that:

• Page 3, Line 2(a)  The department is committed to improving the

• Page 3, Line 3postsecondary and workforce readiness options and outcomes for students across the state;

• Page 3, Line 4(b)  Postsecondary and workforce readiness opportunities

• Page 3, Line 5increase student engagement, decrease dropout rates, and improve students' long-term workforce outcomes;

• Page 3, Line 6(c)  The Colorado evaluation and action lab, housed at

• Page 3, Line 7the university of Denver, found that concurrent enrollment is

• Page 3, Line 8shown to be highly effective in increasing college graduation

• Page 3, Line 9for Colorado students across various demographics. Students

• Page 3, Line 10who participate in concurrent enrollment are twenty-five

• Page 3, Line 11percent more likely to attend college, are eight percent more

• Page 3, Line 12likely to earn a two-year degree on time, are ten percent more

• Page 3, Line 13likely to earn a four-year degree on time, and earn higher wages five years after entering the workforce.

• Page 3, Line 14(d)  It is the department's goal that for the high school

• Page 3, Line 15graduating class of 2029, and for each high school graduating

• Page 3, Line 16class thereafter, one hundred percent of high school graduates will have achieved at least one of the following:

• Page 3, Line 17(I)  Earned a quality, in-demand non-degree credential;

• Page 3, Line 18(II)  Earned twelve postsecondary credits that count toward a postsecondary credential; or

• Page 3, Line 19(III)  Participated in at least one high-quality work-based

• Page 3, Line 20learning opportunity;

• Page 4, Line 1(e)  In order to achieve the goal described in subsection

• Page 4, Line 2(1)(d) of this section, the secondary, postsecondary, and

• Page 4, Line 3work-based learning integration task force recommended

• Page 4, Line 4streamlining postsecondary and workforce readiness

• Page 4, Line 5programming and funding to increase access to postsecondary

• Page 4, Line 6credit, industry-recognized credentials, and work-based

• Page 4, Line 7learning, commonly referred to as the "big three", by mitigating

• Page 4, Line 8barriers and offering programming that supports achievement in the big three;

• Page 4, Line 9(f)  The postsecondary and workforce readiness financial

• Page 4, Line 10study found that student access to existing postsecondary and

• Page 4, Line 11workforce readiness programs is inequitable, with only

• Page 4, Line 12fifty-four percent of the state's one hundred seventy-eight

• Page 4, Line 13school districts participating in the funded programs included in the study;

• Page 4, Line 14(g)  Student individual career and academic plans provide

• Page 4, Line 15a process and portfolio for students to explore their interests

• Page 4, Line 16and various postsecondary career and educational opportunities across the big three; and

• Page 4, Line 17(h)  In addition to the student individual career and

• Page 4, Line 18academic plans described in subsection (1)(g) of this section,

• Page 4, Line 19educators play a crucial role in helping students meet students'

• Page 4, Line 20postsecondary workforce and readiness goals and achieving success in the big three.

• Page 4, Line 21(2)  Therefore, the general assembly declares that:

• Page 4, Line 22(a)  It is beneficial to consolidate current postsecondary

• Page 4, Line 23and workforce readiness programs that the department

• Page 5, Line 1administers into three funding streams for the purpose of

• Page 5, Line 2building capacity to implement and expand access to valuable postsecondary and workforce readiness programs for students;

• Page 5, Line 3(b)  It is beneficial for local education providers to

• Page 5, Line 4receive flexibility with respect to their funding to establish or

• Page 5, Line 5increase student participation in opportunities for

• Page 5, Line 6postsecondary credit attainment, industry-recognized

• Page 5, Line 7credentials, and work-based learning and to enable scaling effective and innovative practices in the big three; and

• Page 5, Line 8(c)  Funding recipients are encouraged to consider ways in

• Page 5, Line 9which to collaborate and leverage economies of scale across local education providers to expand access for students.

• Page 5, Line 1022-54-202.  Definitions.As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 5, Line 11(1)  "Department" means the department of education, created in section 24-1-115.

• Page 5, Line 12(2)  "Industry-recognized credential" means an industry

• Page 5, Line 13certification and a nondegree credential, as both are defined in

• Page 5, Line 14section 23-5-145.8, that satisfy the requirements developed

• Page 5, Line 15pursuant to section 23-5-145.6 (2) and identified in the most

• Page 5, Line 16recent annual Colorado talent pipeline report prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103 (3).

• Page 5, Line 17(3)  "Local education provider" means a school district, a

• Page 5, Line 18charter school authorized by a school district pursuant to part

• Page 5, Line 191 of article 30.5 of this title 22, a charter school authorized by

• Page 5, Line 20the state charter school institute pursuant to part 5 of article

• Page 5, Line 2130.5 of this title 22, or a board of cooperative services created

• Page 6, Line 1and operating pursuant to article 5 of this title 22 that operates one or more public schools.

• Page 6, Line 2(4)  "Postsecondary and workforce readiness innovation

• Page 6, Line 3grant program" or "innovation grant program" means the

• Page 6, Line 4postsecondary and workforce readiness innovation grant program created in section 22-54-204.

• Page 6, Line 5(5)  "Postsecondary and workforce readiness start-up

• Page 6, Line 6funding" or "start-up funding" means funding pursuant to section 22-54-203.

• Page 6, Line 7(6)  "Postsecondary and workforce readiness sustain

• Page 6, Line 8funding" or "sustain funding" means funding pursuant to section 22-54-205.

• Page 6, Line 9(7)  "Postsecondary credit attainment" means a

• Page 6, Line 10transferrable college credit that may be attained while a

• Page 6, Line 11student is in high school, in alignment with the Colorado

• Page 6, Line 12commission on higher education admissions standards set forth

• Page 6, Line 13in section 23-1-113, which may include the successful completion

• Page 6, Line 14of a concurrent enrollment course as described in sections

• Page 6, Line 1522-35-103 and 22-35-104 (5)(b), a sufficient score as determined by

• Page 6, Line 16the state board of education on an end-of-course advanced

• Page 6, Line 17placement exam, or a sufficient score in an international baccalaureate course.

• Page 6, Line 18(8)  "Work-based learning" means demonstrating learning

• Page 6, Line 19through work or at work, consistent with the work-based

• Page 6, Line 20learning quality expectations established pursuant to section

• Page 6, Line 218-83-602 (5). "Work-based learning" includes the same meaning as

• Page 6, Line 22set forth in section 8-83-601.

• Page 7, Line 122-54-203.  Start-up funding - rules - repeal. (1)  For the

• Page 7, Line 22025-26 budget year through the 2027-28 budget year, the

• Page 7, Line 3department shall use this section to determine each local

• Page 7, Line 4education provider's postsecondary and workforce readiness start-up funding.

• Page 7, Line 5(2) (a)  A local education provider's start-up funding is

• Page 7, Line 6determined by a formula developed or adopted by the state board.

• Page 7, Line 7(b)  The state board shall develop or adopt a formula to

• Page 7, Line 8determine a local education provider's start-up funding. The

• Page 7, Line 9purpose of the formula is to enhance equity in access to

• Page 7, Line 10postsecondary and workforce readiness programs by allocating

• Page 7, Line 11funds to local education providers whose characteristics are

• Page 7, Line 12considered by the formula's factors and demonstrate the need

• Page 7, Line 13for resources to achieve equity through developing and

• Page 7, Line 14implementing postsecondary and workforce readiness programs.

