C.R.S. § 22-60.5-111.5 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 60.5 / Part 1 / Section 22-60.5-111.5
22-60.5-111.5. Teacher degree apprenticeship program - guidelines - teacher apprenticeship prog
Status: in_force

22-60.5-111.5. Teacher degree apprenticeship program - guidelines - teacher apprenticeship program sponsors - application for authorization with the department - criteria for authorization - program audit. (1) The department shall create and establish guidelines for a teacher degree apprenticeship program on or before January 1, 2024. The department's guidelines must not create unreasonable barriers that prevent access to the teacher apprenticeship program. The guidelines must include:

(a) The minimum passing score for any examination, which must not exceed what is required for any teacher licensure candidate;

(b) Apprentice competencies aligned to the Colorado teacher quality standards and licensure area content standards, which are independently and exclusively evaluated by the apprentice mentor teacher, program administrator, or program evaluator;

(c) A provision that apprentice mentor teachers are selected at the full discretion of the employer; and

(d) A requirement that a teacher apprentice works as a teacher of record for a minimum of one year.

(2) (a) The state board of education shall authorize qualified agencies with expertise in apprenticeship or in teacher preparation to serve as teacher apprenticeship program sponsors in partnership with employer partners, including any school districts, BOCES, charter schools, nonpublic schools, or institutes. The department shall determine the number of new agencies eligible to receive authorization.

(b) An entity that wishes to serve as a teacher apprenticeship program sponsor shall notify the state department of education and submit an application that, at a minimum, documents the entity's expertise with apprenticeship or with teacher preparation.

(c) Within thirty days after an entity submits a complete application to the state department of education, the state board of education shall notify the entity that the state board of education has either approved or disapproved the sponsorship application.

(3) (a) In addition to submitting an application to be approved as a teacher apprenticeship program sponsor, the entity shall submit an application for the sponsor's teacher degree apprenticeship program to the state board of education for approval. The application for the teacher degree apprenticeship program must include a work process schedule and related instruction plan as set forth by the United States department of labor or a state apprenticeship agency.

(b) The state department of education shall review applications for the teacher degree apprenticeship program and shall make recommendations to the state board of education for approval or denial of the applications.

(c) Within ninety days after a teacher apprenticeship program sponsor submits a complete application to the state department of education, the state board of education shall notify the teacher apprenticeship program sponsor that the state board of education has either approved or denied the application for the teacher degree apprenticeship program. If the application is denied, the state board of education shall cite the reasons for the denial.

(4) An approved teacher degree apprenticeship program must meet the following criteria:

(a) Be registered with the United States department of labor's office of apprenticeship or state apprenticeship agency;

(b) Include a plan for training and supporting apprentice mentor teachers;

(c) Include a wage scale commensurate with existing pay scales of local education providers based on the level of work being performed;

(d) The approved teacher degree apprenticeship program incorporates a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a related field of study relative to the endorsement area that the program's participants will pursue. The bachelor's degree program does not need to be an approved educator preparation program pursuant to section 23-1-121.

(e) The bachelor's degree program referenced in subsection (4)(d) of this section must incorporate on-the-job training in meaningful and time-saving ways through one of the following mechanisms:

(I) Offering thirty or more credits for successfully completing on-the-job training;

(II) Creating a residency model that closely integrates course work and clinical experience with relevant and connected assignments carried out in the clinical experience that counts as twenty-five percent or more toward the degree;

(III) Embedding on-the-job learning into the homework or assignment requirements of twenty-five percent or more of the courses within the degree; or

(IV) Operating as a competency-based bachelor's degree program.

(5) (a) Every five years after program approval, the state department of education shall consult with the United States department of labor's apprenticeship office, or state apprenticeship agency representatives, regarding the audit required pursuant to 29 CFR 29.3 to review program compliance and audit findings to ensure the approved teacher degree apprenticeship program continues to meet the requirements. An approved teacher degree apprenticeship program that does not meet the requirements is subject to disqualification by the state department of education.

(b) If disqualified, the teacher apprenticeship program sponsor may continue to operate the teacher degree apprenticeship program only as long as necessary to allow the actively registered apprentices to finish.

(c) If the teacher apprenticeship program sponsor redesigns the teacher degree apprenticeship program to meet the requirements, and the state board of education approves the redesigned teacher degree apprenticeship program, the teacher apprenticeship program sponsor may reinstate apprenticeship authorization, provided the teacher apprenticeship program sponsor meets the requirements for approval.

(6) The state department of education shall annually include data on teacher degree apprenticeship programs in the existing educator preparation program report dashboard, consistent with the data and reporting requirements in section 22-2-112 (1)(q). The department shall coordinate with the United States department of labor's office of apprenticeship or the state apprenticeship agency to source the data.
C.R.S. § 22-54-141 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 54 / Section 22-54-141
22-54-141. Additional funding for rural schools - 2019-20 budget year - definitions - repea
Status: repealed

22-54-141. Additional funding for rural schools - 2019-20 budget year - definitions - repeal. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 22-52-108 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 52 / Section 22-52-108
22-52-108. Repeal of article
Status: repealed

22-52-108. Repeal of article. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 22-7-303 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 7 / Part 3 / Section 22-7-303
22-7-303. Colorado state advisory council for parent involvement in education - created -
Status: repealed

22-7-303. Colorado state advisory council for parent involvement in education - created - membership. (1) There is created in the department of education the Colorado state advisory council for parent involvement in education. The council consists of members appointed as provided in this section and has the powers and duties specified in this part 3. The council is a type 2 entity, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions under the department, the commissioner of education, and the state board of education.

(2) The council shall consist of the following members:

(a) The following members appointed by the state board:

(I) One person from each congressional district who is a parent of a child enrolled in a publicly funded preschool program, in any of grades kindergarten through twelve, or in a state-supported institution of higher education. Four of the members appointed pursuant to this subsection (2)(a)(I) must be members of a school accountability committee or a school district accountability committee. In making the appointments pursuant to this subsection (2)(a)(I), the state board shall consider the student populations that are significantly represented in the state.

(II) A representative from each of two state-based nonprofit organizations that specialize in promoting the involvement of parents of traditionally underserved populations;

(III) A representative from a nonprofit organization that specializes in promoting the involvement of parents of students with disabilities;

(IV) A representative from a nonprofit organization that partners with funding providers, state agencies, and service providers to assist organizations in providing services to improve the health and well-being of families and children;

(V) A representative of a statewide organization of parents and teachers;

(VI) Repealed.

(VII) A representative of a statewide organization that represents school executives;

(VIII) A representative of a statewide organization that represents members of school district boards of education;

(IX) A representative of a statewide organization that represents teachers;

(X) A representative of a statewide organization that represents charter schools;

(XI) A representative of a statewide organization that represents career and college guidance counselors; and

(XII) Repealed.

(XIII) A person with expertise in early childhood care and education;

(b) One or more representatives from the department of education, appointed by the commissioner of education, with expertise in the following areas:

(I) Strategies to close the achievement and growth gap;

(II) The program for the education of migrant children described in article 23 of this title;

(III) The English language proficiency program described in article 24 of this title;

(IV) Federal title I programs;

(V) The education of exceptional children, as defined in section 22-20-103 (12); and

(VI) The family literacy education grant program created in section 22-2-124;

(c) Two persons appointed by the executive director of the department of higher education;

(d) A representative of the department of human services appointed by the executive director of the department of human services; and

(e) A representative of the department of early childhood appointed by the executive director of the department of early childhood.

(3) (a) A person may not be appointed to fill more than one of the member positions required in subsection (2) of this section in a single term. Each appointing authority shall make its initial appointments on or before October 1, 2009. Each member of the council shall serve at the pleasure of the member's appointing authority. The appropriate appointing authority shall fill any vacancies arising during a member's term on the council.

(b) The state board, in appointing members to the council, shall, to the extent practicable, select persons who will reflect the gender balance and ethnic and racial diversity of the state and will provide representation from throughout the state.

(4) The council members appointed pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section shall serve three-year terms; except that, of the persons initially appointed, the state board shall select four who shall serve initial terms of one year and four who shall serve initial terms of two years.

(5) The state board shall call the first meeting of the council to be held no later than November 15, 2009. At its first meeting, and annually thereafter, the council shall select from among its members a person to serve as chair of the council. The council shall meet upon call of the chair as often as necessary to accomplish its duties as specified in this part 3.

(6) The council members shall serve without compensation but may receive reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties pursuant to this part 3, including but not limited to expenses incurred in providing a regional training program pursuant to section 22-7-304 (3).
C.R.S. § 22-1-104.3 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 1 / Section 22-1-104.3
22-1-104.3. History, culture, social contributions, and civil government in education commis
Status: in_force

22-1-104.3. History, culture, social contributions, and civil government in education commission - established - membership - duties. (1) There is established the history, culture, social contributions, and civil government in education commission, referred to in this section as the "commission". The purpose of the commission is to make recommendations to the state board of education and department of education to be used in conjunction with the regular six-year review of the state's education standards and programs pursuant to section 22-7-1005 (6). The recommendations must seek to further the discovery, interpretation, and learning of the history, culture, social contributions, and civil government of the United States and Colorado, including the contributions of American Indians, Latinos, African Americans, and Asian Americans, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals within these minority groups, and the intersectionality of significant social and cultural features within these communities, and the contributions and persecution of religious minorities. The commission shall work cooperatively and in conjunction with the department of education and local school boards of education as described in section 22-1-104.

(2) The commission consists of sixteen members and, to the extent practicable, must include persons from throughout the state and persons with disabilities and must reflect the ethnic diversity of the state. A majority of the commission members must have either classroom experience or experience in developing education content standards. On or before August 15, 2019, the appointing officials shall appoint membership of the commission as follows:

(a) The governor shall appoint, through the office of boards and commissions, the following members of the commission:

(I) Two members from the American Indian community;

(II) Two members from the Latino community;

(III) Two members from the African American community;

(IV) Two members from the Asian American community;

(V) One member from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community;

(VI) One member who is a teacher and holds an initial or professional teacher license pursuant to article 60.5 of this title 22;

(VII) One member from an organization that represents either school superintendents or local school boards; and

(VIII) Two members representing higher education. One member must represent a large state institution of higher education, and one member must represent a smaller state institution of higher education.

(b) The commissioner of education shall appoint two members from the department of education, who are nonvoting members; and

(c) The president of the state historical society, established in part 2 of article 80 of title 24, or the president's designee, who is a nonvoting member.

