Senate Bill 25-315 Revised

A Bill for an Act

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

• Page 1, Line 102workforce readiness programs, and, in connection

• Page 1, Line 103therewith, making and reducing an appropriation.

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

• Page 2, Line 354 of title 22 as follows:

• PART 2

• Page 3, Line 1POSTSECONDARY AND WORKFORCE READINESS FUNDING

• Page 3, Line 222-54-201.  Legislative declaration. (1)  The general assembly finds that:

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

• Page 3, Line 4postsecondary and workforce readiness options and outcomes for students across the state;

• Page 3, Line 5(b)  Postsecondary and workforce readiness opportunities

• Page 3, Line 6increase student engagement, decrease dropout rates, and improve students' long-term workforce outcomes;

• Page 3, Line 7(c)  The Colorado evaluation and action lab, housed at

• Page 3, Line 8the university of Denver, found that concurrent enrollment is

• Page 3, Line 9shown to be highly effective in increasing college graduation

• Page 3, Line 10for Colorado students across various demographics. Students

• Page 3, Line 11who participate in concurrent enrollment are twenty-five

• Page 3, Line 12percent more likely to attend college, are eight percent more

• Page 3, Line 13likely to earn a two-year degree on time, are ten percent more

• Page 3, Line 14likely to earn a four-year degree on time, and earn higher wages

• Page 3, Line 15five years after entering the workforce.Therefore, maintaining

• Page 3, Line 16guaranteed transfer pathways and cooperative agreements

• Page 3, Line 17between local education providers and colleges is beneficial to students in Colorado and to the state as a whole.

• Page 3, Line 18(d)  It is the department's goal that for the high school

• Page 3, Line 19graduating class of 2029, and for each high school graduating

• Page 3, Line 20class thereafter, one hundred percent of high school graduates will have achieved at least one of the following:

• Page 3, Line 21(I)  Earned a quality, in-demand non-degree credential;

• Page 4, Line 1(II)  Earned twelve postsecondary credits that count toward a postsecondary credential; or

• Page 4, Line 2(III)  Participated in at least one high-quality work-based learning opportunity;

• Page 4, Line 3(e)  In order to achieve the goal described in subsection

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

• Page 4, Line 5work-based learning integration task force recommended

• Page 4, Line 6streamlining postsecondary and workforce readiness

• Page 4, Line 7programming and funding to increase access to postsecondary

• Page 4, Line 8credit, industry-recognized credentials, and work-based

• Page 4, Line 9learning, commonly referred to as the "big three", by mitigating

• Page 4, Line 10barriers and offering programming that supports achievement in the big three;

• Page 4, Line 11(f)  The postsecondary and workforce readiness financial

• Page 4, Line 12study found that student access to existing postsecondary and

• Page 4, Line 13workforce readiness programs is inequitable, with only

• Page 4, Line 14fifty-four percent of the state's one hundred seventy-eight

• Page 4, Line 15school districts participating in the funded programs included in the study;

• Page 4, Line 16(g)  Student individual career and academic plans provide

• Page 4, Line 17a process and portfolio for students to explore their interests

• Page 4, Line 18and various postsecondary career and educational opportunities across the big three; and

• Page 4, Line 19(h)  In addition to the student individual career and

• Page 4, Line 20academic plans described in subsection (1)(g) of this section,

• Page 4, Line 21educators play a crucial role in helping students meet students'

• Page 4, Line 22postsecondary workforce and readiness goals and achieving success in the big three.

• Page 5, Line 1(2)  Therefore, the general assembly declares that:

• Page 5, Line 2(a)  It is beneficial to consolidate current postsecondary

• Page 5, Line 3and workforce readiness programs that the department

• Page 5, Line 4administers into three funding streams for the purpose of

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

• Page 5, Line 6(b)  It is beneficial for local education providers to

• Page 5, Line 7receive flexibility with respect to their funding to establish or

• Page 5, Line 8increase student participation in opportunities for

• Page 5, Line 9postsecondary credit attainment, industry-recognized

• Page 5, Line 10credentials, and work-based learning and to enable scaling effective and innovative practices in the big three; and

• Page 5, Line 11(c)  Funding recipients are encouraged to consider ways in

• Page 5, Line 12which to collaborate and leverage economies of scale across local education providers to expand access for students.

• Page 5, Line 1322-54-202.  Definitions.As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 5, Line 14(1)  "Department" means the department of education, created in section 24-1-115.

• Page 5, Line 15(2)  "Industry-recognized credential" means an industry

• Page 5, Line 16certification and a nondegree credential, as both are defined in

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

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

• Page 5, Line 19recent annual Colorado talent pipeline report prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103 (3).

• Page 5, Line 20(3)  "John W. Buckner postsecondary and workforce

• Page 6, Line 1readiness innovation grant program" or "innovation grant

• Page 6, Line 2program" means the John W. Buckner postsecondary and

• Page 6, Line 3workforce readiness innovation grant program created in section 22-54-204.

• Page 6, Line 4(4)  "Local education provider" means a school district, a

• Page 6, Line 5charter school authorized by a school district pursuant to part

• Page 6, Line 61 of article 30.5 of this title 22, a charter school authorized by

• Page 6, Line 7the state charter school institute pursuant to part 5 of article

• Page 6, Line 830.5 of this title 22, or a board of cooperative services created

• Page 6, Line 9and operating pursuant to article 5 of this title 22 that operates one or more public schools.

• Page 6, Line 11(5)  "Postsecondary and workforce readiness start-up

• Page 6, Line 12funding" or "start-up funding" means funding pursuant to section 22-54-203.

• Page 6, Line 13(6)  "Postsecondary and workforce readiness sustain

• Page 6, Line 14funding" or "sustain funding" means funding pursuant to section 22-54-205.

• Page 6, Line 15(7)  "Postsecondary credit attainment" means a

• Page 6, Line 16transferrable college credit that may be attained while a

• Page 6, Line 17student is in high school, in alignment with the Colorado

• Page 6, Line 18commission on higher education admissions standards set forth

• Page 6, Line 19in section 23-1-113, which may include the successful completion

• Page 6, Line 20of a concurrent enrollment course as described in sections

• Page 6, Line 2122-35-103 and 22-35-104 (5)(b), a sufficient score as determined by

• Page 6, Line 22the state board of education on an end-of-course advanced

• Page 6, Line 23placement exam, or a sufficient score in an international baccalaureate course.

• Page 7, Line 1(8)  "Work-based learning" means demonstrating learning

• Page 7, Line 2through work or at work, consistent with the work-based

• Page 7, Line 3learning quality expectations established pursuant to section

• Page 7, Line 48-83-602 (5). "Work-based learning" includes the same meaning as set forth in section 8-83-601.

• Page 7, Line 522-54-203.  Start-up funding - rules - repeal. (1)  For the

• Page 7, Line 62025-26 budget year through the 2027-28 budget year, the

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

• Page 7, Line 8education provider's postsecondary and workforce readiness start-up funding.

• Page 7, Line 9(2) (a)  A local education provider's start-up funding is

• Page 7, Line 10determined by a formula developed or adopted by the state board.

• Page 7, Line 11(b)  The state board shall develop or adopt a formula to

• Page 7, Line 12determine a local education provider's start-up funding. The

• Page 7, Line 13purpose of the formula is to enhance equity in access to

• Page 7, Line 14postsecondary and workforce readiness programs by allocating

• Page 7, Line 15funds to local education providers whose characteristics are

• Page 7, Line 16considered by the formula's factors and demonstrate the need

• Page 7, Line 17for resources to achieve equity through developing and

• Page 7, Line 18implementing postsecondary and workforce readiness programs.

