h_ed_2017a_2017-01-23t13:35:14z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 01/23/2017

Location: HCR 0112

01:36 PM -- HB17-1042



Representative Wilson presented and summarized House Bill 16-1042 concerning an increase to funding for full-day kindergarten. Under current law, students who are enrolled in kindergarten are counted as half-day students for purposes of school finance, and each school district receives an additional .08 of a full-day student for each enrolled kindergarten student. Beginning with FY 2017-18, this bill increases the supplemental kindergarten enrollment calculation to provide .16 of a full-day pupil. Representative Wilson provided background information on current kindergarten programs in Colorado and the impact on local governments. Representative Wilson distributed a copy of current Colorado statute regarding full-day kindergarten (Attachment A).



17HouseEd0123AttachA.pdf



01:46 PM



Representative Wilson answered questions from the committee regarding state budgetary restrictions for funding full-day kindergarten.



The following people testified on the bill:



01:48 PM -- Lacey LeDoux, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill. She discussed her experience with full-day kindergarten programs in Canyon City.



01:55 PM -- Chelsea Henkel, representing Stand for Children, spoke in favor of the bill. She provided background information on full-day kindergarten programs. Ms. Henkel discussed the long term affects on students and fiscal impacts to school districts for not having full-day kindergarten programs.



Ms. Henkel answered questions from the committee regarding the average activities and curriculum for full-day kindergarten programs.



02:02 PM -- Dr. Moira Coogan, representing the Colorado Association of Elementary School Principals, spoke in favor of the bill. She discussed the long term affects of full-day kindergarten programs. Dr. Coogan spoke on the financial impact on families in school districts that charge for full-day kindergarten programs.



Dr. Coogan answered questions from the committee regarding sliding scales available to parents and families for full-day kindergarten programs.



02:10 PM -- Bill Jaeger, Vice President of Early Childhood Initiatives, Colorado Children's Campaign, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed kindergarten enrollment in Colorado.



The committee members provided comments on the bill.