(3) Commission members serve for terms of four years; except that, of the members first appointed, two members appointed pursuant to each of subsections (2)(a)(I), (2)(a)(II), and (2)(a)(III) of this section and one member appointed pursuant to subsection (2)(a)(IV) of this section, as designated by the governor, serve initial terms of two years. The appointing officials shall fill any vacancies on the commission for the remainder of any unexpired term.

(4) Beginning in September 2019, the commission shall meet a minimum of two times per year and additionally as needed in conjunction with the community forums established in section 22-1-104 (3)(a).

(5) Commission members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for actual and reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
C.R.S. § 22-35.3-101 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 35.3 / Part 1 / Section 22-35.3-101
22-35.3-101. Legislative declaration
Status: in_force

22-35.3-101. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds that:

(a) The pathways in technology early college high school model (p-tech) allows students to graduate from high school with a high school diploma and an industry-recognized associate degree. Students in a p-tech school may also earn pre-apprenticeship certificates and other industry-recognized certificates in addition to an associate degree.

(b) The success of p-tech schools depends upon close collaboration between a local education provider, a community college, and one or more local high-growth industry employers;

(c) The p-tech school model has been recently established in other states, including New York, Connecticut, and Illinois, and is showing promise; and

(d) Graduating more high school students with career-ready skills to meet Colorado's workforce needs is part of the state's education and economic development goals.

(2) The general assembly therefore declares that establishing a limited number of p-tech schools in the state will benefit students and industry in Colorado.
C.R.S. § 22-69-105 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 69 / Section 22-69-105
22-69-105. Alternative teacher compensation plan grant program - rules - awarding grants
Status: in_force

22-69-105. Alternative teacher compensation plan grant program - rules - awarding grants. (1) The state board shall promulgate rules in accordance with the "State Administrative Procedure Act", article 4 of title 24, C.R.S., for implementation of the grant program. At a minimum, the rules shall specify the procedures and time frames for applying for the grant, the form of the grant application, the information to be provided by the school district applicant, and any additional criteria for awarding grants.

(2) The department shall review each grant application received from a school district pursuant to section 22-69-104 and shall make recommendations to the state board concerning whether a grant should be awarded to a school district and the amount of the grant to be awarded. If the department determines that an application is missing any information required by rule of the state board to be included with the application, the department may contact the school district to obtain the missing information.

(3) Subject to available appropriations, beginning in the 2008-09 fiscal year, the state board shall annually award grants under the grant program to applying school districts, taking into account the department's recommendations.

(4) The department is authorized to seek and accept gifts, grants, and donations from private and public sources for the implementation of the grant program pursuant to this article.

(5) The department may annually expend no more than two percent of the moneys annually appropriated for the grant program to offset the direct and indirect costs incurred in implementing the grant program pursuant to this article.

(6) The general assembly may annually determine the amount to appropriate from the state education fund or from any other source to the department to fund grants to school districts for the purposes of this article.
C.R.S. § 22-60.5-302 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 60.5 / Part 3 / Section 22-60.5-302
22-60.5-302. Professional principal licensees - master certification
Status: in_force

22-60.5-302. Professional principal licensees - master certification. The department of education may, in its discretion, issue a master certificate to any applicant who holds a valid professional principal license and who meets the criteria for master certification as specified by rule and regulation of the state board of education. Master certification shall recognize those professional principal licensees who are involved in ongoing professional development and training and who have advanced competencies or expertise or who have demonstrated outstanding achievements. Any master certificate issued pursuant to this section shall be valid for the period of time for which the applicant's professional principal license is valid and is renewable at its expiration.
C.R.S. § 22-82.7-105 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 82.7 / Section 22-82.7-105
22-82.7-105. Start smart nutrition program fund - creation - administrative costs
Status: in_force

22-82.7-105. Start smart nutrition program fund - creation - administrative costs. (1) There is hereby created in the state treasury the start smart nutrition program fund. The fund shall consist of:

(a) Such moneys as are appropriated to the fund by the general assembly pursuant to section 22-82.7-104 (1);

(b) Any gifts, grants, or donations received by the department for the fund pursuant to section 22-82.7-104 (2); and

(c) Any other moneys directed to the fund by the department.

(2) The moneys in the fund shall be subject to annual appropriation by the general assembly for the direct and indirect costs associated with the implementation of the program pursuant to the provisions of this article. The department may expend not more than one percent of the moneys annually appropriated from the fund to offset the direct and indirect costs incurred by the department in implementing the program pursuant to this article.

(3) Any moneys in the fund not expended for the purpose of this article may be invested by the state treasurer as provided by law. All interest and income derived from the investment and deposit of moneys in the fund shall be credited to the fund. Any unexpended and unencumbered moneys remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall remain in the fund and shall not be credited or transferred to the general fund or another fund.
C.R.S. § 22-31-113 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 31 / Section 22-31-113
22-31-113. Notice of school election
Status: in_force

22-31-113. Notice of school election. (Deleted by amendment)
C.R.S. § 22-105.5-102 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 105.5 / Section 22-105.5-102
22-105.5-102. Legislative declaration
Status: in_force

22-105.5-102. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds that high-quality out-of-school time programs provide academic enrichment in reading, language arts, mathematics, and science, and provide programs and services that are designed to reinforce and complement school-based academic programs in a safe and healthy environment for students.

(2) Therefore, the general assembly declares it necessary to support high-quality out-of-school time programs as an investment in the academic enrichment and well-being of the children of our state.
C.R.S. § 22-30.5-704 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 30.5 / Part 7 / Section 22-30.5-704
22-30.5-704. Excess benefits - cancellation of contracts - civil action and penalty
Status: in_force

22-30.5-704. Excess benefits - cancellation of contracts - civil action and penalty. (1) If a fiduciary other than an authorizer, operating under the authority of a preliminary order or an order for reorganization, determines that a charter respondent has engaged in an excess benefit transaction, the fiduciary may:

(a) Cancel in writing and without penalty any contract entered into by the charter school that awards the excess benefit to an individual or another entity and cancel any further compensation to the party that received the excess benefit. The fiduciary may demand the return, within ten business days, to the charter respondent of all excess benefits paid within the preceding three years or, if the excessive payment has been concealed from the charter respondent's full governing board, the preceding six years.

(b) If payment is not made as demanded pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (1), file in the name of the charter respondent, a civil action for recovery of the excess benefit and imposition of a civil penalty. If the court finds that the charter respondent paid the excess benefit and the person receiving the excess benefit did not repay the amount within ten business days following the demand for repayment, the court shall deem the excess benefit an unauthorized payment of charter school moneys and award the charter respondent, through the fiduciary, an amount fixed in the court's discretion and based on all the circumstances. However, the amount shall not be less than the excess benefit paid and shall not be more than double the excess benefit paid plus all reasonable attorney fees and costs. If the court finds that the fiduciary did not have a reasonable basis in law and fact for claiming an excess benefit and filing the action, it may award the party defending the action attorney fees and costs.
C.R.S. § 22-2-102 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 2 / Part 1 / Section 22-2-102
22-2-102. Definitions
Status: in_force

22-2-102. Definitions. As used in this part 1, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Commissioner of education" or "commissioner" means the office of the commissioner of education created and existing pursuant to section 1 of article IX of the state constitution.

(2) "Department of education" or "department" means the department of education created and existing pursuant to section 24-1-115, C.R.S.

(3) "Nonpublic school" means a school organized and maintained by a recognized religious or independent association performing an academic function.

(4) "Public school" means a school maintained and operated by a school district.

(4.5) "Pupil enrollment count day" has the same meaning as set forth in section 22-54-103 (10.5).

(5) "State board of education" or "state board" means the state board of education created and existing pursuant to section 1 of article IX of the state constitution.
C.R.S. § 22-38-111 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 38 / Section 22-38-111
22-38-111. Pilot schools - admission of students
Status: in_force

22-38-111. Pilot schools - admission of students. (1) Expelled students and any at-risk students otherwise eligible to attend sixth through ninth grades and under seventeen years of age may voluntarily apply to any pilot school. No student shall be compelled to attend a pilot school. Each pilot school shall devise its own application and admission procedures. An application shall, at a minimum, include:

(a) The name, address, gender, race, ethnicity, and age of the student;

(b) If the student was expelled, the reasons for the expulsion, the date of the expulsion, and the disciplinary record of the student;

(c) Whether the student is applying to be a full-time residential student;

(d) A statement from the student explaining why he or she would benefit from the pilot school program;

(e) Academic records for the prior three years, including classes taken, grades or evaluations received, grade point average, results of any diagnostic testing, and results of standardized tests;

(f) The student's and parent's, guardian's, or legal custodian's consent to submit to drug testing if required by the pilot school;

(g) Information concerning the financial resources and income of the parent or legal guardian of the student consistent with the state board's guidelines promulgated pursuant to section 22-38-104 (7);

(h) Information about the extracurricular activities, sports, hobbies, or out-of-school employment of the student before expulsion; and

(i) Any other application information required by the pilot school to which the student is applying.

(2) Each student is eligible to apply to the pilot school serving the county where the student resides. A student may also apply to any other pilot school that has not filled all of its sixty student slots.

(3) Students admitted to a pilot school may continue to be enrolled at the pilot school after the expiration of any period of expulsion from their original schools. Students of pilot schools who were not originally enrolled as expelled students may continue to be enrolled pursuant to the policies and regulations adopted by the pilot school.

(4) Students enrolled in a pilot school pursuant to this section are in addition to students receiving educational services from the pilot school under an agreement entered into pursuant to section 22-33-203 (2). Students receiving such educational services shall not be subject to the admissions requirements that are applied to enrolling students, but shall be eligible to receive services as provided under the agreement.
C.R.S. § 22-7-304 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 7 / Part 3 / Section 22-7-304
22-7-304. Council - advisory duties - technical assistance - report
Status: in_force

22-7-304. Council - advisory duties - technical assistance - report. (1) The council shall inform, at a minimum, the early childhood councils, public schools, school districts, the state charter school institute, the department, the state board, the department of higher education, the Colorado commission on higher education, and the governing boards for the state institutions of higher education concerning best practices and strategies, aligned with the national standards for family-school partnerships, for increasing parent involvement in public education and promoting family and school partnerships, including but not limited to best practices and strategies in the following areas:

(a) Creating and implementing programs to effectively involve parents in improving their children's education and levels of academic achievement. To identify these best practices and strategies, the council shall review the programs implemented in other states and the results of state and national research conducted in this area.