• Page 7, Line 15At a minimum, the formula must include factors that reflect the local education provider's:

• Page 7, Line 16(I)  Participation in postsecondary and workforce readiness opportunities;

• Page 7, Line 17(II)  Percentage of students who are enrolled in grades

• Page 7, Line 18nine through twelve and are eligible for free or reduced-price

• Page 7, Line 19lunch pursuant to the provisions of the federal "Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act", 42 U.S.C. sec. 1751 et seq.;

• Page 7, Line 20(III)  Chronic absenteeism rate of students who are enrolled in grades nine through twelve;

• Page 7, Line 21(IV)  High school graduation rate; and

• Page 8, Line 1(V)  Dropout rate, excluding students who are or were enrolled in an alternative school.

• Page 8, Line 2(c)  The state board shall establish a minimum number of

• Page 8, Line 3students and a maximum number of students to be used as a part

• Page 8, Line 4of the student count in determining start-up funding so that,

• Page 8, Line 5notwithstanding the local education provider's actual student

• Page 8, Line 6count used for purposes of determining start-up funding, a local

• Page 8, Line 7education provider's student count is not less than the minimum

• Page 8, Line 8number or more than the maximum number. The purpose of

• Page 8, Line 9establishing a minimum number of students and a maximum

• Page 8, Line 10number of students is to ensure that start-up funding is not disproportionately distributed.

• Page 8, Line 11(d)  The data used for each factor of the formula must be the most recent data validated by the department.

• Page 8, Line 12(e)  The formula may apply a different weight to each factor.

• Page 8, Line 13(f)  The department shall calculate and distribute the start-up funds determined pursuant to this section.

• Page 8, Line 14(3) (a)  A local education provider shall use start-up

• Page 8, Line 15funding for eligible expenses that are associated with

• Page 8, Line 16developing and implementing a postsecondary and workforce

• Page 8, Line 17readiness program that aligns with the state's workforce

• Page 8, Line 18demands or priorities and supports students in successfully

• Page 8, Line 19earning postsecondary credit or industry-recognized

• Page 8, Line 20credentials, or successfully completing work-based learning

• Page 8, Line 21requirements. Categories of eligible expenses include, but are

• Page 8, Line 22not limited to:

• (I)  Program planning and design;

• Page 9, Line 1(II)  Course materials, technology, and equipment;

• Page 9, Line 2(III)  Professional development, certification, authorization, or licensure;

• Page 9, Line 3(IV)  Contracting with an entity or hiring school staff to

• Page 9, Line 4support the development and implementation of a postsecondary and workforce readiness program;

• Page 9, Line 5(V)  Individual career and academic plan resources, as

• Page 9, Line 6described in section 22-2-136, and supports, including academic and career advising and exploration; and

• Page 9, Line 7(VI)  Costs associated with concurrent enrollment.

• Page 9, Line 8(b)  Local education providers are encouraged to

• Page 9, Line 9collaborate with each other to maximize economies of scale and

• Page 9, Line 10expand student access to a postsecondary and workforce readiness program.

• Page 9, Line 11(4)  The state board shall adopt rules governing:

• Page 9, Line 12(a)  Additional eligibility requirements for a local

• Page 9, Line 13education provider to receive start-up funding pursuant to this

• Page 9, Line 14section. Eligibility requirements may vary based on the type of local education provider.

• Page 9, Line 15(b)  The formula developed or adopted pursuant to subsection (2) of this section;

• Page 9, Line 16(c)  Categories of eligible expenses and eligible expenses within the categories;

• Page 9, Line 17(d)  Eligibility for, and distribution of, funding for eligible

• Page 9, Line 18expenses within the categories described in subsection (3) of this

• Page 9, Line 19section. Eligibility may require satisfaction of certain

• Page 10, Line 1conditions. Eligibility and distribution rates may be categorized

• Page 10, Line 2or limited based on local-education-provider-specific features or other features as specified by state board rule.

• Page 10, Line 3(e)  Requirements of local education providers that receive funding pursuant to this section; and

• Page 10, Line 4(f)  Any other rules deemed necessary by the state board for the purposes of this section.

• Page 10, Line 5(5)  The department may not use more than seven percent

• Page 10, Line 6of the total amount of start-up funding in the 2025-26 budget

• Page 10, Line 7year to offset the direct and indirect costs incurred in

• Page 10, Line 8administering start-up funding. The department may not use

• Page 10, Line 9more than five percent of the total amount of start-up funding

• Page 10, Line 10in the 2026-27 budget year through the 2027-28 budget year to

• Page 10, Line 11offset the direct and indirect costs incurred in administering start-up funding.

• Page 10, Line 12(6)  This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2029.

• Page 10, Line 1322-54-204.  Postsecondary and workforce readiness innovation

• Page 10, Line 14grant program - creation - funding - rules. (1)  Beginning in the

• Page 10, Line 152028-29 budget year, the postsecondary and workforce

• Page 10, Line 16readiness innovation grant program is created in the

• Page 10, Line 17department to provide grants to local education providers that:

• Page 10, Line 18(a)  Are required to adopt a priority improvement plan or

• Page 10, Line 19a turnaround plan, or authorize schools that are required to

• Page 10, Line 20adopt a priority improvement plan or a turnaround plan, for the current or prior school year; and

• Page 10, Line 21(b)  Demonstrate, or authorize a school that

• Page 11, Line 1demonstrates, a low level of attainment on the postsecondary and workforce readiness indicator for the prior school year.

• Page 11, Line 2(2) (a)  The local education provider shall use innovation

• Page 11, Line 3grant program funding for eligible expenses associated with

• Page 11, Line 4developing and implementing a postsecondary and workforce

• Page 11, Line 5readiness program that aligns with the state's workforce

• Page 11, Line 6demands or priorities and supports students in successfully

• Page 11, Line 7earning postsecondary credit or industry-recognized

• Page 11, Line 8credentials, or successfully completing work-based learning requirements. Categories of eligible expenses include:

• Page 11, Line 9(I)  Program planning and design;

• (II)  Course materials, technology, and equipment;

• Page 11, Line 10(III)  Professional development, certification, authorization, or licensure;

• Page 11, Line 11(IV)  Contracting with an entity or hiring school staff to

• Page 11, Line 12support the development and implementation of a postsecondary and workforce readiness program;

• Page 11, Line 13(V)  Individual career and academic plan resources, as

• Page 11, Line 14described in section 22-2-136, and supports, including academic and career advising and exploration; and

• Page 11, Line 15(VI)  Costs associated with concurrent enrollment.

• Page 11, Line 16(b)  Local education providers are encouraged to

• Page 11, Line 17collaborate with each other to maximize economies of scale and

• Page 11, Line 18expand student access to a postsecondary and workforce readiness program.

• Page 11, Line 19(3) (a)  The department shall administer the innovation

• Page 11, Line 20grant program, including reviewing the applications received pursuant to this section.

• Page 12, Line 1(b)  The department shall make grant award determinations.

