H_ED_2019A 02/06/2019 07:46:43 AM Committee Summary

Dr. Katy Anthes, Commissioner of Education, Colorado Department of Education (CDE), introduced herself to the committee and provided an overview of the presentations from the State Board of Education (SBE) and CDE. Dr. Anthes distributed a handout outlining the constitutional and statutory authority of the board (Attachment A) and a sample agenda of a board meeting (Attachment B).

Dr. Angelika Schroeder, Chair, SBE, introduced herself to the committee and discussed the board's responsibilities, including the board's role in oversight of the commissioner and CDE; rule making; standards and assessments; graduation rates; school and district accountability; oversight of charter and online schools; school and district funding; educator preparation and licensure; and school district waivers. She also explained the agenda that was distributed as Attachment B and described the various items on that agenda.

Dr. Schroeder answered questions from the committee about public comment at board meetings. Dr. Schroeder clarified that when they are in a quasi judicial meeting regarding charter appeals, the public is present and the board complies with the state open meetings requirement, but the public is not allowed to provide comment. Dr. Anthes answered questions regarding open meeting laws and stated that the board operates as judges when they are in quasi judicial hearings.

Dr. Schroeder continued to respond to questions from the committee regarding the board's role in intervening when a school is on the accountability clock. Dr. Schroeder and Dr. Anthes responded to questions about the accountability system and the board's role in that process.

Dr. Anthes began the presentation regarding teacher shortage, recruitment, and retention and introduced the panel. She distributed the executive summary of the CDE Report on Colorado's Teacher Shortages (Attachment C), which was released last year, an update on the implementation of recently passed legislation (Attachment D), and a copy of the panel's presentation (Attachment E).

Dr. Colleen O'Neil, Associate Commissioner for Educator Talent, CDE, discussed the legislative report on teacher shortages and explained the stakeholder proceess.

Dr. Brittany Lane, Director of Educator Preparation, Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), discussed the goals that came out of the research and efforts from the stakeholder process in the report. She also updated the committee on implementation of legislation passed in the 2018 Legislative Session. Dr. Lane responded to questions from the committee about incentives for special education teachers.

Dr. O'Neil continued to discuss implementation of legislation, including the funding of residency programs to attract new teachers and programs that focus on retaining teachers and the grow your own educator program. She stated that CDE will provide a report to the committee on the grow your own educator program. Dr. O'Neil discussed additional statewide initiatives, including educator talent pathways development through Careers in Colorado, public service campaigns, the Troops to Teachers Career Skills Program, and teacher recruitment programs.

Dr. O'Neil answered committee questions about teacher recruitment.