• Page 7, Line 19At a minimum, the formula must include factors that reflect the local education provider's:

• Page 7, Line 20(I)  Participation in postsecondary and workforce readiness opportunities;

• Page 7, Line 21(II)  Percentage of students who are enrolled in grades

• Page 8, Line 1nine through twelve and are eligible for free or reduced-price

• Page 8, Line 2lunch pursuant to the provisions of the federal "Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act", 42 U.S.C. sec. 1751 et seq.;

• Page 8, Line 3(III)  Chronic absenteeism rate of students who are enrolled in grades nine through twelve;

• Page 8, Line 4(IV)  High school graduation rate; and

• Page 8, Line 5(V)  Dropout rate, excluding students who are or were enrolled in an alternative school.

• Page 8, Line 6(c)  The state board shall establish a minimum number of

• Page 8, Line 7students and a maximum number of students to be used as a part

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

• Page 8, Line 9notwithstanding the local education provider's actual student

• Page 8, Line 10count used for purposes of determining start-up funding, a local

• Page 8, Line 11education provider's student count is not less than the minimum

• Page 8, Line 12number or more than the maximum number. The purpose of

• Page 8, Line 13establishing a minimum number of students and a maximum

• Page 8, Line 14number of students is to ensure that start-up funding is not disproportionately distributed.

• Page 8, Line 15(d)  The data used for each factor of the formula must be the most recent data validated by the department.

• Page 8, Line 16(e)  The formula may apply a different weight to each factor.

• Page 8, Line 17(f)  The formula must apply a higher weight to previously

• Page 8, Line 18low participation in postsecondary and workforce readiness opportunities.

• Page 8, Line 19(g)  The department shall calculate and distribute the

• Page 8, Line 20start-up funds determined pursuant to this section.

• Page 9, Line 1(3) (a)  A local education provider shall use start-up

• Page 9, Line 2funding for eligible expenses that are associated with

• Page 9, Line 3developing and implementing a postsecondary and workforce

• Page 9, Line 4readiness program that aligns with the state's workforce

• Page 9, Line 5demands or priorities and supports students in successfully

• Page 9, Line 6earning postsecondary credit or industry-recognized

• Page 9, Line 7credentials, or successfully completing work-based learning

• Page 9, Line 8requirements. Categories of eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

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

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

• Page 9, Line 10(III)  Professional development, certification, authorization, or licensure;

• Page 9, Line 11(IV)  Contracting with an entity or hiring school staff to

• Page 9, Line 12support the development and implementation of a postsecondary and workforce readiness program;

• Page 9, Line 13(V)  Individual career and academic plan resources, as

• Page 9, Line 14described in section 22-2-136, and supports, including academic and career advising and exploration; and

• Page 9, Line 15(VI)  Costs associated with concurrent enrollment.

• Page 9, Line 16(b)  Local education providers are encouraged to

• Page 9, Line 17collaborate with each other to maximize economies of scale and

• Page 9, Line 18expand student access to a postsecondary and workforce readiness program.

• Page 9, Line 19(4)  The state board shall adopt rules governing:

• Page 9, Line 20(a)  Additional eligibility requirements for a local

• Page 9, Line 21education provider to receive start-up funding pursuant to this

• Page 10, Line 1section. Eligibility requirements may vary based on the type of local education provider.

• Page 10, Line 2(b)  The formula developed or adopted pursuant to subsection (2) of this section;

• Page 10, Line 3(c)  Categories of eligible expenses and eligible expenses within the categories;

• Page 10, Line 4(d)  Eligibility for, and distribution of, funding for eligible

• Page 10, Line 5expenses within the categories described in subsection (3) of this

• Page 10, Line 6section. Eligibility may require satisfaction of certain

• Page 10, Line 7conditions. Eligibility and distribution rates may be categorized

• Page 10, Line 8or limited based on local-education-provider-specific demographics or other features as specified by state board rule.

• Page 10, Line 9(e)  Requirements of local education providers that receive funding pursuant to this section; and

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

• Page 10, Line 11(5)  The department may not use more than five percent of

• Page 10, Line 12the total amount of start-up funding in the 2026-27 budget year

• Page 10, Line 13through the 2027-28 budget year to offset the direct and indirect costs incurred in administering start-up funding.

• Page 10, Line 14(6)  This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2029.

• Page 10, Line 1522-54-204.  John W. Buckner postsecondary and workforce

• Page 10, Line 16readiness innovation grant program - creation - funding - rules.

• Page 10, Line 17(1)  Beginning in the 2028-29 budget year, the John W. Buckner

• Page 10, Line 18postsecondary and workforce readiness innovation grant

• Page 10, Line 19program is created in the department to provide grants to local

• Page 10, Line 20education providers that:

• Page 11, Line 1(a)  Are required to adopt a priority improvement plan or

• Page 11, Line 2a turnaround plan, or authorize schools that are required to

• Page 11, Line 3adopt a priority improvement plan or a turnaround plan, for the current or prior school year; or

• Page 11, Line 4(b)  Demonstrate, or authorize a school that

• Page 11, Line 5demonstrates, a low level of attainment on the postsecondary and workforce readiness indicator for the prior school year.

• Page 11, Line 6(2) (a)  The local education provider shall use innovation

• Page 11, Line 7grant program funding for eligible expenses associated with

• Page 11, Line 8developing and implementing a postsecondary and workforce

• Page 11, Line 9readiness program that aligns with the state's workforce

• Page 11, Line 10demands or priorities and supports students in successfully

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

• Page 11, Line 12credentials, or successfully completing work-based learning

• Page 11, Line 13requirements. Categories of eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Page 11, Line 14(I)  Program planning and design;

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

• Page 11, Line 15(III)  Professional development, certification, authorization, or licensure;

• Page 11, Line 16(IV)  Contracting with an entity or hiring school staff to

• Page 11, Line 17support the development and implementation of a postsecondary and workforce readiness program;

• Page 11, Line 18(V)  Individual career and academic plan resources, as

• Page 11, Line 19described in section 22-2-136, and supports, including academic and career advising and exploration; and

• Page 11, Line 20(VI)  Costs associated with concurrent enrollment.

• Page 12, Line 1(b)  Local education providers are encouraged to

• Page 12, Line 2collaborate with each other to maximize economies of scale and

• Page 12, Line 3expand student access to a postsecondary and workforce readiness program.

• Page 12, Line 4(3) (a)  The department shall administer the innovation

• Page 12, Line 5grant program, including reviewing the applications received pursuant to this section.

• Page 12, Line 6(b)  The department shall make grant award determinations.

• Page 12, Line 7(c)  In making grant award determinations, the department shall consider:

• Page 12, Line 8(I)  Whether the local education provider is required to

• Page 12, Line 9adopt a priority improvement plan or a turnaround plan for the current or prior school year;

• Page 12, Line 10(II)  The concentration of schools of a school district, or

• Page 12, Line 11the concentration of institute charter schools of the state

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

• Page 12, Line 13(III)  Whether the local education provider has been

• Page 12, Line 14identified under the state accountability system as declining in performance; and

• Page 12, Line 15(IV)  The local education provider's level of attainment

• Page 12, Line 16on the postsecondary and workforce readiness indicator, as described in section 22-11-204, in the prior year.

• Page 12, Line 17(d)  In making grant award determinations, the

• Page 12, Line 18department may consider and prioritize grant awards to local

• Page 12, Line 19education providers that have a higher than average

• Page 13, Line 1percentage of students who are English language learners,

• Page 13, Line 2that have a higher than average percentage of students who

• Page 13, Line 3are enrolled in grades nine through twelve and are eligible for

• Page 13, Line 4free or reduced-price lunch pursuant to the provisions of the

• Page 13, Line 5federal "Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act", 42

• Page 13, Line 6U.S.C. sec. 1751 et seq., that are a rural or small rural school

• Page 13, Line 7district, or that have a limited capacity to offer postsecondary workforce readiness programs.