• Page 12, Line 2(c)  In making grant award determinations, the department shall consider:

• Page 12, Line 3(I)  Whether the local education provider is required to

• Page 12, Line 4adopt a priority improvement plan or a turnaround plan for the current or prior school year;

• Page 12, Line 5(II)  The concentration of schools of a school district, or

• Page 12, Line 6the concentration of institute charter schools of the state

• Page 12, Line 7charter school institute, that must implement a priority improvement plan or a turnaround plan;

• Page 12, Line 8(III)  Whether the local education provider has been

• Page 12, Line 9identified under the state accountability system as declining in performance; and

• Page 12, Line 10(IV)  The local education provider's level of attainment

• Page 12, Line 11on the postsecondary and workforce readiness indicator, as described in section 22-11-204, in the prior year.

• Page 12, Line 12(d)  In making grant award determinations, the

• Page 12, Line 13department may consider and prioritize grant awards to local

• Page 12, Line 14education providers that have a higher than average

• Page 12, Line 15percentage of students who are English language learners and

• Page 12, Line 16a higher than average percentage of students who are enrolled

• Page 12, Line 17in grades nine through twelve and are eligible for free or

• Page 12, Line 18reduced-price lunch pursuant to the provisions of the federal

• Page 12, Line 19"Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act", 42 U.S.C. sec.

• Page 12, Line 201751 et seq.

• Page 13, Line 1(e)  Subject to available funding based on annual

• Page 13, Line 2appropriations, each grant awarded may continue for up to

• Page 13, Line 3three budget years. The department shall annually review each

• Page 13, Line 4grant recipient's use of the grant award and may rescind

• Page 13, Line 5remaining grant funds if the department finds that the grant

• Page 13, Line 6recipient is not making adequate progress toward achieving the goals of the intended use of the grant award.

• Page 13, Line 7(4)  The state board may adopt rules governing:

• (a)  Application requirements;

• Page 13, Line 8(b)  Additional eligibility and prioritization requirements

• Page 13, Line 9for a local education provider to receive funding pursuant to this section;

• Page 13, Line 10(c)  Eligible expenses within the categories described in subsection (2) of this section;

• Page 13, Line 11(d)  Requirements of local education providers that receive funding pursuant to this section; and

• Page 13, Line 12(e)  Any other rules deemed necessary by the state board for the purposes of this section.

• Page 13, Line 13(5) (a)  The department may use not more than five percent

• Page 13, Line 14of the total amount of innovation grant program funding to

• Page 13, Line 15offset the direct and indirect costs incurred in administering the innovation grant program.

• Page 13, Line 16(b)  Of the money annually appropriated for the

• Page 13, Line 17innovation grant program, the department may expend an

• Page 13, Line 18amount that is necessary to enter into one or more contracts

• Page 13, Line 19with a public or private entity to provide the uses described in

• Page 13, Line 20subsection (2)(a) of this section to multiple local education

• Page 14, Line 1providers that are eligible for an innovation grant. The entity

• Page 14, Line 2shall use research-based strategies and have a proven record of success working with schools under similar circumstances.

• Page 14, Line 322-54-205.  Sustain funding - rules - repeal. (1)  For the

• Page 14, Line 42026-27 budget year, and each budget year thereafter, the

• Page 14, Line 5department shall use this section to determine each local

• Page 14, Line 6education provider's postsecondary and workforce readiness

• Page 14, Line 7sustain funding. Each local education provider shall provide

• Page 14, Line 8data to the department to inform the department of each local education provider's sustain funding amount.

• Page 14, Line 9(2) (a)  A local education provider is eligible to receive

• Page 14, Line 10reimbursement for students who, in the preceding budget year,

• Page 14, Line 11successfully satisfied postsecondary credit, received an

• Page 14, Line 12industry-recognized credential, or satisfied work-based

• Page 14, Line 13learning requirements as specified by state board rule. A local

• Page 14, Line 14education provider is eligible to receive multiple

• Page 14, Line 15reimbursements for one student. A local education provider is

• Page 14, Line 16eligible for reimbursement for students who are enrolled in a p-tech school or participating in a TREP program.

• Page 14, Line 17(b) (I)  For the 2026-27 budget year, the department shall

• Page 14, Line 18divide the total amount of sustain funding for reimbursement into the following categories:

• Page 14, Line 19(A)  Twenty percent of the total amount of sustain

• Page 14, Line 20funding for reimbursement for postsecondary credit attainment;

• Page 14, Line 21(B)  Forty percent of the total amount of sustain funding

• Page 14, Line 22for reimbursement for industry-recognized credentials earned;

• Page 15, Line 1(C)  Thirty-five percent of the total amount of sustain funding for reimbursement for work-based learning; and

• Page 15, Line 2(D)  Five percent of the total amount of sustain funding to

• Page 15, Line 3offset the direct and indirect costs incurred in administering the sustain funding.

• Page 15, Line 4(II)  Notwithstanding subsection (2)(b)(I) of this section, if

• Page 15, Line 5money that is allocated to a category is not expended because

• Page 15, Line 6of insufficient demand, the money may be reallocated to another category to satisfy that category's demand.

• Page 15, Line 7(III)  This subsection (2)(b) is repealed, effective July 1, 2028.

• Page 15, Line 8(c) (I)  For the 2027-28 budget year, and each budget year

• Page 15, Line 9thereafter, the state board shall determine the percentages of

• Page 15, Line 10the total amount of sustain funding for reimbursement assigned

• Page 15, Line 11to the postsecondary credit attainment, industry-recognized

• Page 15, Line 12credentials, and work-based learning categories, except that

• Page 15, Line 13the five percent of the total amount of sustain funding to offset

• Page 15, Line 14the direct and indirect costs incurred in administering the

• Page 15, Line 15sustain funding must not be changed. The percentages for each category are determined by state board rule.

• Page 15, Line 16(II)  In determining the percentages of the total amount of

• Page 15, Line 17sustain funding for reimbursement assigned to each category

• Page 15, Line 18pursuant to subsection (2)(c)(I) of this section, the state board

• Page 15, Line 19shall consider the availability of postsecondary and workforce

• Page 15, Line 20readiness opportunities offered by local education providers, student participation, and evidence of student outcomes.

• Page 15, Line 21(III)  Notwithstanding subsection (2)(c)(I) of this section,

• Page 16, Line 1if money that is allocated to a category is not expended because

• Page 16, Line 2of insufficient demand, the money may be reallocated to another category to satisfy that category's demand.

• Page 16, Line 3(d)  A local education provider may receive funding from

• Page 16, Line 4one or multiple categories described in subsection (2)(b)(I) of

• Page 16, Line 5this section in each budget year; except that in a budget year

• Page 16, Line 6when the general assembly does not appropriate a sufficient

• Page 16, Line 7amount to fully fund the distributions required pursuant to this

• Page 16, Line 8section, the department shall reduce the amount of each

• Page 16, Line 9eligible local education provider's distribution by a

• Page 16, Line 10proportionate percentage of the amount required to fully fund the distributions required pursuant to this section.

• Page 16, Line 11(3) (a)  A local education provider shall use sustain

• Page 16, Line 12funding for expenses that are associated with maintaining and

• Page 16, Line 13expanding its postsecondary and workforce readiness program

• Page 16, Line 14that aligns with the state's workforce demands or priorities. Categories of eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Page 16, Line 15(I)  Program planning and design;

• (II)  Course materials, technology, and equipment;

• Page 16, Line 16(III)  Professional development, certification, authorization, or licensure;

• Page 16, Line 17(IV)  Contracting with an entity or hiring school staff to

• Page 16, Line 18support the development and implementation of a postsecondary and workforce readiness program;

• Page 16, Line 19(V)  Individual career and academic plan resources, as

• Page 16, Line 20described in section 22-2-136, and supports, including academic

• Page 16, Line 21and career advising and exploration;

• (VI)  Costs associated with concurrent enrollment; and

• Page 17, Line 1(VII)  Wages for employed apprentices participating in registered apprenticeships.