(b) Involving parents in programs to raise academic achievement, increase high school graduation rates, decrease student dropout rates, and close the achievement and growth gap;

(c) Involving parents in a multi-tiered system of supports in public schools and school districts;

(d) Involving parents in programs to raise academic achievement, improve the persistence rate, and improve the on-time graduation rate of students enrolled in institutions of higher education;

(e) Increasing parent involvement in education-related committees at the local and state levels;

(f) Designing and implementing parent education programs and centers and parent leadership training programs;

(g) Creating and implementing family-to-school liaison positions;

(h) Advising educator preparation programs about best practices for including research-based family engagement strategies in coursework and program requirements; and

(i) Providing feedback to state agencies and other organizations about publicly available tools and resources that assist families with navigating the education system.

(2) The council shall recommend to the state board and to the Colorado commission on higher education plans for statewide parent involvement initiatives, which may include, but need not be limited to:

(a) Requiring each school district and the state charter school institute, as part of the accreditation process, to increase the level of parent involvement in education; and

(b) Initiatives to increase admissions to institutions of higher education and the degree-completion rate and to reduce the need for remediation.

(3) (a) The council shall provide training and other resources designed to help the school district accountability committees and school accountability committees increase the level of parent engagement with the public schools and with school districts, including increasing the number of parents serving on school district accountability committees and school accountability committees.

(b) The council shall work with the department to provide regional training programs for school district accountability committees and school accountability committees. At a minimum, the training programs must address parent leadership and increasing parent engagement with school district accountability committees and school accountability committees, including best practices for parent engagement with school district accountability committees and school accountability committees.

(c) The council shall work with the department to provide regional training programs for school districts and charter schools concerning best practices and skills for district and school personnel in working with parents.

(4) The council, in consultation with the department of education and the department of higher education, shall identify key indicators of successful parent engagement in education and use the indicators to develop recommendations for methods by which the department of education and the department of higher education may measure and monitor the level of parent engagement with elementary and secondary public schools and with institutions of higher education in Colorado.

(5) On or before December 31, 2013, and on or before December 31 each year thereafter, the council shall report to the state board, the Colorado commission on higher education, and the education committees of the senate and the house of representatives, or any successor committees, the council's progress in promoting parent engagement in the state and in fulfilling the duties specified in this section.
C.R.S. § 22-20-116 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 20 / Part 1 / Section 22-20-116
22-20-116. Minimum standards for educational interpreters for the deaf in the public school
Status: repealed

22-20-116. Minimum standards for educational interpreters for the deaf in the public schools - committee to recommend standards - rules. (1) The general assembly hereby finds that interpreting services in administrative units, state-operated programs, and approved facility schools for students who are deaf or hard of hearing need to be improved and that the absence of state standards for evaluating educational interpreters allows for inconsistencies in the delivery of educational information to students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The general assembly recognizes that educational interpreters in such educational settings must not only interpret the spoken word but must also convey concepts and facilitate the student's understanding of the educational material. The general assembly also finds that standards should be based on performance and should be developed with input from the deaf community and from persons involved in instructing deaf students. Therefore, the general assembly enacts this section for the purpose of developing appropriate standards for persons employed as educational interpreters in administrative units, state-operated programs, and approved facility schools.

(2) For purposes of this section, "educational interpreter" means a person who uses sign language in an administrative unit, a state-operated program, or an approved facility school for purposes of facilitating communication between users and nonusers of sign language and who is fluent in the languages used by both deaf and nondeaf persons.

(3) to (5) Repealed.

(6) After review and study of the recommendations of the interpreter standards committee, the state board, on or before July 1, 1998, shall promulgate rules setting minimum standards for educational interpreters for the deaf employed by or in an administrative unit, a state-operated program, or an approved facility school. The state board may revise and amend such minimum standards as it deems necessary. The state board shall promulgate rules that set forth the documentation that a person seeking employment as an educational interpreter for the deaf must submit to the employing administrative unit, state-operated program, or approved facility school.

(7) On or after July 1, 2000, in addition to any other requirements that an administrative unit, a state-operated program, or an approved facility school may establish, any person employed as an educational interpreter for deaf students on a full-time or part-time basis by or in an administrative unit, a state-operated program, or an approved facility school shall meet the minimum standards for educational interpreters for the deaf as established by rules of the state board.
C.R.S. § 22-30.5-701 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 30.5 / Part 7 / Section 22-30.5-701
22-30.5-701. Short title
Status: in_force

22-30.5-701. Short title. This part 7 shall be known and may be cited as the "Charter School Emergency Powers Act".
C.R.S. § 22-1-119.7 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 1 / Section 22-1-119.7
22-1-119.7. Student possession and administration of opiate antagonists and possession of no
Status: in_force

22-1-119.7. Student possession and administration of opiate antagonists and possession of non-laboratory detection tests. (1) A school district or the state charter school institute shall not prohibit a student of the school district or institute charter school from or discipline a student of the school district or institute charter school for possessing or administering an opiate antagonist on school grounds, on a school bus, or at any school-sponsored event.

(2) A school, school district, or the state charter school institute shall not prohibit a student of the school district or institute charter school from possessing a non-laboratory synthetic opiate detection test or non-laboratory additive detection test on school grounds, on a school bus, or at any school-sponsored event.

(3) A student is not subject to civil liability or criminal prosecution if the student acts as specified in section 13-21-108.7, 13-21-108.8, or 18-1-712.
C.R.S. § 22-52-104 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 52 / Section 22-52-104
22-52-104. Application - payment
Status: repealed

22-52-104. Application - payment. (1) After July 1, 1986, and each school year thereafter, an eligible student may apply to the school board of his school district of residence to participate in the second chance program. Application and acceptance procedures shall be governed by rules and regulations promulgated by the state board of education. The school district of residence shall process an eligible student's application, assist the student in enrolling in the eligible school, counsel the students and parents of students in the second chance program concerning the availability of services the child or family may need, and monitor the performance and progress of each student in the second chance program.

(2) (a) The school district of residence of a student enrolled in the second chance program shall count the student in its pupil enrollment pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the state board of education. The school district shall also provide to the department of education such information as it may require.

(b) (I) (A) Repealed.

(B) Effective January 1, 1989, pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the state board of education, the school district of residence of the student shall transmit monthly eighty-five percent of the district of residence's per pupil revenues, as defined in section 22-54-103 (9.3) to the school district or eligible school enrolling the student or the actual educational cost of the program provided, whichever is less.

(II) Repealed.

(3) The duties of the school district of residence of the eligible student specified in subsection (1) of this section may be developed under contract with boards of cooperative services in districts with eligible participating students and eligible participating schools. School districts which are not in boards of cooperative services may contract with such boards for cooperative programming.
C.R.S. § 22-30-113 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 30 / Part 1 / Section 22-30-113
22-30-113. Duties of the attorney general
Status: in_force

22-30-113. Duties of the attorney general. The attorney general shall be the legal counsel and advisor of the state board, the commissioner, and, when requested by the commissioner, any of the committees organized pursuant to the provisions of this article for purposes related to the proper administration of this article.
C.R.S. § 22-11-601 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 11 / Part 6 / Section 22-11-601
22-11-601. Colorado school awards program - created - rules
Status: in_force

22-11-601. Colorado school awards program - created - rules. (1) There is hereby established the Colorado school awards program, referred to in this part 6 as the "program", to be administered by the department. The state board shall promulgate rules for the administration of this part 6 and the program. The rules shall include but need not be limited to procedures for transmitting the financial awards to public schools of school districts and institute charter schools that demonstrate outstanding performance.

(2) In addition to the monetary awards made and distributed pursuant to sections 22-11-602, 22-11-603, 22-11-603.5, and 22-11-605, the state board may annually apply moneys from the school awards program fund created in section 22-11-605 to provide tangible items of recognition, such as banners or trophies, to schools that are identified as eligible to receive the John Irwin schools of excellence awards, the governor's distinguished improvement awards, the centers of excellence awards, and the academic growth awards created in section 22-11-603.7.
C.R.S. § 22-37-107 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 37 / Section 22-37-107
22-37-107. Funding
Status: in_force

22-37-107. Funding. The department of education may pursue additional sources of funding for the financing of in-school or in-home suspension programs, including but not limited to grants, donations, and contributions from public or private sources and any funds available pursuant to article 20 of this title.
C.R.S. § 22-31-103 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 31 / Section 22-31-103
22-31-103. Board of education to govern conduct of school elections - contract with county
Status: in_force

22-31-103. Board of education to govern conduct of school elections - contract with county clerk and recorder. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this article 31, the board of education of each school district shall govern the conduct of all school elections in the district, shall designate an election official who shall be responsible for conducting the election, and shall render all interpretations and make all initial decisions as to controversies or other matters arising in the conduct of such elections. All elections authorized in this article 31 shall be conducted pursuant to articles 1 to 13 of title 1. Limits on contributions to candidates for the board of education of a school district are specified in section 1-45-103.7 (1.7). The disclosure of such contributions is governed in accordance with sections 1-45-108 and 1-45-109.

(2) The board of education of any school district may contract with the county clerk and recorder for the administration of any of the duties of the board, its secretary, or the designated election official relating to the conduct of any school election. The election shall be conducted by the county clerk and recorder if the county clerk and recorder is conducting a coordinated election pursuant to section 1-7-116, C.R.S.
C.R.S. § 22-54-143 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 54 / Section 22-54-143
22-54-143. Additional funding - 2020-21 budget year - definitions - repeal
Status: repealed

22-54-143. Additional funding - 2020-21 budget year - definitions - repeal. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 22-1-125 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 1 / Section 22-1-125
22-1-125. Automated external defibrillators in public schools
Status: repealed

22-1-125. Automated external defibrillators in public schools. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 22-2-127.9 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 2 / Part 1 / Section 22-2-127.9
22-2-127.9. Mental health education literacy - resource bank - technical assistance
Status: in_force

22-2-127.9. Mental health education literacy - resource bank - technical assistance. (1) The department, with assistance from the office of suicide prevention created pursuant to section 25-1.5-101 (1)(w)(I), the Colorado youth advisory council created pursuant to section 2-2-1302, and the suicide prevention commission created pursuant to section 25-1.5-111, shall create and maintain a resource bank of evidence-based, research-based, and promising program materials and curricula pertaining to mental health and comprehensive suicide prevention, as that term is defined in section 25-1.5-112. These materials and curricula may be used in elementary and secondary schools in the state. The resource bank and curricula must be youth-friendly, culturally sensitive, and available in both English and Spanish. In creating the resource bank and curricula, the department may provide internet links to resources and materials pertaining to mental health available from other entities that the department finds reliable. Additionally, the department shall solicit input from persons, including youth, within and outside of the mental health profession, including both community and school mental health professionals. Subject to available appropriations, the department shall solicit requests for information and may contract for:

(a) The organization and enhancement of the resource bank, including materials on the prevention of suicide, the after-effects of suicide attempts and suicide deaths, and postvention training, and education on mental and behavioral health;

(b) The development of mental and behavioral health and suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention curricula for schools and providing such curricula to schools; and

(c) Training for educators and school staff concerning mental and behavioral health and suicide prevention.

