S_ED_2023A 01/13/2023 01:36:21 PM Committee Summary

Marisa Edwards, Jenny Atchley, and Crystal Dorsey, representing the Office of the State Auditor, presented audit recommendations not fully implemented for the Foster Care Education Initiative at the Department of Education. Their attachments can be found here: https://leg.colorado.gov/content/hed2023asmartact.

Annie Levinsky and April Legg representing History Colorado (HC), presented HC's SMART Act materials, which are available here: https://leg.colorado.gov/content/hed2023asmartact. The presentation focused on HC's eleven museums and historic sites, HC's goal to engage one million people annually by 2025, recent and historic engagement, and HC's future plans.

Ms. Levinsky and Ms. Legg responded to committee members' questions.

Dr. Katy Anthes, Commissioner of Education, presented the Colorado Department of Education's (CDE) SMART Act presentation to the committee. The presentation materials are available here: https://leg.colorado.gov/content/hed2023asmartact. CDE's presentation focused on the department's strategic plan, student academic achievement, recent graduation and dropout rates, READ Act implementation, teacher workforce challenges, and an ESSER funding update.

Dr. Anthes responded to committee members' questions.

Dr. Anthes answered questions about the number of students opting out of assessments such as CMAS, ACT and PSAT, and the achievement gap between white and non-white students.

Dr. Floyd Cobb, representing CDE, continued the department's presentation.

Dr. Lisa Roy, Department of Early Childhood (DEC) Executive Director, presented the DEC's SMART Act presentation to the committee. Presentation materials are available here: https://leg.colorado.gov/content/hed2023asmartact. DEC's presentation focused on the department's priorities, implementation of universal preschool, stimulus funding implementation, early childhood workforce, community and family support programs, and the department's legislative, regulatory, and budget priorities.

Colleen Lynn, representing DEC, continued DEC's presentation.

Mary Alice Cohen, representing DEC, continued the department's presentation.

CDE panelists responded to committee members' questions.

Michael Cooke, Early Childhood Transition Director, responded to committee members' questions.

Tom Massey, representing DEC, continued the department's presentation.

Michelle Stillwell-Parvensky, representing DEC, continued the department's presentation.

Jeanni Stefanik, representing DEC, wrapped up the department's presentation.

Kristina Heyl, representing the Early Childhood Leadership Commission (ECLC), presented the commission's SMART Act presentation to the committee. Presentation materials are available here: https://leg.colorado.gov/content/hed2023asmartact. ECLC's presentation focused on the commission's composition, statutory duties, organizational structure, guiding principals, and future plans.

Senator Zenzinger discussed the JBC's expectations for funding for education in the FY 2023-24 budget.

Dr. Angie Paccione, Department of Higher (DHE) Education Executive Director, presented the department's SMART Act presentation to the committee. Presentation materials are available here: https://leg.colorado.gov/content/hed2023asmartact. The department's presentation focused on DHE's strategic plan and goals, EDI efforts, stimulus funding implementation, and the deparment's legislative, regulatory, and budget priorities.

Sarah Hughes, representing the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, continued the department's presentation.

Dr. Roberto Montoya, Dr. Cynthia Armendariz, and Michael Vente, representing DHE, continued the department's presentation.

No one appeared to provide public testimony.