• Page 17, Line 2(b)  Local education providers are encouraged to

• Page 17, Line 3collaborate with each other to maximize economies of scale and

• Page 17, Line 4expand student access to a postsecondary and workforce readiness program.

• Page 17, Line 5(4)  The state board shall adopt rules governing:

• Page 17, Line 6(a)  Additional eligibility requirements for a local

• Page 17, Line 7education provider to receive funding pursuant to this section,

• Page 17, Line 8including criteria that constitute a student's successful

• Page 17, Line 9satisfaction of postsecondary credit, industry-recognized

• Page 17, Line 10credential, or work-based learning requirements. Eligibility

• Page 17, Line 11requirements may vary based on the type of local education provider.

• Page 17, Line 12(b)  Categories of eligible expenses, and eligible expenses within the categories;

• Page 17, Line 13(c)  Reimbursement eligibility and rates, including limits

• Page 17, Line 14on a local education provider's annual total reimbursement and

• Page 17, Line 15annual reimbursement from one or multiple categories, based on local-education-provider-specific features or other features;

• Page 17, Line 16(d)  Requirements of a local education provider that receives funding pursuant to this section; and

• Page 17, Line 17(e)  Any other rules deemed necessary by the state board for the purposes of this section.

• Page 17, Line 18(5) (a)  A school district that authorizes a charter school

• Page 17, Line 19shall forward to the district charter school an amount equal

• Page 18, Line 1to one hundred percent of the sustain funding amount that the

• Page 18, Line 2school district receives for a student who is enrolled in the

• Page 18, Line 3district charter school and who satisfies the criteria that

• Page 18, Line 4constitute the student's successful satisfaction of

• Page 18, Line 5postsecondary credit, industry-recognized credential, or work-based learning requirements.

• Page 18, Line 6(b)  The state charter school institute shall forward to

• Page 18, Line 7an institute charter school an amount equal to one hundred

• Page 18, Line 8percent of the sustain funding amount that the state charter

• Page 18, Line 9school institute receives for a student who is enrolled in the

• Page 18, Line 10institute charter school and who satisfies the criteria that

• Page 18, Line 11constitute the student's successful satisfaction of

• Page 18, Line 12postsecondary credit, industry-recognized credential, or work-based learning requirements.

• Page 18, Line 1322-54-206.  Qualified industry credentials. (1)  On or before

• Page 18, Line 14January 30, 2026, and on or before January 30 each year

• Page 18, Line 15thereafter, the department and the work force development

• Page 18, Line 16council, in collaboration with the department of higher

• Page 18, Line 17education, the department of labor and employment, the

• Page 18, Line 18Colorado community college system, and the Colorado office

• Page 18, Line 19of economic development shall jointly develop, and publish on

• Page 18, Line 20the department's and the work force development council's

• Page 18, Line 21websites, a list of the qualified industry credentials that meet

• Page 18, Line 22the quality standards required pursuant to section 23-5-145.8

• Page 18, Line 23(2)(c) for the next school year. At least annually, the

• Page 18, Line 24department and the work force development council, in

• Page 18, Line 25collaboration with the department of higher education, the

• Page 19, Line 1department of labor and employment, the Colorado community

• Page 19, Line 2college system, and the Colorado office of economic

• Page 19, Line 3development shall identify and review the qualified industry

• Page 19, Line 4credentials by identifying the jobs included in the Colorado

• Page 19, Line 5talent report, prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103, with the

• Page 19, Line 6greatest regional and state demand, including high-skill,

• Page 19, Line 7high-wage jobs in in-demand industries, and, after consultation

• Page 19, Line 8with relevant industries, identifying the qualified industry

• Page 19, Line 9credentials that have labor market value and are likely to

• Page 19, Line 10lead to the identified jobs. Any qualified industry credential

• Page 19, Line 11that the department and the work force development council

• Page 19, Line 12jointly determine do not demonstrate labor market value may

• Page 19, Line 13be removed from the department's and the work force development council's websites.

• Page 19, Line 14(2) (a)  Each local education provider shall regularly

• Page 19, Line 15communicate to all middle and high school students and the students' families:

• Page 19, Line 16(I)  The availability of concurrent enrollment programs; and

• Page 19, Line 17(II)  The availability of industry credential and

• Page 19, Line 18work-based learning programs and the benefits a student

• Page 19, Line 19receives as a result of successfully completing one of these programs or courses.

• Page 19, Line 20(b)  To the extent possible, all communications issued

• Page 19, Line 21pursuant to this subsection (2) must be provided in a language

• Page 19, Line 22that the students and the students' families understand. The

• Page 19, Line 23goal of the communications must be to increase participation in, and completion of, industry-recognized credentials.

• Page 20, Line 122-54-207.  Gifts, grants, and donations.The department may

• Page 20, Line 2seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from private or public sources for the purposes of this part 2.

• Page 20, Line 322-54-208.  Postsecondary and workforce readiness program

• Page 20, Line 4report. (1)  Beginning January 2027, and each January thereafter,

• Page 20, Line 5the department of education shall report, at a minimum, findings

• Page 20, Line 6regarding the effectiveness of having consolidated the

• Page 20, Line 7postsecondary and workforce readiness programs that the

• Page 20, Line 8department administered into the funding streams created in

• Page 20, Line 9this part 2 for the purpose of building capacity to implement and

• Page 20, Line 10expand access to valuable postsecondary and workforce

• Page 20, Line 11readiness programs for students to the education committees of

• Page 20, Line 12the senate and the house of representatives, or their successor

• Page 20, Line 13committees, as part of the "SMART Act" presentation required pursuant to part 2 of article 7 of title 2.

• Page 20, Line 14(2)  On or before November 1, 2029, the department of

• Page 20, Line 15education shall report, at a minimum, findings regarding the

• Page 20, Line 16effectiveness of having consolidated the postsecondary and

• Page 20, Line 17workforce readiness programs that the department

• Page 20, Line 18administered into the funding streams created in this part 2 for

• Page 20, Line 19the purpose of building capacity to implement and expand access

• Page 20, Line 20to valuable postsecondary and workforce readiness programs

• Page 20, Line 21for students. Prior to creating the report, the department of

• Page 20, Line 22education shall consult with joint budget committee staff to determine the report's content.

• Page 20, Line 23(3)  Notwithstanding the requirement in section 24-1-136

• Page 21, Line 1(11)(a)(I), the requirement to submit the report described in subsection (1) of this section continues indefinitely.

• Page 21, Line 2SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-108, amend (2)(c); and add (8) and (9) as follows:

• Page 21, Line 322-35-108.  Accelerating students through concurrent

• Page 21, Line 4enrollment program - objectives - non-tuition expenses - rules -

• Page 21, Line 5repeal. (2) (c)  For the 2025-26 state fiscal year, and each state fiscal year

• Page 21, Line 6thereafter, the local education provider shall not designate a total number

• Page 21, Line 7of ASCENT program participants that is greater than the total number of

• Page 21, Line 8ASCENT program participants that it designated in the 2024-25 state fiscal year.