(2) On and after July 1, 2020, the department shall make material in the resource bank available without charge to school districts, charter schools, institute charter schools, boards of cooperative services, professional educators, parents or guardians of youth, students, and community providers. At the request of a school district, charter school, institute charter school, or board of cooperative services, the department shall provide technical assistance to the school district, charter school, institute charter school, or board of cooperative services in designing age-appropriate curricula pertaining to mental health.

(3) The materials and resources available to students must be developed and updated with input from youth.

(4) School districts, charter schools, institute charter schools, and boards of cooperative services are encouraged to report to the department on the effectiveness of the resource bank and curricula and to recommend changes to improve the resource bank or curricula. The department is encouraged to update the resource bank and curricula based on recommendations from school districts, charter schools, institute charter schools, boards of cooperative services, professional educators, parents or guardians of youth, students, and community providers.
C.R.S. § 22-81.5-106 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 81.5 / Section 22-81.5-106
22-81.5-106. Reports
Status: repealed

22-81.5-106. Reports. (1) Each school district, charter school, and facility school that receives a grant through the grant program shall, by the close of each academic year for which the grant was awarded, submit to the department a report specifying the following information:

(a) The manner in which the grant moneys were used;

(b) The progress made toward achieving the goals specified in the grant recipient's application;

(c) Any additional entities and businesses with whom the grant recipient has contracted or partnered with the goal of achieving greater integration of information technology education in the ninth-grade through twelfth-grade curriculum;

(d) The recipient school district's, charter school's, or facility school's plan for continuing the integration of information technology education into the curriculum, regardless of whether the grant is renewed;

(e) Any other information specified by rule of the state board.

(2) Repealed.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, the department need not submit a report for any academic year in which no grants are made through the grant program.
C.R.S. § 22-35.3-105 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 35.3 / Part 1 / Section 22-35.3-105
22-35.3-105. Notice to revisor - repeal of article
Status: repealed

22-35.3-105. Notice to revisor - repeal of article. (1) The commissioner of education shall notify the revisor of statutes in writing if the commissioner of education and the executive director of the department of higher education have jointly approved a local education provider's application for a p-tech school by January 1, 2017.

(2) This article is repealed, effective July 1, 2017, if the revisor of statutes does not receive a notice from the commissioner of education pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.
C.R.S. § 22-81-206 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 81 / Part 2 / Section 22-81-206
22-81-206. Science and technology education fund - creation
Status: in_force

22-81-206. Science and technology education fund - creation. There is hereby created in the state treasury the science and technology education fund, referred to in this section as the "fund", for payment of science and technology education center grants awarded pursuant to section 22-81-203. The fund shall consist of such moneys as may be appropriated thereto by the general assembly and such moneys as may be credited thereto pursuant to section 22-81-205 (2). Moneys in the fund shall be subject to annual appropriation by the general assembly for the purposes specified in this part 2. The department may expend up to two percent of the moneys annually appropriated to the fund to offset the costs incurred in implementing the grant program. All interest derived from the deposit and investment of moneys in the fund shall be credited to the fund. At the end of any fiscal year, all unexpended and unencumbered moneys in the fund shall remain therein and shall not be credited or transferred to the general fund or any other fund.
C.R.S. § 22-14-106 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 14 / Section 22-14-106
22-14-106. Local education provider practices assessment - technical assistance - rules
Status: in_force

22-14-106. Local education provider practices assessment - technical assistance - rules. (1) (a) Each high priority and priority local education provider shall conduct a practices assessment as described in subsection (2) of this section. Each high priority and priority local education provider's practices assessment shall consider community partnerships with state and local government agencies and community-based organizations and current practices and policies as they relate to different types of dropout students or students at risk of dropping out.

(b) Each high priority local education provider shall complete its initial practices assessment no later than June 30, 2010. Each priority local education provider shall complete its initial practices assessment no later than June 30, 2011. Following completion of the initial practices assessment, each high priority and priority local education provider shall review and update the practices assessment in accordance with timelines adopted by rule of the state board.

(c) Each local education provider that is not a high priority or priority local education provider is encouraged to conduct a practices assessment and to periodically review and update the practices assessment. A local education provider that chooses to conduct a practices assessment pursuant to this paragraph (c) shall comply with the provisions of subsection (4) of this section.

(d) If a high priority or priority local education provider has authorized one or more existing charter schools pursuant to article 30.5 of this title, each charter school shall conduct its own practices assessment in accordance with the deadlines specified in paragraph (b) of this subsection (1) and submit the assessment to the department pursuant to subsection (4) of this section. A practices assessment conducted by a charter school shall conform to the requirements specified in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) Each practices assessment, at a minimum, must address the high priority or priority local education provider's:

(a) Attendance and truancy reporting and enforcement policies and definitions;

(b) Risk factors and remedies applicable to students who are failing one or more courses, have experienced traumatic life events, or have lost academic interest or motivation and to students whose presence or actions are perceived to be detrimental to other students;

(c) Interaction with the judicial system in enforcing compulsory school attendance;

(d) Interaction with the juvenile justice system in:

(I) Assisting in administering juvenile diversion programs and coordinating supports for all students transitioning out of the juvenile justice system to aid in the continuation of the students' education, especially for those students involved in the juvenile justice system as a result of school-related violations of the local education provider's code of conduct or crimes committed on school property; and

(II) Coordinating with juvenile probation officers regarding school-related conditions of probation;

(e) Coordination with child welfare services, including but not limited to county departments of human or social services, facility schools, and other youth services providers;

(f) Grading policies;

(g) Policies for grade repetition and remediation;

(g.5) Practices relating to visual arts and performing arts education, including but not limited to the availability of courses in visual arts and performing arts, requirements for obtaining visual arts or performing arts course credits, the availability of extracurricular activities that involve visual arts or performing arts, and the high priority or priority local education provider's relationships with nonprofit or for-profit community arts organizations;

(h) Course completion requirements and policies; and

(i) Policies and practices relating to:

(I) The use of individual career and academic plans;

(II) Addressing ethnicity, language, and cultural barriers between students' homes and school;

(III) English-language acquisition;

(IV) Student acquisition of behavioral, social, and emotional skills;

(V) Students' health-care needs;

(VI) Alternative and flexible educational strategies;

(VII) Family involvement and family support services;

(VIII) Expanded learning opportunity programs;

(IX) Staff development in implementing evidence-based strategies;

(X) Innovations to address barriers to school engagement and success;

(XI) Outreach services to re-engage students who drop out of school; and

(XII) Review and analysis of data regarding dropout rates, graduation rates, school completion rates, truancy rates, the number of students who are habitually truant, suspension rates, and expulsion rates.

(3) The office shall provide technical assistance to high priority local education providers to assist them in completing their practices assessments. The office may provide technical assistance to priority local education providers as allowable within available appropriations. In addition, at the request of a high priority or priority local education provider and to the extent practicable within available resources, the office shall provide a template, which includes any student data that is pertinent to the high priority or priority local education provider and to which the office has access, to assist the high priority or priority local education provider in preparing its practices assessment.

(4) Upon completing its practices assessment or any updates to the assessment, each high priority and priority local education provider shall transmit the assessment to the department for publication on the internet.
C.R.S. § 22-30.5-510 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 30.5 / Part 5 / Section 22-30.5-510
22-30.5-510. Institute charter school application - process - rule-making
Status: repealed

22-30.5-510. Institute charter school application - process - rule-making. (1) (a) Except as otherwise provided in section 22-30.5-506 (2), the institute shall receive and review all applications for institute charter schools. An application for an institute charter school may be submitted by one or more individuals, by a nonprofit, governmental, or other entity or organization, or by an existing charter school authorized by a district. An entity applying for an institute charter school shall file an application with the institute by a date determined by rule of the institute board to be eligible for consideration for the following school year. An application is considered filed when the institute receives the institute charter application from the institute charter applicant either in hard copy or electronically. Prior to any change in the application deadline, the institute shall notify each known institute charter school applicant of the proposed change by certified letter. Within fifteen days after receiving an institute charter school application, the institute shall determine whether the application contains the minimum components specified in section 22-30.5-509 (1) and is therefore complete. If the application is not complete, the institute shall notify the applicant within the fifteen-day period and provide a list of the information required to complete the institute charter application. The applicant has fifteen days after the date it receives the notice to provide the required information to the institute for review. The institute is not required to take action on the institute charter application if the applicant does not provide the required information within the fifteen-day period. The institute may request additional information during the review period and provide reasonable time for the applicant to respond. The institute may, but is not required to, accept any additional information the applicant provides that the institute does not request.

(a.3) An application to convert an existing charter school authorized by a school district to an institute charter school shall include evidence that an adequate number of parents, teachers, or pupils or any combination thereof support the conversion to an institute charter school.

(a.5) The institute's approval of an application from an existing charter school shall not relieve the charter school of any preexisting contractual obligations or relationships, including obligations of the charter school to the school district that oversees the charter school; except that the charter school shall no longer be subject to the oversight and control of the school district. The transfer of oversight of a charter school from a school district to the institute shall not be deemed a dissolution or other event that empowers or obligates the school district to wind down the charter school's affairs or to dispose of the charter school's assets.

(a.7) (I) If a district charter school converts to an institute charter school, the institute shall calculate the converted school's funding as it was calculated before the conversion using the applicable formulas specified in part 1 of this article; except that this paragraph (a.7) does not apply if the converted school was authorized by a small rural school district, as described in section 22-54-108 (3)(b)(IV), before the conversion.

(II) Repealed.