• Page 13, Line 8(e)  Subject to available funding based on annual

• Page 13, Line 9appropriations, each grant awarded may continue for up to

• Page 13, Line 10three budget years. The department shall annually review each

• Page 13, Line 11grant recipient's use of the grant award and may rescind

• Page 13, Line 12remaining grant funds if the department finds that the grant

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

• Page 13, Line 14(4)  The state board may adopt rules governing:

• (a)  Application requirements;

• Page 13, Line 15(b)  Additional eligibility and prioritization requirements

• Page 13, Line 16for a local education provider to receive funding pursuant to this section;

• Page 13, Line 17(c)  Eligible expenses within the categories described in subsection (2) of this section;

• Page 13, Line 18(d)  Requirements of local education providers that receive funding pursuant to this section; and

• Page 13, Line 19(e)  Any other rules deemed necessary by the state board for the purposes of this section.

• Page 13, Line 20(5) (a)  The department may use not more than five percent

• Page 14, Line 1of the total amount of innovation grant program funding to

• Page 14, Line 2offset the direct and indirect costs incurred in administering the innovation grant program.

• Page 14, Line 3(b)  Of the money annually appropriated for the

• Page 14, Line 4innovation grant program, the department may expend an

• Page 14, Line 5amount that is necessary to enter into one or more contracts

• Page 14, Line 6with a public or private entity to provide the uses described in

• Page 14, Line 7subsection (2)(a) of this section to multiple local education

• Page 14, Line 8providers that are eligible for an innovation grant. The entity

• Page 14, Line 9shall use research-based strategies and have a proven record of success working with schools under similar circumstances.

• Page 14, Line 1022-54-205.  Sustain funding - rules - repeal. (1)  For the

• Page 14, Line 112026-27 budget year, and each budget year thereafter, the

• Page 14, Line 12department shall use this section to determine each local

• Page 14, Line 13education provider's postsecondary and workforce readiness

• Page 14, Line 14sustain funding. To the extent possible, the department shall

• Page 14, Line 15use existing data and each local education provider shall

• Page 14, Line 16provide data to the department to inform the department of each local education provider's sustain funding amount.

• Page 14, Line 17(2) (a)  A local education provider is eligible to receive

• Page 14, Line 18reimbursement for students who, in the preceding budget year,

• Page 14, Line 19successfully satisfied postsecondary credit, received an

• Page 14, Line 20industry-recognized credential, or satisfied work-based

• Page 14, Line 21learning requirements as specified by state board rule. A local

• Page 14, Line 22education provider is eligible to receive multiple

• Page 14, Line 23reimbursements for one student. A local education provider is

• Page 14, Line 24eligible for reimbursement for students who are enrolled in a p-tech school or participating in a TREP program.

• Page 15, Line 1(b) (I)  For the 2026-27 budget year, the department shall

• Page 15, Line 2divide the total amount of sustain funding for reimbursement into the following categories:

• Page 15, Line 3(A)  Twenty percent of the total amount of sustain

• Page 15, Line 4funding for reimbursement for postsecondary credit attainment;

• Page 15, Line 5(B)  Forty percent of the total amount of sustain funding for reimbursement for industry-recognized credentials earned;

• Page 15, Line 6(C)  Thirty-five percent of the total amount of sustain funding for reimbursement for work-based learning; and

• Page 15, Line 7(D)  Five percent of the total amount of sustain funding to

• Page 15, Line 8offset the direct and indirect costs incurred in administering the sustain funding.

• Page 15, Line 9(II)  Notwithstanding subsection (2)(b)(I) of this section, if

• Page 15, Line 10money that is allocated to a category is not expended because

• Page 15, Line 11of insufficient demand, the money may be reallocated to another category to satisfy that category's demand.

• Page 15, Line 12(III)  This subsection (2)(b) is repealed, effective July 1, 2028.

• Page 15, Line 13(c) (I)  For the 2027-28 budget year, and each budget year

• Page 15, Line 14thereafter, the state board shall determine the percentages of

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

• Page 15, Line 16to the postsecondary credit attainment, industry-recognized

• Page 15, Line 17credentials, and work-based learning categories, except that

• Page 15, Line 18the five percent of the total amount of sustain funding to offset

• Page 15, Line 19the direct and indirect costs incurred in administering the

• Page 16, Line 1sustain funding must not be changed. The percentages for each category are determined by state board rule.

• Page 16, Line 2(II)  In determining the percentages of the total amount of

• Page 16, Line 3sustain funding for reimbursement assigned to each category

• Page 16, Line 4pursuant to subsection (2)(c)(I) of this section, the state board

• Page 16, Line 5shall consider the availability of postsecondary and workforce

• Page 16, Line 6readiness opportunities offered by local education providers, student participation, and evidence of student outcomes.

• Page 16, Line 7(III)  Notwithstanding subsection (2)(c)(I) of this section,

• Page 16, Line 8if money that is allocated to a category is not expended because

• Page 16, Line 9of insufficient demand, the money may be reallocated to another category to satisfy that category's demand.

• Page 16, Line 10(d)  A local education provider may receive funding from

• Page 16, Line 11one or multiple categories described in subsection (2)(b)(I) of

• Page 16, Line 12this section in each budget year; except that in a budget year

• Page 16, Line 13when the general assembly does not appropriate a sufficient

• Page 16, Line 14amount to fully fund the distributions required pursuant to this

• Page 16, Line 15section, the department shall reduce the amount of each

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

• Page 16, Line 17proportionate percentage of the amount required to fully fund the distributions required pursuant to this section.

• Page 16, Line 18(3) (a)  A local education provider shall use sustain

• Page 16, Line 19funding for expenses that are associated with maintaining and

• Page 16, Line 20expanding its postsecondary and workforce readiness program

• Page 16, Line 21that aligns with the state's workforce demands or priorities. Categories of eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Page 16, Line 22(I)  Program planning and design;

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

• Page 17, Line 1(III)  Professional development, certification, authorization, or licensure;

• Page 17, Line 2(IV)  Contracting with an entity or hiring school staff to

• Page 17, Line 3support the development and implementation of a postsecondary and workforce readiness program;

• Page 17, Line 4(V)  Individual career and academic plan resources, as

• Page 17, Line 5described in section 22-2-136, and supports, including academic and career advising and exploration;

• Page 17, Line 6(VI)  Costs associated with concurrent enrollment; and

• Page 17, Line 7(VII)  Wages for employed apprentices participating in registered apprenticeships.

• Page 17, Line 8(b)  Local education providers are encouraged to

• Page 17, Line 9collaborate with each other to maximize economies of scale and

• Page 17, Line 10expand student access to a postsecondary and workforce readiness program.

• Page 17, Line 11(4)  The state board shall adopt rules governing:

• Page 17, Line 12(a)  Additional eligibility requirements for a local

• Page 17, Line 13education provider to receive funding pursuant to this section,

• Page 17, Line 14including criteria that constitute a student's successful

• Page 17, Line 15satisfaction of postsecondary credit, industry-recognized

• Page 17, Line 16credential, or work-based learning requirements. Eligibility

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

• Page 17, Line 18(b)  Categories of eligible expenses, and eligible expenses within the categories;

• Page 17, Line 19(c)  Reimbursement eligibility and rates, including limits

• Page 18, Line 1on a local education provider's annual total reimbursement and

• Page 18, Line 2annual reimbursement from one or multiple categories, based on local-education-provider-specific features or other features;

• Page 18, Line 3(d)  Requirements of a local education provider that receives funding pursuant to this section; and

• Page 18, Line 4(e)  Any other rules deemed necessary by the state board for the purposes of this section.