• Page 21, Line 9(8)  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the local

• Page 21, Line 10education provider shall not designate a qualified student as an

• Page 21, Line 11ASCENT program participant for the 2026-27 state fiscal year or any state fiscal year thereafter.

• Page 21, Line 12(9)  This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2029.

• Page 21, Line 13SECTION 3.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-108.5, repeal (2)(b)(II) as follows:

• Page 21, Line 1422-35-108.5.  Teacher recruitment education and preparation

• Page 21, Line 15(TREP) program - objectives - selection criteria - rules - definition -

• Page 21, Line 16repeal. (2) (b) (II)  The general assembly shall annually fund each

• Page 21, Line 17potential TREP program participant at the same per-pupil rate as

• Page 21, Line 18determined by the ASCENT program as described in section 22-35-108.

• Page 21, Line 19For the 2022-23 budget year, the general assembly shall appropriate funding for no more than two hundred TREP program participants.

• Page 21, Line 20SECTION 4.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-30.5-112.2,

• Page 21, Line 21amend (2)(b); and repeal (1)(b) as follows:

• Page 22, Line 122-30.5-112.2.  Charter schools - at-risk supplemental aid -

• Page 22, Line 2definitions - legislative declaration. (1)  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 22, Line 3(b)  "ASCENT program" means the accelerating students through concurrent enrollment program created in section 22-35-108.

• Page 22, Line 4(2) (b) (I)  Each qualifying school district must receive at-risk

• Page 22, Line 5supplemental aid if the percentage of at-risk pupils in a district charter

• Page 22, Line 6school authorized by the qualifying school district prior to July 1, 2004,

• Page 22, Line 7is less than the percentage of at-risk pupils in the qualifying school

• Page 22, Line 8district. The amount of the school district's at-risk supplemental aid is

• Page 22, Line 9equal to the difference between one hundred percent of district per pupil

• Page 22, Line 10revenues and one hundred percent of adjusted district per pupil revenues

• Page 22, Line 11for each pupil enrolled in the district charter school, not including online pupils or pupils enrolled in the ASCENT or TREP program.

• Page 22, Line 12(II)  Each district charter school in a qualifying school district that

• Page 22, Line 13was initially authorized prior to July 1, 2004, must receive at-risk

• Page 22, Line 14supplemental aid if the percentage of at-risk students in the district charter

• Page 22, Line 15school exceeds the percentage of at-risk pupils in the qualifying school

• Page 22, Line 16district. The amount of the district charter school's at-risk supplemental

• Page 22, Line 17aid is equal to the difference between one hundred percent of adjusted

• Page 22, Line 18district per pupil revenues and one hundred percent of district per pupil

• Page 22, Line 19revenues for each pupil enrolled in the district charter school, not

• Page 22, Line 20including online pupils or pupils enrolled in the ASCENT or TREP

• Page 22, Line 21program. A school district shall pass through one hundred percent of a

• Page 22, Line 22district charter school's at-risk supplemental aid to the district charter school.

• Page 22, Line 23(III)  Each district charter school in a school district that is not a

• Page 23, Line 1qualifying district and whose percentage of at-risk pupils exceeds the

• Page 23, Line 2percentage of at-risk pupils in the chartering school district must receive

• Page 23, Line 3at-risk supplemental aid. The amount of the district charter school's

• Page 23, Line 4at-risk supplemental aid is equal to the difference between one hundred

• Page 23, Line 5percent of adjusted district per pupil revenues and one hundred percent

• Page 23, Line 6of district per pupil revenues for each pupil enrolled in the district charter

• Page 23, Line 7school, not including online pupils or pupils enrolled in the ASCENT or

• Page 23, Line 8TREP program. A school district shall pass through one hundred percent

• Page 23, Line 9of a district charter school's at-risk supplemental aid to the district charter school.

• Page 23, Line 10SECTION 5.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-30.5-513, amend (4.5)(b) as follows:

• Page 23, Line 1122-30.5-513.  Institute charter schools - funding - at-risk

• Page 23, Line 12supplemental aid - legislative declaration - definitions. (4.5) (b)  The

• Page 23, Line 13institute charter school's at-risk supplemental aid is equal to one-half of

• Page 23, Line 14the difference between one hundred percent of the accounting district's

• Page 23, Line 15per pupil revenues and one hundred percent of the accounting district's

• Page 23, Line 16adjusted per pupil revenues for each pupil enrolled in the district charter

• Page 23, Line 17school, not including online pupils or pupils enrolled in the ASCENT or TREP program.

• Page 23, Line 18SECTION 6.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-102, repeal (3) as follows:

• Page 23, Line 1922-35-102.  Legislative declaration. (3)  The general assembly

• Page 23, Line 20further finds and declares its intention that the administrative costs

• Page 23, Line 21incurred by the department of education in its implementation of the

• Page 23, Line 22accelerating students through concurrent enrollment program created in

• Page 23, Line 23section 22-35-108 shall be supported by federal funds available for

• Page 24, Line 1government services pursuant to section 14002 of Title XIV of the federal

• Page 24, Line 2"American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009", Public Law 111-5 of the one hundred eleventh United States Congress.

• Page 24, Line 3SECTION 7.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-103, repeal (1.5) as follows:

• Page 24, Line 422-35-103.  Definitions. As used in this article 35, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 24, Line 5(1.5)  "ASCENT program" means the accelerating students through concurrent enrollment program created in section 22-35-108.

• Page 24, Line 6SECTION 8.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-104, amend (1)(a)(III), (1)(d) introductory portion, and (1)(e) as follows:

• Page 24, Line 722-35-104.  Enrollment in an institution of higher education -

• Page 24, Line 8cooperative agreement. (1) (a) (III)  Except as described in subsections

• Page 24, Line 9(1)(c) and (1)(d) of this section and sections 22-35-108 and section

• Page 24, Line 1022-35-109, a local education provider shall not limit the number of

• Page 24, Line 11postsecondary courses, including academic courses and career and

• Page 24, Line 12technical education courses, which that may include course work

• Page 24, Line 13coursework related to apprenticeship programs or internship programs,

• Page 24, Line 14in which a qualified student may concurrently enroll during the ninth,

• Page 24, Line 15tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade, except to the degree that the local

• Page 24, Line 16education provider is unable to provide access to the postsecondary courses due to technological capacity.

• Page 24, Line 17(d)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1)(a) of this

• Page 24, Line 18section, if a qualified student is not a participant in the ASCENT or TREP

• Page 24, Line 19program and has not satisfied the minimum requirements for graduation

• Page 24, Line 20established by his or her the qualified student's local education

• Page 24, Line 21provider by the end of his or her their twelfth-grade year and is therefore

• Page 25, Line 1retained by the local education provider for additional instruction, the

• Page 25, Line 2qualified student shall must not concurrently enroll in postsecondary

• Page 25, Line 3courses, including academic or career and technical education courses,

• Page 25, Line 4which that may include course work coursework related to

• Page 25, Line 5apprenticeship programs or internship programs, that are worth more than

• Page 25, Line 6a total of nine credit hours, including gateway courses, as defined in

• Page 25, Line 7section 23-1-113 (11)(b.5), with additional supports through supplemental

• Page 25, Line 8academic instruction, as defined in section 23-1-113 (11)(e). Furthermore, the qualified student shall must not concurrently enroll in more than:

• Page 25, Line 9(e)  Except as described in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this

• Page 25, Line 10subsection (1) subsections (1)(c) and (1)(d) of this section and

• Page 25, Line 11sections 22-35-108 and section 22-35-109, the state board by rule shall

• Page 25, Line 12not limit the number of postsecondary courses, including academic

• Page 25, Line 13courses and career and technical education courses, which that may

• Page 25, Line 14include course work coursework related to apprenticeship programs or

• Page 25, Line 15internship programs, in which a qualified student may concurrently enroll during the ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade.

