06BA306F0B4A9CAD87258462005AEDBD Hearing Summary

The committee came back to order.

Sarah Pingel, Senior Policy Analyst, Education Commission of the States (ECS), and Damion Pechota, Policy Analyst, ECS, introduced themselves to the committee and gave a brief background of ECS. Ms. Pingel and Mr. Pechota discussed the recently conducted education consumer data survey done in partnership with Strada and Gallup. The survey is representative of all demographics and all states and the District of Columbia. The presentation can be found online here:http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/survey_presentation_co_final_for_cmte.pdf. Ms. Pingel reviewed the data from the survey with the committee. She discussed the main reasons students are not currently enrolled in higher education courses, the largest reasons being that students are already employed and cannot sacrifice earnings, in addition to the financial cost of higher education. Ms. Pingel discussed possible policy changes that would impact students' likelihood to enroll in classes.  Policy changes include a lower-cost tuition or free college, courses that match employer needs, guaranteed employment outcomes, and courses that match a specific schedule. Ms. Pingel answered questions from the committee.

Mr. Pechota discussed the implications of the survey data with the committee, including that students with all types of post secondary credentials report value and employability from their post secondary experience.

Ms. Pingel and Mr. Pechota answered questions from the committee.