(b) The institute board shall set forth by rule all necessary procedures for the application process and for application review by the institute and the institute board. The rules shall describe a rigorous review of the application that includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the following key evaluative areas involving the institute charter school:

(I) The number of at-risk students that the institute charter school anticipates serving, both as an absolute number and as a percentage of the entire student body expected to enroll at the institute charter school;

(II) Curriculum and instructional program;

(III) Nonacademic program characteristics;

(IV) Financial viability;

(V) Appropriate governance model and proposed practices;

(VI) Appropriate, consistent, clear, and measurable accountability systems;

(VII) The extent to which the instructional program fits the mission statement of the institute charter school;

(VIII) Whether the institute charter school will provide an educational option that substantially differs from the educational opportunities provided by existing schools of the school district that have capacity to accommodate additional students;

(IX) The institute charter school's plan for outreach and recruitment of students whose race, gender, and ethnicity reflect the demographics of the community that the institute charter school intends to serve; and

(X) The institute charter school's plan for identifying and reducing the academic achievement gaps among its student population.

(c) The rules described in paragraph (b) of this subsection (1) shall require the applicant to provide written notification of the application to the school district board of education and the school district accountability committee of the school district in which the proposed institute charter school is to be located. The rules shall permit the board of education and the accountability committee to submit to the institute written comments concerning the institute charter school application.

(d) When the institute determines that it has received a complete application for an institute charter school, the institute shall send notice to the local board of education and the school district accountability committee for the school district in which the proposed institute charter school is to be located. At a minimum, the notice shall include the following information:

(I) The schedule by which the institute will review the application and determine whether to authorize the institute charter school;

(II) The dates and locations of meetings at which the institute will consider the application, including at least one meeting within the school district;

(III) Instructions specifying how the local board may request information from the institute regarding:

(A) The location of the proposed institute charter school, if known; and

(B) Enrollment projections for the proposed institute charter school, including the projected number of at-risk students; and

(IV) An invitation to the local board of education to send comments to the institute regarding the school district's concerns with any portion of the application, including any comments concerning whether the proposed new institute charter school substantially differs from existing educational options within the school district that have the capacity to accommodate additional students.

(2) (a) Prior to ruling on the application for an institute charter school, one or more representatives of the institute board shall hold a public meeting in the school district in which the institute charter school would be located. At the meeting, the representatives of the institute board, at a minimum, shall take public testimony regarding whether to approve or disapprove the application for an institute charter school.

(b) The institute board shall rule by resolution on the application for an institute charter school in a public hearing, following reasonable public notice, within ninety days after receiving the application filed pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. At the public hearing, prior to adopting the resolution, the institute board shall make available to persons in attendance at the hearing a written summary of the testimony received at the meeting held pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) and, on the record, shall consider the testimony and its application to the institute board's decision.

(c) All negotiations between the institute charter school and the institute on the charter contract shall be concluded, and all terms of the charter contract agreed upon, no later than forty-five days after the institute board approves the application for an institute charter school.

(3) The institute charter school applicant and the institute may jointly waive the deadlines set forth in this section.

(4) If the institute denies an institute charter school application, it shall state its reasons for the denial. Within thirty days after the denial, the entity that submitted the institute charter school application may submit to the state board a notice of appeal, stating the grounds for the appeal.

(5) Within sixty days after receipt of a notice of appeal by the state board and after reasonable public notice, the state board shall review the decision of the institute and determine whether the decision was arbitrary and capricious. The state board shall remand the matter to the institute with instructions to approve or deny the institute charter school application. The decision of the state board shall be final and not subject to appeal.
C.R.S. § 22-44-118 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 44 / Part 1 / Section 22-44-118
22-44-118. Full-day kindergarten reserve - tracking of expenditures - preschool programs -
Status: repealed

22-44-118. Full-day kindergarten reserve - tracking of expenditures - preschool programs - rules. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 22-2-503 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 2 / Part 5 / Section 22-2-503
22-2-503. Teaching and learning conditions survey
Status: in_force

22-2-503. Teaching and learning conditions survey. (1) Subject to available appropriations, the department shall administer a biennial teaching and learning conditions survey, referred to in this section as the "survey", to all preschool teachers, elementary teachers, secondary teachers, and education support professionals in public schools of the state. The survey must be designed to assess, at a minimum:

(a) Teaching and learning conditions as predictors of student achievement;

(b) The correlation, if any, between teaching and learning conditions and teacher retention;

(c) The relationship, if any, between teaching and learning conditions and school administration; and

(d) The relationship, if any, between teaching and learning conditions and measures of school climate, as experienced by students and teachers.

(2) The survey results may be used by schools, school districts, the department, state policymakers, and researchers as a resource for:

(a) School and program design;

(b) Professional development programs;

(c) School improvement plans;

(d) School district continuous improvement programs;

(e) State education reform initiatives concerning achievement gaps, teacher gaps, dropout rates, and graduation rates;

(f) Other analyses to inform school improvement efforts; and

(g) Improving ways to measure and improve school climate and teaching and learning environments.
C.R.S. § 22-33-103 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 33 / Part 1 / Section 22-33-103
22-33-103. Free education - tuition may be charged, when
Status: in_force

22-33-103. Free education - tuition may be charged, when. Any resident of this state who has attained the age of six years and is under the age of twenty-one years is entitled to attend public school in the school district of which he is a resident, during the academic year when the schools of the district are in regular session, and without the payment of tuition, subject only to the limitations of sections 22-33-105 and 22-33-106. Tuition may be charged for a pupil who is not a resident of the school district in which the pupil attends school if the school district of residence agrees to pay such tuition as provided in section 22-32-115. In no event shall the parents or guardian of such pupil be required to pay tuition on behalf of such pupil. Tuition may be charged to pupils whose parents or guardian are not residents of the state and to resident or nonresident adult pupils, as otherwise provided by law.
C.R.S. § 22-10-201 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 10 / Part 2 / Section 22-10-201
22-10-201. Definitions
Status: in_force

22-10-201. Definitions. As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Adult high school student" or "student" means an adult who:

(a) Has reached twenty-one years of age before the pupil enrollment count date, as defined in section 22-54-103 (10.5);

(b) Has reached twenty-one years of age during the semester that includes the pupil enrollment count day as defined in section 22-54-103 (10.5) but does not receive services under an individualized education program as defined in section 22-20-103 (15); or

(c) Is older than twenty-one years of age; and

(d) Is enrolled in the Colorado adult high school program as defined in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) "Colorado adult high school program" or "program" means the Colorado adult high school program created in section 22-10-202.

(3) "Colorado community-based nonprofit organization" or "nonprofit organization" means a Colorado community-based, tax-exempt charitable or social welfare organization operating under section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the federal "Internal Revenue Code of 1986", 26 U.S.C. sec. 501, as amended.

(4) "Department" means the department of education created and existing pursuant to section 24-1-115.

(5) "Education provider" means a Colorado community-based nonprofit organization that is awarded a grant by the department.

(6) "Office" means the office within the department that is responsible for adult education.

(7) "Resident" means any individual who is living, other than temporarily, within the state voluntarily and makes the state the resident's home.

(8) "State board" means the state board of education created in section 1 of article IX of the state constitution.
C.R.S. § 22-32.5-110.5 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 32.5 / Section 22-32.5-110.5
22-32.5-110.5. Dispute resolution - innovation school zones with alternative governance
Status: in_force

22-32.5-110.5. Dispute resolution - innovation school zones with alternative governance. (1) The local school board and an innovation school zone with alternative governance as a whole, or a school within the innovation school zone with alternative governance, shall use a dispute resolution process to resolve disagreements regarding the administration of the innovation plan. In the event of a dispute, the parties of the dispute shall make every effort to reach a resolution, and the innovation school zone shall continue to operate under the innovation plan until the conclusion of the dispute resolution process, regardless of the revision timeline described in section 22-32.5-110. The dispute resolution process may be used if the local school board, the innovation school zone as a whole, or a school within the innovation school zone violates the terms of the approved innovation school plan or innovation school zone plan or a mutually agreed upon written agreement, including, but not limited to, a written financial agreement.

(2) A neutral third party must conduct the dispute resolution. The department shall create a list of neutral third parties who have experience with and an understanding of this article 32.5. The department shall create and maintain the list of neutral third parties and make the list available on the department's website.

(3) (a) The local school board and innovation school zone with alternative governance as a whole, or a school within the innovation school zone, shall submit concerns regarding disagreements in writing to the superintendent, or the superintendent's designee, and shall make a good faith effort to reach a resolution concerning a disagreement as described in subsection (1) of this section.

(b) If an agreement is not reached, the local school board or the innovation school zone with alternative governance as a whole, or a school within the innovation school zone, may initiate a dispute resolution process as follows:

(I) The local school board, the innovation school zone as a whole, or a school within the innovation school zone may initiate dispute resolution through a written notice to the other party and the state board of an intent to invoke the dispute resolution process pursuant to this section. Written notice must include, at a minimum, a brief description of the matter in dispute and the scope of the disagreement between the parties.

(II) Within fifteen business days after receipt of the written notice described in subsection (3)(b)(I) of this section, the local school board and the innovation school zone must agree to use a dispute resolution process to resolve the dispute; except that any form of dispute resolution that the parties choose must result in written findings by a neutral third party within sixty calendar days after receipt of written notice pursuant to subsection (3)(b)(I) of this section;

(III) The local school board and innovation school zone shall agree to a neutral third party to conduct the dispute resolution. The local school board and innovation school zone shall select a neutral third party from the list of neutral third parties created by the department pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.

(IV) The neutral third party shall accept evidence and arguments from the parties as part of the deliberative process and shall issue written findings and a determination within sixty calendar days after receipt of the written notice pursuant to subsection (3)(b)(I) of this section;

(V) To arrive at the written findings and determination, the neutral third party shall consider, at a minimum:

(A) The academic interests of the students;

(B) The fulfillment of the purposes of this article 32.5; and

(C) Stipulations between the parties;

(VI) The neutral third party shall apportion between the local school board and the organization that manages the innovation school zone all costs reasonably related to the mutually agreed upon dispute resolution process. The neutral third party shall not apportion any cost to a school within the innovation school zone.

(VII) Upon completion of the dispute resolution process, the written findings and determination of the neutral third party must be submitted to the parties as a recommendation.