• Page 25, Line 16SECTION 9.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-107, amend

• Page 25, Line 17(6)(a), (6)(e), and (7) introductory portion; and repeal (6)(d) and (7)(a) as follows:

• Page 25, Line 1822-35-107.  Concurrent enrollment advisory board - created -

• Page 25, Line 19membership - duties - reports - repeal. (6)  The board has the following duties:

• Page 25, Line 20(a)  Establishing guidelines for the administration of the ASCENT

• Page 25, Line 21program pursuant to section 22-35-108 (4) and the TREP program pursuant to section 22-35-108.5 (4);

• Page 25, Line 22(d)  On or before December 1, 2022, considering and making

• Page 26, Line 1recommendations to the state board and the education committees of the

• Page 26, Line 2house of representatives and senate, or any successor committees,

• Page 26, Line 3regarding the feasibility of a waiver process whereby a local education

• Page 26, Line 4provider, on behalf of a qualified student, could apply to the department

• Page 26, Line 5for a waiver of certain provisions of section 22-35-108, which waiver

• Page 26, Line 6would allow the local education provider to designate the student as an

• Page 26, Line 7ASCENT program participant in the second year following the year in

• Page 26, Line 8which the qualified student was enrolled in the twelfth grade of the local education provider so long as the qualifying student:

• Page 26, Line 9(I)  Was so designated in the year directly following the year in

• Page 26, Line 10which the qualified student was enrolled in the twelfth grade of the local education provider;

• Page 26, Line 11(II)  Requires fifteen or fewer credit hours of postsecondary course work to achieve a postsecondary credential; and

• Page 26, Line 12(III)  Is eligible for free or reduced-price lunch pursuant to the

• Page 26, Line 13federal "Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act", 42 U.S.C. sec. 1751 et seq.;

• Page 26, Line 14(e)  Submitting to the state board for its approval or disapproval

• Page 26, Line 15recommendations made pursuant to paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subsection (6) subsection (6)(c) of this section;

• Page 26, Line 16(7)  On or before December 1, 2010, and on or before December

• Page 26, Line 171 each year thereafter, the board shall prepare a report and submit it to the

• Page 26, Line 18state board and the commission. The report, at a minimum, shall must include:

• Page 26, Line 19(a)  Any guidelines that the board has established pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of this section; and

• Page 26, Line 20SECTION 10.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-113, amend (1)(a) as follows:

• Page 27, Line 122-35-113.  Concurrent enrollment - website. (1)  By July 1,

• Page 27, Line 22020, the department of education and the department of higher

• Page 27, Line 3education, with advice from the state board, shall make available to the

• Page 27, Line 4public a concurrent enrollment website to provide information to students,

• Page 27, Line 5parents, and legal guardians concerning concurrent enrollment options

• Page 27, Line 6and requirements. The departments must ensure that the website is clear,

• Page 27, Line 7easy to navigate, and generally user-friendly. In addition, the website must, at a minimum:

• Page 27, Line 8(a)  Clearly explain, differentiate, compare, and contrast

• Page 27, Line 9concurrent enrollment; dual enrollment programs; early college; the

• Page 27, Line 10ASCENT program; the TREP program; p-tech high schools, as defined

• Page 27, Line 11in section 22-35.3-102; international baccalaureate programs; and advanced placement courses;

• Page 27, Line 12SECTION 11.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-115, add (8) as follows:

• Page 27, Line 1322-35-115.  Postsecondary and workforce readiness programs

• Page 27, Line 14- financial study - funding - reports - legislative declaration -

• Page 27, Line 15definitions - repeal. (8)  This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.

• Page 27, Line 16SECTION 12.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-35-116 as follows:

• Page 27, Line 1722-35-116.  Teacher recruitment and preparation (TREP)

• Page 27, Line 18program and pathways in early technology early college high schools

• Page 27, Line 19(p-tech) working group - report - repeal. (1)  The department shall

• Page 27, Line 20convene a working group that includes educators to make

• Page 27, Line 21findings and recommendations concerning the effectiveness of

• Page 28, Line 1the teacher recruitment and preparation program, created in

• Page 28, Line 2section 22-35-108.5, and the pathways in technology early

• Page 28, Line 3college high schools, created in part 1 of article 35.3 of this title 22, and any related findings and recommendations.

• Page 28, Line 4(2)  On or before December 1, 2025, the working group

• Page 28, Line 5shall report its findings and recommendations to the joint budget committee.

• Page 28, Line 6(3)  This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2027.

• Page 28, Line 7SECTION 13.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35.3-103, amend (4) as follows:

• Page 28, Line 822-35.3-103.  Pathways in technology early college high schools

• Page 28, Line 9- design - requirements - approval. (4)  A p-tech school is subject to the

• Page 28, Line 10state assessment requirements specified in section 22-7-1006.3 and the

• Page 28, Line 11accountability requirements specified in article 11 of this title 22. In

• Page 28, Line 12addition, the commissioner and the executive director may establish

• Page 28, Line 13indicators for measuring the performance of each p-tech school, which

• Page 28, Line 14indicators may include the ability of students who graduate from a p-tech

• Page 28, Line 15school to obtain employment in the field or to pursue additional

• Page 28, Line 16postsecondary education in the field, as well as any relevant performance

• Page 28, Line 17indicators established for the concurrent enrollment ASCENT, and TREP programs.

• Page 28, Line 18SECTION 14.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-54-103, amend (5.2); and repeal (1.4) as follows:

• Page 28, Line 1922-54-103.  Definitions. As used in this article 54, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 28, Line 20(1.4)  "ASCENT program" means the accelerating students

• Page 28, Line 21through concurrent enrollment program created in section 22-35-108.

• Page 29, Line 1(5.2)  "District extended high school pupil enrollment" means the

• Page 29, Line 2number of pupils, on the pupil enrollment count day within the applicable

• Page 29, Line 3budget year, who are concurrently enrolled in a postsecondary course,

• Page 29, Line 4including an academic course or a career and technical education course,

• Page 29, Line 5as a participant in the ASCENT program or the TREP program and the

• Page 29, Line 6number of pupils, on the pupil enrollment count day within the applicable

• Page 29, Line 7budget year, who are enrolled in grade thirteen or fourteen in a p-tech

• Page 29, Line 8school. A pupil enrolled in a p-tech school pursuant to article 35.3 of this

• Page 29, Line 9title 22 must be included in the district extended high school pupil

• Page 29, Line 10enrollment as a full-time student. An ASCENT program participant or A

• Page 29, Line 11TREP program participant who is enrolled in at least twelve credit hours

• Page 29, Line 12of postsecondary courses, including academic courses and career and

• Page 29, Line 13technical education courses, as of the pupil enrollment count day of the

• Page 29, Line 14applicable budget year must be included in the district extended high

• Page 29, Line 15school pupil enrollment as a full-time pupil. An ASCENT program

• Page 29, Line 16participant or A TREP program participant who is enrolled in less than

• Page 29, Line 17twelve credit hours of postsecondary courses, including academic courses

• Page 29, Line 18and career and technical education courses, as of the pupil enrollment

• Page 29, Line 19count day of the applicable budget year must be included in the district extended high school pupil enrollment as a part-time pupil.

