s_ed_2017a_2017-03-23t13:32:35z7 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/23/2017

Location: SCR 352

03:27 PM -- HB17-1160



Senator Priola and Senator Fields, co-sponsors, presented House Bill 17-1160 which concerns authorizing a local education provider to determine the language in which a student who is an English language learner takes reading assessments in kindergarten through third grade. Senator Gardner took over as committee chair.



The following people testified on the bill:



03:31 PM -- Lisa Escarcega, representing the Colorado Association of School Executives, the Colorado Education Association, the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance, and the Colorado Association of School Boards, testified in support of the bill.



03:36 PM -- Christine Muldoon, representing Denver Public Schools, testified in support of the bill.





03:48 PM



The preceding two witnesses answered questions from the committee.



03:55 PM -- Jorge Garcia, representing the Colorado Association for Bilingual Education, testified in support of the bill.



04:04 PM -- Hunter Smith, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



04:08 PM -- Val Flores, representing the State Board of Education, testified in opposition to the bill.



04:17 PM -- Steve Durham, representing the State Board of Education, testified in opposition to the bill.





04:33 PM



The preceding two witnesses answered questions from the committee. Committee discussion ensued.



04:37 PM -- Jack Teter, representing Democrats for Education Reform, testified in support of the bill.



04:40 PM -- Leslie Colwell, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill.



04:43 PM -- Caroline Ellis, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Ellis answered questions from the committee.





04:55 PM



There were no more witnesses and Senator Gardner closed public testimony. Senator Gardner laid the bill over for action only to a later date to be determined.