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

• Page 18, Line 6shall forward to the district charter school an amount equal

• Page 18, Line 7to one hundred percent of the sustain funding amount that the

• Page 18, Line 8school district receives for a student who is enrolled in the

• Page 18, Line 9district charter school and who satisfies the criteria that

• Page 18, Line 10constitute the student's successful satisfaction of

• Page 18, Line 11postsecondary credit, industry-recognized credential, or work-based learning requirements.

• Page 18, Line 12(b)  The state charter school institute shall forward to

• Page 18, Line 13an institute charter school an amount equal to one hundred

• Page 18, Line 14percent of the sustain funding amount that the state charter

• Page 18, Line 15school institute receives for a student who is enrolled in the

• Page 18, Line 16institute charter school and who satisfies the criteria that

• Page 18, Line 17constitute the student's successful satisfaction of

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

• Page 18, Line 1922-54-206.  Qualified industry credentials. (1)  On or before

• Page 18, Line 20January 30, 2026, and on or before January 30 each year

• Page 18, Line 21thereafter, the department and the work force development

• Page 18, Line 22council, in collaboration with the department of higher

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

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

• Page 19, Line 3of economic development shall jointly develop, and publish on

• Page 19, Line 4the department's and the work force development council's

• Page 19, Line 5websites, a list of the qualified industry credentials that meet

• Page 19, Line 6the quality standards required pursuant to section 23-5-145.8

• Page 19, Line 7(2)(c) for the next school year. At least annually, the

• Page 19, Line 8department and the work force development council, in

• Page 19, Line 9collaboration with the department of higher education, the

• Page 19, Line 10department of labor and employment, the Colorado community

• Page 19, Line 11college system, and the Colorado office of economic

• Page 19, Line 12development shall identify and review the qualified industry

• Page 19, Line 13credentials by identifying the jobs included in the Colorado

• Page 19, Line 14talent report, prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103, with the

• Page 19, Line 15greatest regional and state demand, including high-skill,

• Page 19, Line 16high-wage jobs in in-demand industries, and, after consultation

• Page 19, Line 17with relevant industries, identifying the qualified industry

• Page 19, Line 18credentials that have labor market value and are likely to

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

• Page 19, Line 20that the department and the work force development council

• Page 19, Line 21jointly determine do not demonstrate labor market value may

• Page 19, Line 22be removed from the department's and the work force development council's websites.

• Page 19, Line 23(2) (a)  Each local education provider shall regularly

• Page 19, Line 24communicate to all middle and high school students and the students' families:

• Page 19, Line 25(I)  The availability of concurrent enrollment programs; and

• Page 20, Line 1(II)  The availability of industry credential and

• Page 20, Line 2work-based learning programs and the benefits a student

• Page 20, Line 3receives as a result of successfully completing one of these programs or courses.

• Page 20, Line 4(b)  To the extent possible, all communications issued

• Page 20, Line 5pursuant to this subsection (2) must be provided in a language

• Page 20, Line 6that the students and the students' families understand. The

• Page 20, Line 7goal of the communications must be to increase participation in, and completion of, industry-recognized credentials.

• Page 20, Line 822-54-207.  Gifts, grants, and donations.The department may

• Page 20, Line 9seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from private or public sources for the purposes of this part 2.

• Page 20, Line 1022-54-208.  Postsecondary and workforce readiness program

• Page 20, Line 11report. (1)  Beginning January 2028, and each January thereafter,

• Page 20, Line 12the department of education shall report, at a minimum, findings

• Page 20, Line 13regarding the effectiveness of having consolidated the

• Page 20, Line 14postsecondary and workforce readiness programs that the

• Page 20, Line 15department administered into the funding streams created in

• Page 20, Line 16this part 2 for the purpose of building capacity to implement and

• Page 20, Line 17expand access to valuable postsecondary and workforce

• Page 20, Line 18readiness programs for students to the education committees of

• Page 20, Line 19the senate and the house of representatives, or their successor

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

• Page 20, Line 21(2)  On or before November 1, 2029, the department of

• Page 20, Line 22education shall report, at a minimum, findings regarding the

• Page 21, Line 1effectiveness of having consolidated the postsecondary and

• Page 21, Line 2workforce readiness programs that the department

• Page 21, Line 3administered into the funding streams created in this part 2 for

• Page 21, Line 4the purpose of building capacity to implement and expand access

• Page 21, Line 5to valuable postsecondary and workforce readiness programs

• Page 21, Line 6for students. Prior to creating the report, the department of

• Page 21, Line 7education shall consult with joint budget committee staff to determine the report's content.

• Page 21, Line 8(3)  Notwithstanding the requirement in section 24-1-136

• Page 21, Line 9(11)(a)(I), the requirement to submit the report described in subsection (1) of this section continues indefinitely.

• Page 21, Line 10SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-108, amend (2)(c); and add (8) and (9) as follows:

• Page 21, Line 1122-35-108.  Accelerating students through concurrent

• Page 21, Line 12enrollment program - objectives - non-tuition expenses - rules -

• Page 21, Line 13repeal. (2) (c)  For the 2025-26 state fiscal year, and each state fiscal year

• Page 21, Line 14thereafter, the local education provider shall not designate a total number

• Page 21, Line 15of ASCENT program participants that is greater than the total number of

• Page 21, Line 16ASCENT program participants that it designated in the 2024-25 state fiscal year.

• Page 21, Line 17(8)  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the local

• Page 21, Line 18education provider shall not designate a qualified student as an

• Page 21, Line 19ASCENT program participant for the 2026-27 state fiscal year or any state fiscal year thereafter.

• Page 21, Line 20(9)  This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2029.

• Page 21, Line 21SECTION 3.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-108.5, repeal

• Page 21, Line 22(2)(b)(II) as follows:

• Page 22, Line 122-35-108.5.  Teacher recruitment education and preparation

• Page 22, Line 2(TREP) program - objectives - selection criteria - rules - definition -

• Page 22, Line 3repeal. (2) (b) (II)  The general assembly shall annually fund each

• Page 22, Line 4potential TREP program participant at the same per-pupil rate as

• Page 22, Line 5determined by the ASCENT program as described in section 22-35-108.

• Page 22, Line 6For the 2022-23 budget year, the general assembly shall appropriate funding for no more than two hundred TREP program participants.

• Page 22, Line 7SECTION 4.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-30.5-112.2, amend (2)(b); and repeal (1)(b) as follows:

• Page 22, Line 822-30.5-112.2.  Charter schools - at-risk supplemental aid -

• Page 22, Line 9definitions - legislative declaration. (1)  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 22, Line 10(b)  "ASCENT program" means the accelerating students through concurrent enrollment program created in section 22-35-108.

• Page 22, Line 11(2) (b) (I)  Each qualifying school district must receive at-risk

• Page 22, Line 12supplemental aid if the percentage of at-risk pupils in a district charter

• Page 22, Line 13school authorized by the qualifying school district prior to July 1, 2004,

• Page 22, Line 14is less than the percentage of at-risk pupils in the qualifying school

• Page 22, Line 15district. The amount of the school district's at-risk supplemental aid is

• Page 22, Line 16equal to the difference between one hundred percent of district per pupil

• Page 22, Line 17revenues and one hundred percent of adjusted district per pupil revenues

• Page 22, Line 18for each pupil enrolled in the district charter school, not including online pupils or pupils enrolled in the ASCENT or TREP program.