• Page 29, Line 20SECTION 15.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-54-103.5, amend (8)(a); and add (8)(c) as follows:

• Page 29, Line 2122-54-103.5.  District total program - rules - legislative

• Page 29, Line 22declaration - repeal. (8)  District extended high school funding. (a)  A district's extended high school funding is:

• Page 29, Line 23(District extended high school pupil enrollment x $9,588 $10,480,

• Page 29, Line 24or an amount determined pursuant subsection (8)(b) of this section).

• Page 30, Line 1(c) (I)  Notwithstanding subsections (8)(a) and (8)(b) of this

• Page 30, Line 2section, for the 2025-26 budget year, the dollar amount that is

• Page 30, Line 3multiplied by the number of full-time equivalent students

• Page 30, Line 4included in the district's high school pupil enrollment who are

• Page 30, Line 5the district's ASCENT program participants is seven thousand one hundred four dollars ($7,104).

• Page 30, Line 6(II)  This subsection (8)(c) is repealed, effective July 1, 2028.

• Page 30, Line 7SECTION 16.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-54-104, amend (4.7)(a) and (4.7)(d); and add (4.7)(e) as follows:

• Page 30, Line 822-54-104.  District total program - legislative declaration -

• Page 30, Line 9definitions - repeal. (4.7) (a)  For the 2024-25 2025-26 budget year and

• Page 30, Line 10budget years thereafter, a district's extended high school funding shall be determined in accordance with the following formula is:

• Page 30, Line 11(District extended high school pupil enrollment x $6,135 $10,480,

• Page 30, Line 12or an amount determined pursuant to subsection (4)(d) of this section).

• Page 30, Line 13(d)  For the 2024-25 2025-26 budget year, and each budget year

• Page 30, Line 14thereafter, the dollar amount set forth in subsection (4.7)(a) of this section

• Page 30, Line 15must be increased by the percentage by which the statewide base per pupil

• Page 30, Line 16funding for that budget year, as specified in subsection (5)(a) of this

• Page 30, Line 17section, is increased over the statewide base per pupil funding for the

• Page 30, Line 182007-08 budget year, as specified in subsection (5)(a)(XIV) of this

• Page 30, Line 19section. except that the dollar amount that is multiplied by the number of

• Page 30, Line 20full-time equivalent students included in the district's extended high

• Page 30, Line 21school pupil enrollment who are the district's ASCENT program

• Page 30, Line 22participants must not increase or exceed the dollar amount during the 2023-24 budget year. The amount must be rounded to the nearest dollar.

• Page 31, Line 1(e) (I)  Notwithstanding subsections (4.7)(a) and (4.7)(d) of

• Page 31, Line 2this section, for the 2025-26 budget year, the dollar amount

• Page 31, Line 3that is multiplied by the number of full-time equivalent

• Page 31, Line 4students included in the district's high school pupil enrollment

• Page 31, Line 5who are the district's ASCENT program participants is seven thousand one hundred four dollars ($7,104).

• Page 31, Line 6(II)  This subsection (4.7)(e) is repealed, effective July 1, 2028.

• Page 31, Line 7SECTION 17.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-54-138, amend

• Page 31, Line 8(2), (3)(a), (3.5)(a), (4)(b) introductory portion, (5)(a), (8) introductory portion, and (9) as follows:

• Page 31, Line 922-54-138.  Career development success program - created -

• Page 31, Line 10funding - report - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal.

• Page 31, Line 11(2)  There is created the career development success program in the

• Page 31, Line 12department of education to provide financial incentives for participating

• Page 31, Line 13districts, a participating board of cooperative services, and participating

• Page 31, Line 14charter schools to encourage pupils enrolled in grades nine through

• Page 31, Line 15twelve to enroll in and successfully complete qualified industry-credential

• Page 31, Line 16programs; qualified workplace training programs; and qualified advanced

• Page 31, Line 17placement courses. For the 2017-18 budget year and each budget year

• Page 31, Line 18thereafter through the 2025-26 budget year, each participating

• Page 31, Line 19district, each participating board of cooperative services, and each

• Page 31, Line 20participating charter school, as provided in subsection (5) of this section,

• Page 31, Line 21may receive up to one thousand dollars for each pupil who, in the

• Page 31, Line 22preceding budget year, successfully completes a qualified

• Page 31, Line 23industry-credential program; qualified workplace training program; or qualified advanced placement course.

• Page 32, Line 1(3) (a)  On or before August 15, 2016, and on or before July 1 each

• Page 32, Line 2year thereafter through July 1, 2025, the work force development

• Page 32, Line 3council, in collaboration with the department of higher education, the

• Page 32, Line 4department of education, the department of labor and employment, the

• Page 32, Line 5Colorado community college system, and the Colorado office of

• Page 32, Line 6economic development, shall publish on the council's website a list of the

• Page 32, Line 7qualified industry-credential programs and qualified workplace training

• Page 32, Line 8programs that meet the quality standards required pursuant to section

• Page 32, Line 923-5-145.8 (2)(c) for that school year. At least annually, the council and

• Page 32, Line 10its partners shall identify and review the qualified industry-credential

• Page 32, Line 11programs and qualified workplace training programs by identifying the

• Page 32, Line 12jobs included in the Colorado talent report, prepared pursuant to section

• Page 32, Line 1324-46.3-103, with the greatest regional and state demand, including

• Page 32, Line 14high-skill, high-wage jobs in in-demand industries, and, after consultation

• Page 32, Line 15with relevant industries, identifying the programs that have labor market

• Page 32, Line 16value and are likely to lead to the identified jobs. Any programs that the

• Page 32, Line 17council determines do not demonstrate labor market value may be removed from the council's website.

• Page 32, Line 18(3.5) (a)  Beginning in the For the 2022-23 school year and for

• Page 32, Line 19each school year thereafter through the 2025-26 school year, the

• Page 32, Line 20department of education, in coordination with the department of labor and

• Page 32, Line 21employment, the department of higher education, the Colorado

• Page 32, Line 22community college system, and employers from in-demand industries,

• Page 32, Line 23shall identify the top ten industry-recognized credentials, each of which

• Page 32, Line 24must at a minimum meet the requirements specified in subsection (3.5)(b)

• Page 32, Line 25of this section. For each of the identified credentials, the department of

• Page 33, Line 1education shall identify the state content standards that align with the

• Page 33, Line 2courses required to obtain the credential and post on the department's

• Page 33, Line 3website an explanation of the standards and course alignments for each credential.

• Page 33, Line 4(4) (b)  By June 30, 2017, and by June 30 each year thereafter

• Page 33, Line 5through June 30, 2025, each participating district, each nonparticipating

• Page 33, Line 6district on behalf of its participating charter schools, each participating

• Page 33, Line 7board of cooperative services, and the institute on behalf of each

• Page 33, Line 8participating institute charter school shall report to the department of

• Page 33, Line 9education the total number of pupils enrolled in the participating district,

• Page 33, Line 10the participating charter schools of the nonparticipating district, the

• Page 33, Line 11participating board of cooperative services, or the participating institute charter schools who, during the school year that ends on that June 30:

• Page 33, Line 12(5) (a)  Beginning in the 2023-24 budget year and each budget year

• Page 33, Line 13thereafter, the general assembly shall annually appropriate at least nine

• Page 33, Line 14million five hundred thousand dollars to the department of education for

• Page 33, Line 15the career development success program. For the 2025-26 budget year,

• Page 33, Line 16the general assembly shall appropriate five million dollars to

• Page 33, Line 17the department of education for the career development

• Page 33, Line 18success program. The department shall distribute the money as provided in this subsection (5).