(4) Resolution of a dispute arising pursuant to subsection (1) of this section must not include changes to the terms of the innovation plan that are not directly impacted by the issue that is the subject of the dispute.
C.R.S. § 22-16-102 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 16 / Section 22-16-102
22-16-102. Legislative declaration
Status: in_force

22-16-102. Legislative declaration. The general assembly recognizes that, with the increasing use of technology in education, it is imperative that information that identifies individual students and their families is vigilantly protected from misappropriation and misuse that could harm students or their families. The general assembly also finds, however, that there are many positive ways in which a student's personally identifiable information may be used to improve the quality of the education the student receives and to positively impact the educational and career outcomes that the student achieves. The general assembly finds, therefore, that student data can be both protected and positively applied by increasing the level of transparency regarding, and specifying and enforcing limitations on, the collection, use, storage, and destruction of student data.
C.R.S. § 22-24-106 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 24 / Section 22-24-106
22-24-106. Department of education - powers - duties - state board of education - rules
Status: in_force

22-24-106. Department of education - powers - duties - state board of education - rules. (1) The department shall:

(a) Identify the English language proficiency assessments that local education providers must use to identify students who are eligible for inclusion in English language proficiency programs, which may include the assessments in use prior to May 21, 2014;

(b) Annually review the statewide levels of proficiency on the statewide assessments administered pursuant to section 22-7-1006 for those English language learners who are required to take the statewide assessment;

(c) Establish, by guidelines, any accommodations that a local education provider must allow and the circumstances in which a local education provider must allow the accommodations for English language learners who are taking assessments pursuant to section 22-7-1006.3;

(d) Provide guidance documents and technical assistance to assist local education providers in identifying and assessing English language learners and in developing, implementing, and evaluating English language proficiency programs;

(e) Identify, based on the certifications received from local education providers, the students who are counted as English language learners for purposes of calculating each local education provider's allocation of moneys pursuant to section 22-24-104 (3);

(f) Annually allocate the moneys appropriated for implementation of this article, including allocating the moneys specified in section 22-24-104 (3) on a per-pupil basis, using the number of English language learners identified pursuant to paragraph (e) of this subsection (1) and participating in the English language proficiency program;

(g) For each local education provider, monitor and report through the data portal operated pursuant to section 22-11-502, the number of English language learners who exit the English language proficiency program, the length of time English language learners remain in the English language proficiency program, and the number of English language learners who reenter the English language proficiency program;

(h) Disaggregate the data received through the state assessment program pursuant to section 22-7-1006.3 and report the English language proficiency and academic achievement of English language learners, while they are receiving services through the English language proficiency program and after they exit the English language proficiency program through high school graduation, as provided in part 5 of article 11 of this title; and

(i) Administer the English language proficiency act excellence award program created in section 22-24-107 and the professional development and student support program created in section 22-24-108.

(2) In implementing the provisions of this article, the department shall not require local education providers to submit reports or otherwise provide data that is required by or that the department collects under other state or federal data-collection or reporting statutory or regulatory requirements.

(3) The state board rules that are in effect to implement this article prior to May 21, 2014, may continue in effect after that date to the extent the state board finds that the rules continue to be appropriate, and the state board shall promulgate pursuant to the "State Administrative Procedure Act", article 4 of title 24, C.R.S., such additional rules as may be necessary to implement this article. The state board by rule may identify measures that are specific to the English language proficiency assessment, which measures the department must use to determine a local education provider's level of achievement in meeting the English language development and academic achievement goals for English language learners.
C.R.S. § 22-7-1206 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 7 / Part 12 / Section 22-7-1206
22-7-1206. Reading to ensure academic development (READ) plan - contents - implementation
Status: in_force

22-7-1206. Reading to ensure academic development (READ) plan - contents - implementation. (1) (a) A teacher, and other skilled school professionals that the local education provider may choose to select, shall create a READ plan for each student who has a significant reading deficiency. The teacher and any other personnel shall create the plan in collaboration with the student's parent, if possible, and as soon as possible after the student's significant reading deficiency is identified. The student, the student's teacher, and the student's parent shall continue implementing the student's READ plan until the student demonstrates reading competency. The student's teacher shall review the student's READ plan at least annually and update or revise the READ plan as appropriate to facilitate the student's progress in demonstrating reading competency.

(b) Each local education provider shall ensure that a student's current READ plan, any earlier versions of the READ plan, and any supporting documentation for the plan and the body of evidence that demonstrates a student's progress in implementing the plan are included in the student's permanent academic record and are transferred if the student subsequently enrolls in another school.

(2) (a) If a student's reading skills are below grade-level expectations, as adopted by the state board, but the student does not have a significant reading deficiency, the local education provider shall ensure that the student receives appropriate interventions through the multi-tiered systems of supports or a comparable intervention system implemented by the local education provider. At a minimum, the local education provider shall ensure that the student receives educational services in a daily literacy block for the length of time identified as effective in research relating to best practices in teaching reading.

(b) If a student has a significant reading deficiency, the student's READ plan must include the intervention instruction that the local education provider provides through the multi-tiered systems of supports or a comparable intervention system implemented by the local education provider.

(3) Notwithstanding any provision of this part 12 to the contrary, if a student is identified as having a disability that impacts the student's progress in developing reading skills, the local education provider shall, as appropriate, integrate into the student's individualized education program created pursuant to section 22-20-108 intervention instruction and strategies to address the student's reading issues in lieu of a READ plan.

(4) If a student enrolled in kindergarten is identified as having a significant reading deficiency, the local education provider shall create the student's READ plan as a component of the student's individualized readiness plan created pursuant to section 22-7-1014. The local education provider may include components of the student's individualized readiness plan that apply to teaching literacy as part of the student's READ plan after the student completes kindergarten, so long as the local education provider administers an approved reading assessment to the student in grades one through three as required in section 22-7-1205 (1) and the student's READ plan meets the requirements specified in subsection (5) of this section.

(5) Each READ plan must include, at a minimum:

(a) The student's specific, diagnosed reading skill deficiencies that need to be remediated in order for the student to attain reading competency;

(b) The goals and benchmarks for the student's growth in attaining reading competency;

(c) The type of additional instructional services and interventions the student will receive in reading. At a minimum, the local education provider shall ensure that the student receives educational services in a daily literacy block for the length of time identified as effective in research relating to best practices in teaching reading.

(d) The scientifically based or evidence-based reading instructional programming the teacher will use to provide to the student daily reading approaches, strategies, interventions, and instruction, which programs at a minimum shall address the areas of phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, reading fluency, including oral skills, and reading comprehension. The local education provider may choose to select the programs from among those included on the advisory list prepared by the department pursuant to section 22-7-1209;

(e) The manner in which the local education provider will monitor and evaluate the student's progress;

(f) The strategies the student's parent is encouraged to use in assisting the student to achieve reading competency that are designed to supplement the programming described in paragraph (d) of this subsection (5); and

(g) Any additional services the teacher deems available and appropriate to accelerate the student's reading skill development.

(6) Each local education provider shall ensure that a teacher continues to revise and implement a student's READ plan until the student attains reading competency, regardless of the student's grade level and regardless of whether the student was enrolled with the local education provider when the READ plan was originally created or the student transferred enrollment to the local education provider after the READ plan was created.

(7) (a) If a student is identified as having a significant reading deficiency for a second or subsequent consecutive school year, the local education provider shall ensure that, in the second or subsequent consecutive school year:

(I) The student's teacher revises the student's READ plan to include additional, more rigorous strategies and intervention instruction to assist the student in attaining reading competency, including increased daily time in school for reading instruction;

(II) The principal of the school in which the student is enrolled ensures that the student receives reading instruction in conjunction with and supported through the other subjects in which the student receives instruction during the school day; and

(III) If practicable, the student receives reading instruction from a teacher who is identified as effective or highly effective in his or her most recent performance evaluation and has expertise in teaching reading.

(b) In addition, with the approval of the student's parent, the local education provider may provide to the student mental health support from the school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor.
C.R.S. § 22-3-104 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 3 / Section 22-3-104
22-3-104. Implementation
Status: in_force

22-3-104. Implementation. The commissioner of education shall prepare and circulate to each public and private educational institution in this state instructions and recommendations for implementing the eye safety provisions of this article.
C.R.S. § 22-30-102 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 30 / Part 1 / Section 22-30-102
22-30-102. Legislative declaration
Status: in_force

22-30-102. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly hereby declares that this article is enacted for the general improvement of the public schools in the state of Colorado; for the equalization of the benefits of education throughout the state; for the organization of public school districts in the state and the alteration of the boundaries of established school districts, in order to provide for the maintenance of a thorough and uniform system of free public schools throughout the state; and for a more responsible expenditure of public funds for the support of the public school system of the state. In order to accomplish these ends, this article shall be liberally construed.

(2) The general assembly further finds and declares that the provisions of this article shall apply in all of the following situations:

(a) The creation of one or more additional school districts within the existing boundaries of a school district;

(b) The consolidation of two or more school districts or parts of school districts into a new single school district;

(c) The dissolution and annexation of a school district when such school district fails to operate a school within the school district or when the state board declares the school district is no longer accredited;

(d) The detachment and annexation to revise, alter, or modify the boundaries of school districts for the purpose of more effective or economical operation or in order to provide better educational opportunities for the school age children resident in certain territory.

(2.5) The general assembly further finds and declares that the provisions of this article shall not apply to any detachment and annexation wherein county boundaries are modified.

(3) The general assembly further finds and declares that, except as provided in section 22-30-128, no reorganization of a school district shall occur without the appointment of a school organization planning committee to study the school organization and develop a plan for reorganization of the school district.
C.R.S. § 22-20-202 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 20 / Part 2 / Section 22-20-202
22-20-202. Definitions
Status: in_force

22-20-202. Definitions. As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Administrative unit" means a school district, a board of cooperative services, a charter school network, a charter school collaborative, or the state charter school institute that is providing educational services to exceptional children and that is responsible for the local administration of this article 20.

(2) "Advanced learning plan" means a written record of a gifted student's strengths and academic and affective learning goals and the resulting programming utilized with each gifted child and considered in educational planning and decision-making.

(3) "Annual plan" means an administrative unit's comprehensive gifted education plan and annual proposed budget form that the administrative unit submits to the department pursuant to state board rules.

(4) "Aptitude" means an exceptional ability to reason and learn. Screening procedures for gifted children may consider aptitude in the context of a defined top range of performance or test scores for purposes of recognizing gifted potential or for identifying a talent pool for developing giftedness in one or more domains, as defined by rule of the state board.

(5) "Assessment" means methods, tools, and data collected as a body of evidence for use in the following gifted education processes:

(a) Identification and programming; and

(b) Monitoring the gifted child's performance and outcomes.

(6) "Board of cooperative services" means a regional educational services unit created pursuant to article 5 of this title and designed to provide supporting, instructional, administrative, facility, community, or any other services contracted by participating members.

(7) "Competence" means documented performance, achievement, or test scores on standardized or locally normed test results. Screening procedures may consider competence in the context of a defined range of student performance, as described by rule of the state board, for purposes of recognizing gifted potential or identifying a talent pool for developing giftedness.