• Page 22, Line 19(II)  Each district charter school in a qualifying school district that

• Page 22, Line 20was initially authorized prior to July 1, 2004, must receive at-risk

• Page 22, Line 21supplemental aid if the percentage of at-risk students in the district charter

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

• Page 23, Line 1district. The amount of the district charter school's at-risk supplemental

• Page 23, Line 2aid is equal to the difference between one hundred percent of adjusted

• Page 23, Line 3district per pupil revenues and one hundred percent of district per pupil

• Page 23, Line 4revenues for each pupil enrolled in the district charter school, not

• Page 23, Line 5including online pupils or pupils enrolled in the ASCENT or TREP

• Page 23, Line 6program. A school district shall pass through one hundred percent of a

• Page 23, Line 7district charter school's at-risk supplemental aid to the district charter school.

• Page 23, Line 8(III)  Each district charter school in a school district that is not a

• Page 23, Line 9qualifying district and whose percentage of at-risk pupils exceeds the

• Page 23, Line 10percentage of at-risk pupils in the chartering school district must receive

• Page 23, Line 11at-risk supplemental aid. The amount of the district charter school's

• Page 23, Line 12at-risk supplemental aid is equal to the difference between one hundred

• Page 23, Line 13percent of adjusted district per pupil revenues and one hundred percent

• Page 23, Line 14of district per pupil revenues for each pupil enrolled in the district charter

• Page 23, Line 15school, not including online pupils or pupils enrolled in the ASCENT or

• Page 23, Line 16TREP program. A school district shall pass through one hundred percent

• Page 23, Line 17of a district charter school's at-risk supplemental aid to the district charter school.

• Page 23, Line 18SECTION 5.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-30.5-513, amend (4.5)(b) as follows:

• Page 23, Line 1922-30.5-513.  Institute charter schools - funding - at-risk

• Page 23, Line 20supplemental aid - legislative declaration - definitions. (4.5) (b)  The

• Page 23, Line 21institute charter school's at-risk supplemental aid is equal to one-half of

• Page 23, Line 22the difference between one hundred percent of the accounting district's

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

• Page 23, Line 24adjusted per pupil revenues for each pupil enrolled in the district charter

• Page 24, Line 1school, not including online pupils or pupils enrolled in the ASCENT or TREP program.

• Page 24, Line 2SECTION 6.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-102, repeal (3) as follows:

• Page 24, Line 322-35-102.  Legislative declaration. (3)  The general assembly

• Page 24, Line 4further finds and declares its intention that the administrative costs

• Page 24, Line 5incurred by the department of education in its implementation of the

• Page 24, Line 6accelerating students through concurrent enrollment program created in

• Page 24, Line 7section 22-35-108 shall be supported by federal funds available for

• Page 24, Line 8government services pursuant to section 14002 of Title XIV of the federal

• Page 24, Line 9"American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009", Public Law 111-5 of the one hundred eleventh United States Congress.

• Page 24, Line 10SECTION 7.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-103, repeal (1.5) as follows:

• Page 24, Line 1122-35-103.  Definitions. As used in this article 35, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 24, Line 12(1.5)  "ASCENT program" means the accelerating students through concurrent enrollment program created in section 22-35-108.

• Page 24, Line 13SECTION 8.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-104, amend (1)(a)(III), (1)(d) introductory portion, and (1)(e) as follows:

• Page 24, Line 1422-35-104.  Enrollment in an institution of higher education -

• Page 24, Line 15cooperative agreement. (1) (a) (III)  Except as described in subsections

• Page 24, Line 16(1)(c) and (1)(d) of this section and sections 22-35-108 and section

• Page 24, Line 1722-35-109, a local education provider shall not limit the number of

• Page 24, Line 18postsecondary courses, including academic courses and career and

• Page 24, Line 19technical education courses, which that may include course work

• Page 24, Line 20coursework related to apprenticeship programs or internship programs,

• Page 25, Line 1in which a qualified student may concurrently enroll during the ninth,

• Page 25, Line 2tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade, except to the degree that the local

• Page 25, Line 3education provider is unable to provide access to the postsecondary courses due to technological capacity.

• Page 25, Line 4(d)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1)(a) of this

• Page 25, Line 5section, if a qualified student is not a participant in the ASCENT or TREP

• Page 25, Line 6program and has not satisfied the minimum requirements for graduation

• Page 25, Line 7established by his or her the qualified student's local education

• Page 25, Line 8provider by the end of his or her their twelfth-grade year and is therefore

• Page 25, Line 9retained by the local education provider for additional instruction, the

• Page 25, Line 10qualified student shall must not concurrently enroll in postsecondary

• Page 25, Line 11courses, including academic or career and technical education courses,

• Page 25, Line 12which that may include course work coursework related to

• Page 25, Line 13apprenticeship programs or internship programs, that are worth more than

• Page 25, Line 14a total of nine credit hours, including gateway courses, as defined in

• Page 25, Line 15section 23-1-113 (11)(b.5), with additional supports through supplemental

• Page 25, Line 16academic 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 17(e)  Except as described in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this

• Page 25, Line 18subsection (1) subsections (1)(c) and (1)(d) of this section and

• Page 25, Line 19sections 22-35-108 and section 22-35-109, the state board by rule shall

• Page 25, Line 20not limit the number of postsecondary courses, including academic

• Page 25, Line 21courses and career and technical education courses, which that may

• Page 25, Line 22include course work coursework related to apprenticeship programs or

• Page 25, Line 23internship programs, in which a qualified student may concurrently enroll during the ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade.

• Page 25, Line 24SECTION 9.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-107, amend

• Page 26, Line 1(6)(a), (6)(e), and (7) introductory portion; and repeal (6)(d) and (7)(a) as follows:

• Page 26, Line 222-35-107.  Concurrent enrollment advisory board - created -

• Page 26, Line 3membership - duties - reports - repeal. (6)  The board has the following duties:

• Page 26, Line 4(a)  Establishing guidelines for the administration of the ASCENT

• Page 26, Line 5program pursuant to section 22-35-108 (4) and the TREP program pursuant to section 22-35-108.5 (4);

• Page 26, Line 6(d)  On or before December 1, 2022, considering and making

• Page 26, Line 7recommendations to the state board and the education committees of the

• Page 26, Line 8house of representatives and senate, or any successor committees,

• Page 26, Line 9regarding the feasibility of a waiver process whereby a local education

• Page 26, Line 10provider, on behalf of a qualified student, could apply to the department

• Page 26, Line 11for a waiver of certain provisions of section 22-35-108, which waiver

• Page 26, Line 12would allow the local education provider to designate the student as an

• Page 26, Line 13ASCENT program participant in the second year following the year in

• Page 26, Line 14which the qualified student was enrolled in the twelfth grade of the local education provider so long as the qualifying student:

• Page 26, Line 15(I)  Was so designated in the year directly following the year in

• Page 26, Line 16which the qualified student was enrolled in the twelfth grade of the local education provider;

• Page 26, Line 17(II)  Requires fifteen or fewer credit hours of postsecondary course work to achieve a postsecondary credential; and

• Page 26, Line 18(III)  Is eligible for free or reduced-price lunch pursuant to the

• Page 26, Line 19federal "Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act", 42 U.S.C. sec. 1751 et seq.;

• Page 26, Line 20(e)  Submitting to the state board for its approval or disapproval

• Page 27, Line 1recommendations made pursuant to paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subsection (6) subsection (6)(c) of this section;