• Page 33, Line 19(8)  At the hearing with the joint education committee of the

• Page 33, Line 20general assembly held in accordance with section 2-7-203 in November

• Page 33, Line 21or December 2017, and at the hearing held each year thereafter through

• Page 33, Line 222025, the department of education shall provide a report that describes the

• Page 33, Line 23outcomes achieved by the career development success program. At a

• Page 33, Line 24minimum, the report must include the following information:

• Page 34, Line 1(9)  This section is repealed, effective September 1, 2034 July 1, 2029.

• Page 34, Line 2SECTION 18.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-1-135, amend (3)(b)(I) as follows:

• Page 34, Line 323-1-135.  Department directive - undergraduate degree and

• Page 34, Line 4certificate programs - annual return on investment report - definition

• Page 34, Line 5- repeal. (3) (b)  The return on investment report must include

• Page 34, Line 6information concerning the undergraduate degree and certificate programs offered at each institution including, at a minimum:

• Page 34, Line 7(I)  The number of students enrolled in the undergraduate degree

• Page 34, Line 8or certificate program and the number of degrees and certificates awarded

• Page 34, Line 9annually for the program; specifically identifying the number of high

• Page 34, Line 10school students enrolled and the number of degrees and certificates

• Page 34, Line 11awarded; through the career development success program created in section 22-54-138;

• Page 34, Line 12SECTION 19.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-5-145.6, amend (3)(b) as follows:

• Page 34, Line 1323-5-145.6.  Opportunities for credential attainment - fund -

• Page 34, Line 14report - definitions - repeal. (3)  By January 1, 2024, the department, in

• Page 34, Line 15consultation with the representatives described in section 23-5-145.5 (5),

• Page 34, Line 16shall facilitate the creation of stackable credential pathways for at least

• Page 34, Line 17three growing industries identified by the most recent Colorado talent

• Page 34, Line 18report. By January 1, 2025, the department, in consultation with the

• Page 34, Line 19representatives described in section 23-5-145.5 (5), shall facilitate the

• Page 34, Line 20creation of stackable credential pathways for at least two additional

• Page 34, Line 21growing industries identified by the most recent Colorado talent report.

• Page 34, Line 22The department shall facilitate the creation of at least two stackable

• Page 35, Line 1credential pathways for each industry. The stackable credential pathways must include:

• Page 35, Line 2(b)  An inventory of credentials that are a part of the pathway,

• Page 35, Line 3offered by accredited and nonaccredited providers, including training and

• Page 35, Line 4industry credential providers, high schools, programs recognized by the

• Page 35, Line 5career development success program pursuant to section 22-54-138, postsecondary institutions, and nonprofit organizations;

• Page 35, Line 6SECTION 20.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-5-145.8, amend (2)(c) as follows:

• Page 35, Line 723-5-145.8.  Credential quality standards - report - definitions.

• Page 35, Line 8(2) (c)  Beginning January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the

• Page 35, Line 9department, in collaboration with the Colorado work force development

• Page 35, Line 10council, the department of education, the department of labor and

• Page 35, Line 11employment, and the Colorado office of economic development, shall

• Page 35, Line 12evaluate nondegree credentials offered through state-recognized programs

• Page 35, Line 13to ensure the credentials meet the quality standards set forth in the quality

• Page 35, Line 14nondegree credentials framework. State-recognized programs that are

• Page 35, Line 15required to ensure nondegree credential offerings meet the quality

• Page 35, Line 16standards set forth in the quality nondegree credentials framework include, but are not limited to,

• Page 35, Line 17(I)  The career development success program created pursuant to section 22-54-138; and

• Page 35, Line 18(II)   the stackable credential pathways identified pursuant to section 23-5-145.6 (3).

• Page 35, Line 19SECTION 21.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-18-202, amend (5)(c)(III) as follows:

• Page 35, Line 2023-18-202.  College opportunity fund - appropriations -

• Page 36, Line 1payment of stipends - reimbursement - report - repeal.

• Page 36, Line 2(5) (c) (III)  For an eligible undergraduate student who has completed one

• Page 36, Line 3or more college courses while enrolled in high school pursuant to the

• Page 36, Line 4"Concurrent Enrollment Programs Act", article 35 of title 22, or while

• Page 36, Line 5designated as an ASCENT program participant pursuant to section

• Page 36, Line 622-35-108 or as a TREP program participant pursuant to section

• Page 36, Line 722-35-108.5, or while enrolled in a pathways in technology early college

• Page 36, Line 8high school pursuant to article 35.3 of title 22, all college-level credit

• Page 36, Line 9hours earned by the student while so enrolled do not count against the lifetime limitation described in subsection (5)(c)(I) of this section.

• Page 36, Line 10SECTION 22.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-46.3-602, amend (4) as follows:

• Page 36, Line 1124-46.3-602.  Definitions. As used in this part 6 and part 7 of this article 46.3, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 36, Line 12(4)  "Industry-recognized credential" means a credential through

• Page 36, Line 13a program or offering qualified under the career development success

• Page 36, Line 14program pursuant to section 22-54-138 an "industry certification",

• Page 36, Line 15which has the same meaning set forth in section 23-5-145.8, and

• Page 36, Line 16a "nondegree credential", which has the same meaning set forth

• Page 36, Line 17in section 23-5-145.8, that satisfy the requirements developed

• Page 36, Line 18pursuant to section 23-5-145.6 (2) and are identified in the most

• Page 36, Line 19recent annual Colorado talent pipeline report prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103 (3).

• Page 36, Line 20SECTION 23.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-6-103, amend (5) as follows:

• Page 36, Line 2126.5-6-103.  Pathways to the classroom and retention strategies

• Page 36, Line 22for early childhood educators - standards - alignment across agencies

• Page 37, Line 1- report - rules. (5)  The department, the department of higher education,

• Page 37, Line 2and the department of education shall develop resources to support local

• Page 37, Line 3communities to increase concurrent enrollment opportunities for high

• Page 37, Line 4school students or other nontraditional students to earn higher education

• Page 37, Line 5credits and degrees that allow them to serve as early childhood educators

• Page 37, Line 6and shall support career pathways for high school students earning

• Page 37, Line 7college credits toward becoming early childhood educators, including

• Page 37, Line 8concurrent enrollment, career and technical education, the ASCENT program, and other career pathways.

• Page 37, Line 9SECTION 24.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, repeal 22-35-114 and part 2 of article 95.5 of title 22.

• Page 37, Line 10SECTION 25.  Effective date. This act takes effect upon passage;

• Page 37, Line 11except that sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 of this act take effect July 1, 2026.

• Page 37, Line 12SECTION 26.  Safety clause. The general assembly finds,

• Page 37, Line 13determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate

• Page 37, Line 14preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for

• Page 37, Line 15the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state institutions.