(8) "Department" means the department of education created and existing pursuant to section 24-1-115, C.R.S.

(9) "Evaluation" means evaluation procedures, methods, and tools used to initially identify a gifted child, assess and monitor the child's progress, and evaluate the child and the gifted program. Evaluation includes, but needs not be limited to:

(a) Identifying the child's unique strengths, interests, and needs;

(b) Monitoring the child's academic achievement and growth;

(c) Identifying the priorities and concerns of the child's family and resources to which the family and the child's school have access; and

(d) Determining program strengths and areas for program improvement.

(10) "Exceptional child" means:

(a) A child defined in section 22-20-103 (5) as a child with a disability. An administrative unit shall serve every child with a disability from three to twenty-one years of age and may serve children with disabilities from birth through two years of age.

(b) A child defined in subsection (11) of this section as a gifted child. Pursuant to section 22-20-204 (1), an administrative unit shall adopt and submit to the department a program plan to identify and serve gifted children who are at least five years of age.

(11) "Gifted child" means a person from four to twenty-one years of age whose aptitude or competence in abilities and talents and potential for accomplishments in one or more domains, as defined by state board rule, are so outstanding that he or she requires special provisions to meet his or her educational needs.

(12) "Gifted education services" or "gifted education programs" means the services or programs provided to gifted children pursuant to this part 2. "Gifted education services" and "gifted education programs" include, but need not be limited to, strategies, programming options, and interventions reflecting evidence-based practices, such as acceleration, concurrent enrollment, differentiated instruction, and affective guidance.

(13) "Highly advanced gifted child" means a gifted child that an administrative unit, using criteria and a process established by rules that the state board promulgates pursuant to section 22-20-204.5 (4), has identified as a highly advanced gifted child.

(14) "Individual career and academic plan" means the plan created for each student pursuant to sections 22-30.5-525 and 22-32-109 (1)(oo).

(15) "Program elements" means components of a program plan, which include, but need not be limited to, definition, communication, identification, programming, personnel, accountability, reporting, record keeping, and resolution of disagreements.

(16) "Program plan" means a comprehensive and complete narrative of program elements described in state board rules. A program plan must include, but need not be limited to:

(a) The procedures the administrative unit will use to identify gifted students;

(b) The programming and documentation options that the administrative unit will implement in operating the gifted program; and

(c) Actions and tools for ensuring accountability for the academic achievement of gifted children and for evaluating the gifted program, which actions and tools are aligned with state accountability and program evaluations.

(17) "Qualified person" or "qualified personnel" means an educator that holds or is working toward attaining a gifted education license endorsement, a director of gifted education license endorsement, or a master's degree or higher in gifted education.

(18) "School district" means a school district organized and existing pursuant to law, but shall not include a local college district.

(19) "State board" means the state board of education created and existing pursuant to section 1 of article IX of the state constitution.
C.R.S. § 22-30.5-110.7 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 30.5 / Part 1 / Section 22-30.5-110.7
22-30.5-110.7. Fingerprint-based criminal history record checks - charter school employees - pr
Status: in_force

22-30.5-110.7. Fingerprint-based criminal history record checks - charter school employees - procedures - exceptions - definitions. (1) A person applying for employment with a charter school to whom an offer of employment is extended shall submit to the charter school a complete set of his or her fingerprints taken by a qualified law enforcement agency, an authorized employee of the charter school and notarized, or any third party approved by the Colorado bureau of investigation. At the request of a charter school, a law enforcement agency that has fingerprinting equipment that meets the federal bureau of investigation image quality standards shall take the fingerprints of an applicant pursuant to this section if an approved third-party vendor is not operating within twenty miles of the charter school within the law enforcement agency's jurisdiction. A school employee may use any fingerprinting equipment that meets the federal bureau of investigation image quality standards. If an approved third party takes the person's fingerprints, the fingerprints may be electronically captured using Colorado bureau of investigation-approved livescan equipment. Third-party vendors shall not keep the applicant information for more than thirty days unless requested to do so by the applicant.

(2) On a form provided by the charter school, an applicant to whom an offer of employment is extended shall certify, under penalty of perjury, either:

(a) That he or she has never been convicted of committing any felony or misdemeanor, but not including any misdemeanor traffic offense or traffic infraction; or

(b) That he or she has been convicted of committing a felony or misdemeanor, but not including any misdemeanor traffic offense or traffic infraction. The certification shall specify the felony or misdemeanor for which the applicant was convicted, the date of the conviction, and the court entering the judgment of conviction.

(3) In addition to any other requirements established by law, the submittal of fingerprints pursuant to subsection (1) of this section and of the form pursuant to subsection (2) of this section shall be a prerequisite to the employment of any person in a charter school. A charter school shall not employ a person who has not complied with the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section.

(4) (a) A charter school to which fingerprints are submitted pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall forward the fingerprints to the Colorado bureau of investigation for the purpose of conducting a state and national fingerprint-based criminal history record check utilizing the records of the Colorado bureau of investigation and the federal bureau of investigation.

(b) When the results of a fingerprint-based criminal history record check of an employee performed pursuant to this subsection (4) reveal a record of arrest without a disposition, the charter school shall require that employee to submit to a name-based judicial record check, as defined in section 22-2-119.3 (6)(d).

(5) (a) A charter school may employ a person in the charter school prior to receiving the results of the person's fingerprint-based criminal history record check or name-based judicial record check; except that:

(I) The charter school may terminate the employment of the person if the results are inconsistent with the information provided by the person in the form submitted pursuant to subsection (2) of this section; and

(II) The charter school shall terminate the person's employment if the results disclose a conviction for an offense described in section 22-32-109.8 (6.5).

(b) The charter school shall notify the proper district attorney of inconsistent results as described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (5) for purposes of action or possible prosecution.

(6) (a) When a charter school finds good cause to believe that a person employed by the charter school has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, other than a misdemeanor traffic offense or traffic infraction, subsequent to such employment, the charter school shall require the person to submit to the charter school a complete set of his or her fingerprints taken by a qualified law enforcement agency, an authorized employee of the charter school, or any third party approved by the Colorado bureau of investigation. At the request of the charter school, a law enforcement agency that has fingerprinting equipment that meets the federal bureau of investigation image quality standards shall take the fingerprints of a person pursuant to this section if an approved third-party vendor is not operating within twenty miles of the charter school within the law enforcement agency's jurisdiction. A school employee may use any fingerprinting equipment that meets the federal bureau of investigation image quality standards. If an approved third party takes the person's fingerprints, the fingerprints may be electronically captured using Colorado bureau of investigation-approved livescan equipment. Third-party vendors shall not keep the applicant information for more than thirty days unless requested to do so by the applicant. The employee shall submit his or her fingerprints within twenty days after receipt of written notification from the charter school. The charter school shall forward the employee's fingerprints to the Colorado bureau of investigation for the purpose of conducting a state and national fingerprint-based criminal history record check utilizing the records of the Colorado bureau of investigation and the federal bureau of investigation.

(b) When the results of a fingerprint-based criminal history record check of an employee performed pursuant to subsection (6)(a) of this section reveal a record of arrest without a disposition, the charter school shall require that employee to submit to a name-based judicial record check, as defined in section 22-2-119.3 (6)(d).

(6.5) An employee or an applicant for employment with a charter school is disqualified from employment if the results of a fingerprint-based criminal history record check or name-based judicial record check completed on or after August 10, 2011, disclose a conviction for an offense described in section 22-32-109.8 (6.5). Nothing in this section or in section 22-32-109.8 creates for a person a property right in or entitlement to employment or continued employment with a charter school or impairs a charter school's right to terminate employment for a nondiscriminatory reason.

(7) For purposes of this section, a person is deemed to have been convicted of committing a felony or misdemeanor if the person has been convicted under the laws of any other state, the United States, or any territory subject to the jurisdiction of the United States of an unlawful act that, if committed within this state, would be a felony or misdemeanor.

(8) For purposes of this section:

(a) "Convicted" means a conviction by a jury or by a court and shall also include the forfeiture of any bail, bond, or other security deposited to secure appearance by a person charged with a felony or misdemeanor, the payment of a fine, a plea of guilty, a plea of nolo contendere, and the imposition of a deferred or suspended sentence by the court.

(b) "Position of employment" means any job or position in which a person may be engaged in the service of a charter school for salary or hourly wages, whether full time or part time and whether temporary or permanent.

(9) (a) The employing charter school shall be responsible for costs arising from a fingerprint-based criminal history record check performed by the Colorado bureau of investigation and the federal bureau of investigation pursuant to the provisions of this section. The charter school may collect the costs from the employee or the prospective employee.

(b) The employing charter school shall be responsible for costs arising from a name-based judicial record check performed pursuant to this section. The charter school may collect the costs from the employee or the prospective employee.

(10) Subsections (1) to (4) of this section do not apply to a person who has submitted to a fingerprint-based criminal history record check pursuant to section 22-2-119.3.
C.R.S. § 22-5-118 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 5 / Section 22-5-118
22-5-118. Implementation and financing of regional education and support services - plan -
Status: repealed

22-5-118. Implementation and financing of regional education and support services - plan - annual report. (1) The general assembly recognizes that the increasing number of students, the desire to reduce school districts' reliance on property taxes, the need to consolidate services rather than schools, and the limitations on state revenues require the boards of cooperative services to develop the highest possible efficiencies and most economic methods for school districts to deliver education and support services. The general assembly further recognizes that it is essential to assist school districts in providing educational services with the maximum economies of scale without violating the principle of local control. The general assembly therefore declares that using boards of cooperative services to assist in delivering education and support services furthers a valid public purpose and promotes a commitment to achieving efficiencies and economies in providing educational services.

(2) Beginning fiscal year 1996-97 and for fiscal years thereafter, in addition to any state moneys received pursuant to section 22-5-115, a board of cooperative services may receive state moneys by submitting to the department of education a plan for the provision of education and support services programs, as specified in this section. Any amount appropriated to fund any education or support services program pursuant to this section shall be distributed by the department of education to each board of cooperative services that submits a plan. The amount appropriated shall be divided equally based on the total number of students enrolled in the member school districts of the participating boards and distributed based on the number of students participating in the funded education or support services program from each member school district of each participating board.

(3) (a) To receive funds under this section, a board of cooperative services, in cooperation with its participating school districts, the department of education, the Colorado commission on higher education, the state board for community colleges and occupational education, and postsecondary institutions, shall prepare and submit a plan to increase efficiencies and economies in providing education and support services to the board's participating school districts.