• Page 27, Line 2(7)  On or before December 1, 2010, and on or before December

• Page 27, Line 31 each year thereafter, the board shall prepare a report and submit it to the

• Page 27, Line 4state board and the commission. The report, at a minimum, shall must include:

• Page 27, Line 5(a)  Any guidelines that the board has established pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of this section; and

• Page 27, Line 6SECTION 10.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-113, amend (1)(a) as follows:

• Page 27, Line 722-35-113.  Concurrent enrollment - website. (1)  By July 1,

• Page 27, Line 82020, the department of education and the department of higher

• Page 27, Line 9education, with advice from the state board, shall make available to the

• Page 27, Line 10public a concurrent enrollment website to provide information to students,

• Page 27, Line 11parents, and legal guardians concerning concurrent enrollment options

• Page 27, Line 12and requirements. The departments must ensure that the website is clear,

• Page 27, Line 13easy to navigate, and generally user-friendly. In addition, the website must, at a minimum:

• Page 27, Line 14(a)  Clearly explain, differentiate, compare, and contrast

• Page 27, Line 15concurrent enrollment; dual enrollment programs; early college; the

• Page 27, Line 16ASCENT program; the TREP program; p-tech high schools, as defined

• Page 27, Line 17in section 22-35.3-102; international baccalaureate programs; and advanced placement courses;

• Page 27, Line 18SECTION 11.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-115, add (8) as follows:

• Page 27, Line 1922-35-115.  Postsecondary and workforce readiness programs

• Page 27, Line 20- financial study - funding - reports - legislative declaration -

• Page 28, Line 1definitions - repeal. (8)  This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.

• Page 28, Line 2SECTION 12.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-35-116 as follows:

• Page 28, Line 322-35-116.  Teacher recruitment and preparation (TREP)

• Page 28, Line 4program and pathways in early technology early college high schools

• Page 28, Line 5(p-tech) working group - report - repeal. (1)  The department shall

• Page 28, Line 6convene a working group that includes educators to make

• Page 28, Line 7findings and recommendations concerning the effectiveness of

• Page 28, Line 8the teacher recruitment and preparation program, created in

• Page 28, Line 9section 22-35-108.5, and the pathways in technology early

• Page 28, Line 10college high schools, created in part 1 of article 35.3 of this title 22, and any related findings and recommendations.

• Page 28, Line 11(2)  On or before December 1, 2025, the working group

• Page 28, Line 12shall report its findings and recommendations to the joint budget committee.

• Page 28, Line 13(3)  This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2027.

• Page 28, Line 14SECTION 13.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35.3-103, amend (4) as follows:

• Page 28, Line 1522-35.3-103.  Pathways in technology early college high schools

• Page 28, Line 16- design - requirements - approval. (4)  A p-tech school is subject to the

• Page 28, Line 17state assessment requirements specified in section 22-7-1006.3 and the

• Page 28, Line 18accountability requirements specified in article 11 of this title 22. In

• Page 28, Line 19addition, the commissioner and the executive director may establish

• Page 28, Line 20indicators for measuring the performance of each p-tech school, which

• Page 28, Line 21indicators may include the ability of students who graduate from a p-tech

• Page 28, Line 22school to obtain employment in the field or to pursue additional

• Page 29, Line 1postsecondary education in the field, as well as any relevant performance

• Page 29, Line 2indicators established for the concurrent enrollment ASCENT, and TREP programs.

• Page 29, Line 3SECTION 14.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-54-103, amend (5.2); and repeal (1.4) as follows:

• Page 29, Line 422-54-103.  Definitions. As used in this article 54, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 29, Line 5(1.4)  "ASCENT program" means the accelerating students through concurrent enrollment program created in section 22-35-108.

• Page 29, Line 6(5.2)  "District extended high school pupil enrollment" means the

• Page 29, Line 7number of pupils, on the pupil enrollment count day within the applicable

• Page 29, Line 8budget year, who are concurrently enrolled in a postsecondary course,

• Page 29, Line 9including an academic course or a career and technical education course,

• Page 29, Line 10as a participant in the ASCENT program or the TREP program and the

• Page 29, Line 11number of pupils, on the pupil enrollment count day within the applicable

• Page 29, Line 12budget year, who are enrolled in grade thirteen or fourteen in a p-tech

• Page 29, Line 13school. A pupil enrolled in a p-tech school pursuant to article 35.3 of this

• Page 29, Line 14title 22 must be included in the district extended high school pupil

• Page 29, Line 15enrollment as a full-time student. An ASCENT program participant or A

• Page 29, Line 16TREP program participant who is enrolled in at least twelve credit hours

• Page 29, Line 17of postsecondary courses, including academic courses and career and

• Page 29, Line 18technical education courses, as of the pupil enrollment count day of the

• Page 29, Line 19applicable budget year must be included in the district extended high

• Page 29, Line 20school pupil enrollment as a full-time pupil. An ASCENT program

• Page 29, Line 21participant or A TREP program participant who is enrolled in less than

• Page 29, Line 22twelve credit hours of postsecondary courses, including academic courses

• Page 29, Line 23and career and technical education courses, as of the pupil enrollment

• Page 30, Line 1count day of the applicable budget year must be included in the district extended high school pupil enrollment as a part-time pupil.

• Page 30, Line 2SECTION 15.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-54-103.5, amend (8)(a); and add (8)(c) as follows:

• Page 30, Line 322-54-103.5.  District total program - rules - legislative

• Page 30, Line 4declaration - repeal. (8)  District extended high school funding. (a)  A district's extended high school funding is:

• Page 30, Line 5(District extended high school pupil enrollment x $9,588 $10,480,

• Page 30, Line 6or an amount determined pursuant subsection (8)(b) of this section).

• Page 30, Line 7(c) (I)  Notwithstanding subsections (8)(a) and (8)(b) of this

• Page 30, Line 8section, for the 2025-26 budget year, the dollar amount that is

• Page 30, Line 9multiplied by the number of full-time equivalent students

• Page 30, Line 10included in the district's high school pupil enrollment who are

• Page 30, Line 11the district's ASCENT program participants is seven thousand one hundred four dollars ($7,104).

• Page 30, Line 12(II)  This subsection (8)(c) is repealed, effective July 1, 2028.

• Page 30, Line 13SECTION 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 1422-54-104.  District total program - legislative declaration -

• Page 30, Line 15definitions - repeal. (4.7) (a)  For the 2024-25 2025-26 budget year and

• Page 30, Line 16budget years thereafter, a district's extended high school funding shall be determined in accordance with the following formula is:

• Page 30, Line 17(District extended high school pupil enrollment x $6,135 $10,480,

• Page 30, Line 18or an amount determined pursuant to subsection (4)(d) of this section).

• Page 30, Line 19(d)  For the 2024-25 2025-26 budget year, and each budget year

• Page 31, Line 1thereafter, the dollar amount set forth in subsection (4.7)(a) of this section

• Page 31, Line 2must be increased by the percentage by which the statewide base per pupil

• Page 31, Line 3funding for that budget year, as specified in subsection (5)(a) of this

• Page 31, Line 4section, is increased over the statewide base per pupil funding for the

• Page 31, Line 52007-08 budget year, as specified in subsection (5)(a)(XIV) of this

• Page 31, Line 6section. except that the dollar amount that is multiplied by the number of

• Page 31, Line 7full-time equivalent students included in the district's extended high

• Page 31, Line 8school pupil enrollment who are the district's ASCENT program

• Page 31, Line 9participants 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 10(e) (I)  Notwithstanding subsections (4.7)(a) and (4.7)(d) of

• Page 31, Line 11this section, for the 2025-26 budget year, the dollar amount

• Page 31, Line 12that is multiplied by the number of full-time equivalent

• Page 31, Line 13students included in the district's high school pupil enrollment

• Page 31, Line 14who are the district's ASCENT program participants is seven thousand one hundred four dollars ($7,104).

• Page 31, Line 15(II)  This subsection (4.7)(e) is repealed, effective July 1, 2028.

• Page 31, Line 16SECTION 17.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-54-138, amend

• Page 31, Line 17(2), (3)(a), (3.5)(a), (4)(b) introductory portion, (5)(a), (8) introductory portion, and (9) as follows:

• Page 31, Line 1822-54-138.  Career development success program - created -

• Page 31, Line 19funding - report - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal.

• Page 31, Line 20(2)  There is created the career development success program in the

• Page 31, Line 21department of education to provide financial incentives for participating

• Page 31, Line 22districts, a participating board of cooperative services, and participating

• Page 31, Line 23charter schools to encourage pupils enrolled in grades nine through

• Page 32, Line 1twelve to enroll in and successfully complete qualified industry-credential

• Page 32, Line 2programs; qualified workplace training programs; and qualified advanced

• Page 32, Line 3placement courses. For the 2017-18 budget year and each budget year

• Page 32, Line 4thereafter through the 2025-26 budget year, each participating

• Page 32, Line 5district, each participating board of cooperative services, and each

• Page 32, Line 6participating charter school, as provided in subsection (5) of this section,

• Page 32, Line 7may receive up to one thousand dollars for each pupil who, in the

• Page 32, Line 8preceding budget year, successfully completes a qualified

• Page 32, Line 9industry-credential program; qualified workplace training program; or qualified advanced placement course.

• Page 32, Line 10(3) (a)  On or before August 15, 2016, and on or before July 1 each

• Page 32, Line 11year thereafter through July 1, 2025, the work force development

• Page 32, Line 12council, in collaboration with the department of higher education, the

• Page 32, Line 13department of education, the department of labor and employment, the

• Page 32, Line 14Colorado community college system, and the Colorado office of

• Page 32, Line 15economic development, shall publish on the council's website a list of the

• Page 32, Line 16qualified industry-credential programs and qualified workplace training

• Page 32, Line 17programs that meet the quality standards required pursuant to section

• Page 32, Line 1823-5-145.8 (2)(c) for that school year. At least annually, the council and

• Page 32, Line 19its partners shall identify and review the qualified industry-credential

• Page 32, Line 20programs and qualified workplace training programs by identifying the

• Page 32, Line 21jobs included in the Colorado talent report, prepared pursuant to section

• Page 32, Line 2224-46.3-103, with the greatest regional and state demand, including

• Page 32, Line 23high-skill, high-wage jobs in in-demand industries, and, after consultation

• Page 32, Line 24with relevant industries, identifying the programs that have labor market

• Page 32, Line 25value and are likely to lead to the identified jobs. Any programs that the

• Page 32, Line 26council determines do not demonstrate labor market value may be removed from the council's website.

• Page 33, Line 1(3.5) (a)  Beginning in the For the 2022-23 school year and for

• Page 33, Line 2each school year thereafter through the 2025-26 school year, the

• Page 33, Line 3department of education, in coordination with the department of labor and

• Page 33, Line 4employment, the department of higher education, the Colorado

• Page 33, Line 5community college system, and employers from in-demand industries,

• Page 33, Line 6shall identify the top ten industry-recognized credentials, each of which

• Page 33, Line 7must at a minimum meet the requirements specified in subsection (3.5)(b)

• Page 33, Line 8of this section. For each of the identified credentials, the department of

• Page 33, Line 9education shall identify the state content standards that align with the

• Page 33, Line 10courses required to obtain the credential and post on the department's

• Page 33, Line 11website an explanation of the standards and course alignments for each credential.

• Page 33, Line 12(4) (b)  By June 30, 2017, and by June 30 each year thereafter

• Page 33, Line 13through June 30, 2025, each participating district, each nonparticipating

• Page 33, Line 14district on behalf of its participating charter schools, each participating

• Page 33, Line 15board of cooperative services, and the institute on behalf of each

• Page 33, Line 16participating institute charter school shall report to the department of

• Page 33, Line 17education the total number of pupils enrolled in the participating district,

• Page 33, Line 18the participating charter schools of the nonparticipating district, the

• Page 33, Line 19participating board of cooperative services, or the participating institute charter schools who, during the school year that ends on that June 30:

• Page 33, Line 20(5) (a)  Beginning in the 2023-24 budget year and each budget year

• Page 33, Line 21thereafter, the general assembly shall annually appropriate at least nine

• Page 33, Line 22million five hundred thousand dollars to the department of education for

• Page 33, Line 23the career development success program. For the 2025-26 budget year,

• Page 33, Line 24the general assembly shall appropriate five million dollars to

• Page 34, Line 1the department of education for the career development

• Page 34, Line 2success program.For the 2025-26 budget year, of the five million

• Page 34, Line 3dollars for the career development success program, the

• Page 34, Line 4department may expend an amount that is necessary to offset

• Page 34, Line 5the direct and indirect costs incurred in administering

• Page 34, Line 6postsecondary and workforce readiness start-up funding

• Page 34, Line 7pursuant to section 22-54-203. The department shall distribute the money as provided in this subsection (5).

• Page 34, Line 8(8)  At the hearing with the joint education committee of the

• Page 34, Line 9general assembly held in accordance with section 2-7-203 in November

• Page 34, Line 10or December 2017, and at the hearing held each year thereafter through

• Page 34, Line 112025, the department of education shall provide a report that describes the

• Page 34, Line 12outcomes achieved by the career development success program. At a minimum, the report must include the following information:

• Page 34, Line 13(9)  This section is repealed, effective September 1, 2034 July 1, 2029.

• Page 34, Line 14SECTION 18.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-1-135, amend (3)(b)(I) as follows:

• Page 34, Line 1523-1-135.  Department directive - undergraduate degree and

• Page 34, Line 16certificate programs - annual return on investment report - definition

• Page 34, Line 17- repeal. (3) (b)  The return on investment report must include

• Page 34, Line 18information concerning the undergraduate degree and certificate programs offered at each institution including, at a minimum:

• Page 34, Line 19(I)  The number of students enrolled in the undergraduate degree

• Page 34, Line 20or certificate program and the number of degrees and certificates awarded

• Page 34, Line 21annually for the program; specifically identifying the number of high

• Page 34, Line 22school students enrolled and the number of degrees and certificates

• Page 35, Line 1awarded; through the career development success program created in section 22-54-138;

• Page 35, Line 2SECTION 19.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-5-145.6, amend (3)(b) as follows:

• Page 35, Line 323-5-145.6.  Opportunities for credential attainment - fund -

• Page 35, Line 4report - definitions - repeal. (3)  By January 1, 2024, the department, in

• Page 35, Line 5consultation with the representatives described in section 23-5-145.5 (5),

• Page 35, Line 6shall facilitate the creation of stackable credential pathways for at least

• Page 35, Line 7three growing industries identified by the most recent Colorado talent

• Page 35, Line 8report. By January 1, 2025, the department, in consultation with the

• Page 35, Line 9representatives described in section 23-5-145.5 (5), shall facilitate the

• Page 35, Line 10creation of stackable credential pathways for at least two additional

• Page 35, Line 11growing industries identified by the most recent Colorado talent report.

• Page 35, Line 12The department shall facilitate the creation of at least two stackable

• Page 35, Line 13credential pathways for each industry. The stackable credential pathways must include:

• Page 35, Line 14(b)  An inventory of credentials that are a part of the pathway,

• Page 35, Line 15offered by accredited and nonaccredited providers, including training and

• Page 35, Line 16industry credential providers, high schools, programs recognized by the

• Page 35, Line 17career development success program pursuant to section 22-54-138, postsecondary institutions, and nonprofit organizations;

• Page 35, Line 18SECTION 20.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-5-145.8, amend (2)(c) as follows:

• Page 35, Line 1923-5-145.8.  Credential quality standards - report - definitions.

• Page 35, Line 20(2) (c)  Beginning January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the

• Page 35, Line 21department, in collaboration with the Colorado work force development

• Page 35, Line 22council, the department of education, the department of labor and

• Page 36, Line 1employment, and the Colorado office of economic development, shall

• Page 36, Line 2evaluate nondegree credentials offered through state-recognized programs

• Page 36, Line 3to ensure the credentials meet the quality standards set forth in the quality

• Page 36, Line 4nondegree credentials framework. State-recognized programs that are

• Page 36, Line 5required to ensure nondegree credential offerings meet the quality

• Page 36, Line 6standards set forth in the quality nondegree credentials framework include, but are not limited to,

• Page 36, Line 7(I)  The career development success program created pursuant to section 22-54-138; and

• Page 36, Line 8(II)   the stackable credential pathways identified pursuant to section 23-5-145.6 (3).

• Page 36, Line 10SECTION 21.  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 22.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-6-103, amend

• Page 36, Line 21(5) as follows:

• Page 37, Line 126.5-6-103.  Pathways to the classroom and retention strategies

• Page 37, Line 2for early childhood educators - standards - alignment across agencies

• Page 37, Line 3- report - rules. (5)  The department, the department of higher education,

• Page 37, Line 4and the department of education shall develop resources to support local

• Page 37, Line 5communities to increase concurrent enrollment opportunities for high

• Page 37, Line 6school students or other nontraditional students to earn higher education

• Page 37, Line 7credits and degrees that allow them to serve as early childhood educators

• Page 37, Line 8and shall support career pathways for high school students earning

• Page 37, Line 9college credits toward becoming early childhood educators, including

• Page 37, Line 10concurrent enrollment, career and technical education, the ASCENT program, and other career pathways.

• Page 37, Line 11SECTION 23.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-91-104, amend (1), (4), and (5)(a) as follows:

• Page 37, Line 1222-91-104.  School counselor corps grant program - application

• Page 37, Line 13- criteria - grant awards - rules. (1)  An education provider seeking a

• Page 37, Line 14grant from the program shall must submit an application to the school

• Page 37, Line 15counselor corps advisory board existing within the department in

• Page 37, Line 16accordance with the rules adopted by the state board. The school

• Page 37, Line 17counselor corps advisory board shall review each grant application

• Page 37, Line 18received and make recommendations to the department and state board

• Page 37, Line 19concerning whether a grant should be awarded to the education provider

• Page 37, Line 20and the recommended amount of the grant. If the school counselor corps

• Page 37, Line 21advisory board determines an application is missing any information

• Page 37, Line 22required by rule to be included with the application, the school counselor

• Page 37, Line 23corps advisory board may contact the education provider to obtain the missing information.

• Page 37, Line 24(4)  The department and the state board shall consult with experts

• Page 38, Line 1in the area of school counseling, including, but not limited to, school

• Page 38, Line 2counselors, persons who provide education and professional development

• Page 38, Line 3in the areas of school counseling and career counseling, and higher

• Page 38, Line 4education admissions officers, in establishing any additional criteria for

• Page 38, Line 5awarding grants and in reviewing applications and selecting grant recipients.

• Page 38, Line 6(5) (a)  Subject to available appropriations, the state board

• Page 38, Line 7department shall award grants to applying education providers pursuant

• Page 38, Line 8to this section. The state board shall base the grant awards on the

• Page 38, Line 9department's recommendations. Each grant has a term of four years

• Page 38, Line 10beginning in the 2014-15 budget year. In making a grant award, the state board department shall specify the amount of each grant.

• Page 38, Line 11SECTION 24.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, repeal 22-35-114 and part 2 of article 95.5 of title 22.

• Page 38, Line 12SECTION 25.  Appropriation - adjustments to 2025 long bill.

• Page 38, Line 13(1)  To implement this act, appropriations made in the annual general

• Page 38, Line 14appropriation act for the 2025-26 state fiscal year to the department of education are adjusted as follows:

• Page 38, Line 15(a)  The general fund appropriation for use by management and administration for grants administration is reduced by $3,999;

• Page 38, Line 16(b)  The appropriation from the state education fund created in

• Page 38, Line 17section 17 (4)(a) of article IX of the state constitution for use by school

• Page 38, Line 18district operations for state share of districts' total program funding is increased by $2,257,275;

• Page 38, Line 19(c)  The appropriation from the state education fund created in

• Page 38, Line 20section 17 (4)(a) of article IX of the state constitution for use by school

• Page 38, Line 21district operations for extended high school is decreased by $6,703,048;

• Page 39, Line 1(d)  The general fund appropriation for use by student pathways for

• Page 39, Line 2the career development success program is decreased by $4,521,670, and the related FTE is decreased by 0.6 FTE;

• Page 39, Line 3(e)  The appropriation from the marijuana tax cash fund created in

• Page 39, Line 4Section 39-28.8-501 (1), C.R.S., for use by student pathways for the

• Page 39, Line 5concurrent enrollment expansion and innovation grant program is

• Page 39, Line 6decreased by $1,476,948, and the related FTE for college and career readiness is decreased by 0.3 FTE;

• Page 39, Line 7(f)  The general fund appropriation for use by student pathways for

• Page 39, Line 8the John W. Buckner automatic enrollment in advanced courses grant

• Page 39, Line 9program is decreased by $247,914, and the related FTE is decreased by 0.3 FTE.

• Page 39, Line 10(2)  For the 2025-26 state fiscal year, $5,018,715 is appropriated

• Page 39, Line 11to the department of education for use by student pathways. This

• Page 39, Line 12appropriation consists of $4,773,583 from the general fund and $245,132

• Page 39, Line 13from the state education fund created in section 17 (4)(a) of article IX of

• Page 39, Line 14the state constitution. To implement this act, the department may use this appropriation as follows:

• Page 39, Line 15(a)  $482,217 from the general fund for postsecondary workforce

• Page 39, Line 16readiness administration, which amount is based on an assumption that the department will require an additional 5.1 FTE; and

• Page 39, Line 17(b)  $4,291,366 from the general fund and $245,132 from the state

• Page 39, Line 18education fund created in section 17 (4)(a) of article IX of the state

• Page 39, Line 19constitution for postsecondary workforce readiness start-up funding distributions to local education providers.

• Page 39, Line 20(3)  For the 2025-26 state fiscal year, $160,073 is appropriated to

• Page 39, Line 21the department of education for use by school quality and support. This

• Page 40, Line 1appropriation is from the general fund and is based on an assumption that

• Page 40, Line 2the division will require an additional 1.0 FTE. To implement this act, the

• Page 40, Line 3division may use this appropriation for accountability and improvement

• Page 40, Line 4planning. Any money appropriated in this subsection not expended prior

• Page 40, Line 5to July 1, 2026, is further appropriated to the division for the 2026-27 state fiscal year for the same purpose.

• Page 40, Line 6SECTION 26.  Effective date. This act takes effect upon passage;

• Page 40, Line 7except that sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 of this act take effect July 1, 2026.

• Page 40, Line 8SECTION 27.  Safety clause. The general assembly finds,

• Page 40, Line 9determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate

• Page 40, Line 10preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for

• Page 40, Line 11the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state institutions.