(b) Each plan shall include but is not limited to measures concerning:

(I) The enhancement of student achievement and instruction through cooperative research and development, the continuous upgrading of standards and assessment techniques, and the establishment of a regional curriculum center;

(II) Staff development and training programs;

(III) The development of improved communications through such methods as communications technology, distance learning, and media assistance;

(IV) The use of federal and state categorical funds and the distribution and delivery of federal block grant moneys;

(V) Data processing;

(VI) Agreements to act as a regional administrative unit for transportation, cooperative purchasing, and other noninstructional support services, as may be appropriate;

(VI.5) Agreements pertaining to the board's operations, if any, as a school food authority, pursuant to section 22-5-120; and

(VII) Cooperative programs for students who are at risk of suspension or expulsion.

(4) A board of cooperative services may contract with a school district that is not a member of the board of cooperative services to provide to the school district any of the services specified in the plan developed pursuant to this section.

(5) The general assembly may appropriate moneys to the department of education for distribution to boards of cooperative services as provided in this section. Any moneys appropriated shall be in addition to any moneys appropriated pursuant to section 22-5-115.

(6) (a) By July 1 of each year, each board of cooperative services that receives moneys pursuant to this section shall submit a report to the department of education concerning the programs and services funded by moneys received pursuant to this section.

(b) Repealed.

(7) The state board may adopt rules for the implementation of this section.
C.R.S. § 22-82.7-102 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 82.7 / Section 22-82.7-102
22-82.7-102. Definitions
Status: in_force

22-82.7-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Department" means the department of education created and existing pursuant to section 24-1-115, C.R.S.

(1.5) "Facility school" means an approved facility school as defined in section 22-2-402 (1).

(2) "Fund" means the start smart nutrition program fund created in section 22-82.7-105.

(3) "Program" means the start smart nutrition program created in section 22-82.7-103.

(4) "School breakfast program" means the federal school breakfast program created in 42 U.S.C. sec. 1773.

(5) "School food authority" means:

(a) A school district or the state charter school institute;

(a.3) A charter school collaborative formed pursuant to section 22-30.5-603;

(a.5) A board of cooperative services created pursuant to article 5 of this title that elects to operate as a school food authority pursuant to section 22-5-120; or

(b) A district charter school or an institute charter school that:

(I) The commissioner of education or his or her designee provisionally authorizes as a school food authority pursuant to section 22-32-120 (6); or

(II) The department of education authorizes as a school food authority pursuant to section 22-32-120 (5).
C.R.S. § 22-54-104.3 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 54 / Section 22-54-104.3
22-54-104.3. Total program for budget years - special provisions
Status: repealed

22-54-104.3. Total program for budget years - special provisions.

(1) to (2.6) Repealed.

(2.7) (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of this article 54, a district's total program for the applicable budget year must not exceed the district's total program for the prior budget year multiplied by one hundred percent plus the district's maximum annual percentage change in the applicable fiscal year spending.

(b) For purposes of this subsection (2.7), "maximum annual percentage change in the applicable fiscal year spending" means the percentage change in fiscal year spending allowed by section 20 of article X of the state constitution based upon the definition of inflation found in said section 20 and based upon the definition of local growth as the percentage change between the district's funded pupil count during the immediately preceding October and the district's current year October funded pupil count.

(c) Repealed.

(d) (I) If a district's total program is calculated pursuant to subsection (2.7)(a) of this section and the district is capable of receiving an increase in its total program within the limitations on its fiscal year spending for the applicable budget year under section 20 of article X of the state constitution, the district may certify to the department that it may receive an additional increase in its total program for the applicable budget year in an amount equal to the lesser of:

(A) The difference between the district's total program for the applicable budget year calculated pursuant to subsection (2.7)(a) of this section and the district's total program for the applicable budget year determined pursuant to this article 54; or

(B) The difference between the district's total program for the applicable budget year calculated pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (2.7) and the district's allowable fiscal year spending for the applicable budget year under section 20 of article X of the state constitution.

(II) Each district eligible for an increase pursuant to this paragraph (d) shall certify to the department the exact dollar amount of increase that the district can accept. Such certification shall be submitted no later than December 1 of the applicable budget year and must be reviewed and approved by an auditor for the district.

(3) Repealed.

(4) (Deleted by amendment, L. 95, p. 613, § 15, effective May 22, 1995.)

(5) and (6) Repealed.
C.R.S. § 22-30.5-111 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 30.5 / Part 1 / Section 22-30.5-111
22-30.5-111. Charter schools - employee options
Status: in_force

22-30.5-111. Charter schools - employee options. (1) During the first year that a teacher employed by a school district is employed by a charter school, such teacher shall be considered to be on a one-year leave of absence from the school district. Such leave of absence shall commence on the first day of services for the charter school. Upon the request of the teacher, the one-year leave of absence shall be renewed for up to two additional one-year periods upon the mutual agreement of the teacher and the school district. At the end of three years, the relationship between the teacher and the school district shall be determined by the school district and such district shall provide notice to the teacher of the relationship.

(2) The local board of education shall determine by policy or by negotiated agreement, if one exists, the employment status of school district employees employed by the charter school who seek to return to employment with public schools in the school district.

(3) Employees of a charter school shall be members of the public employees' retirement association. The charter school and the teacher shall contribute the appropriate respective amounts as required by the funds of the association.
C.R.S. § 22-5-106.5 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 5 / Section 22-5-106.5
22-5-106.5. Short-term loans
Status: in_force

22-5-106.5. Short-term loans. A board of cooperative services may, upon approval of its members, negotiate or contract with any person, corporation, association, or company for a loan not to exceed the difference between the anticipated revenues for the current fiscal year for the budget of the board of cooperative services and the amount credited to date to said budget in order to pay current obligations. Such loan shall be liquidated within six months thereafter from moneys subsequently credited to said budget. The total principal, interest, and fees to be paid on such loan shall not exceed the total amount of the authorized budget for the same length of time.
C.R.S. § 22-45-103.5 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 45 / Section 22-45-103.5
22-45-103.5. Legislative declaration - construction of statute - no impairment of contract
Status: reserved

22-45-103.5. Legislative declaration - construction of statute - no impairment of contract. (1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that a small number of school districts have entered into financing arrangements which contemplate that moneys in the districts' bond redemption fund may be used, or that a levy for the bond redemption fund may be made, to pay for capital projects which have not been authorized by the voters of the districts. In light of the long-standing view that the bond redemption fund is reserved for voter-approved projects, the general assembly finds that such financing arrangements are not in the interests of school district taxpayers and declares that its intent in enacting section 22-45-103 (1)(b) is to assure that such arrangements will not be entered into in the future.

(2) In recognition of the fact that some school districts have entered into financing arrangements which may not comply with the provisions of section 22-45-103 (1)(b), the general assembly declares that nothing in said section or in any other law shall be construed to impair any contract in existence on May 31, 1985, if said contract was validly entered into under the statutes in force at the time of entering said contract. Nothing in this section or in section 22-45-103 (1)(b) shall be construed to validate or to invalidate any financial arrangement entered into prior to May 31, 1985.
C.R.S. § 22-60.5-202 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 60.5 / Part 2 / Section 22-60.5-202
22-60.5-202. Professional teacher licensees - master certification
Status: in_force

22-60.5-202. Professional teacher licensees - master certification. The department of education may, in its discretion, issue a master certificate to any applicant who holds a valid professional teacher license and who meets the criteria for master certification as specified by rule and regulation of the state board of education. Master certification shall recognize those professional teacher licensees who are involved in ongoing professional development and training and who have advanced competencies or expertise or who have demonstrated outstanding achievements. Any master certificate issued pursuant to this section shall be valid for the period of time for which the applicant's professional teacher license is valid and is renewable at its expiration.
C.R.S. § 22-7-804 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 7 / Part 8 / Section 22-7-804
22-7-804. Summer school programs - requirements
Status: in_force

22-7-804. Summer school programs - requirements. (1) A school district or institute charter school that receives a grant to provide a summer school program pursuant to this part 8 is subject to the following requirements:

(a) The summer school program shall be research-based, pursuant to the federal "No Child Left Behind Act of 2001", 20 U.S.C. sec. 6301 et seq., as amended, and shall be delivered by teachers who are trained in the use of the program.

(b) The school district or institute charter school conducting the summer school program shall administer, in the subject areas in which the summer school program will focus, a test to every eligible student participating in the program. The school district or institute charter school shall administer the test before the program begins and upon completion of the program to evaluate the progress of each eligible student who participates in the program.

(c) The goal of the summer school program shall be to enable eligible students participating in the program to progress from scoring at the unsatisfactory proficiency level in reading, writing, or mathematics, as applicable, to scoring at the proficient level in reading, writing, or mathematics, as applicable.
C.R.S. § 22-95.5-202 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 95.5 / Part 2 / Section 22-95.5-202
22-95.5-202. John W
Status: in_force

22-95.5-202. John W. Buckner automatic enrollment in advanced courses grant program - creation - rules. (1) There is created in the department the John W. Buckner automatic enrollment in advanced courses grant program to increase the number of students enrolled in advanced courses for subjects in which the student has demonstrated proficiency.

(2) The department shall administer the grant program in accordance with state board rules. The department shall:

(a) Notify local education providers of the grant program, including application deadlines, twice within the three months before the first application deadline after the creation of the grant program, and once annually thereafter;

(b) Accept and review grant applications;

(c) Determine the amount, in accordance with state board rules and based on available appropriations, that will be awarded to each eligible local education provider; and

(d) Award a grant to each eligible local education provider that has submitted an application.

(3) (a) Pursuant to article 4 of title 24, the state board shall promulgate rules to implement the grant program, including rules relating to:

(I) The application process, including deadlines;

(II) The formula for determining the amount of the grant awarded to each eligible local education provider;

(III) Deadlines for the department to award grants; and

(IV) A process for verifying that local education providers that have received an award are complying with the requirements of the grant program.

(b) When promulgating rules for determining the amount of the grant award pursuant to subsection (3)(a)(II) of this section, the state board shall include the following factors:

(I) The costs associated with a local education provider implementing its plan submitted with its application;

(II) The number of grade levels in which the local education provider automatically enrolls students in advanced courses; and

(III) The number of students automatically enrolled in advanced courses by the local education provider.

(c) In promulgating rules pursuant to this part 2, the state board shall ensure that a rural school district may submit a simplified grant application.
C.R.S. § 22-30-117 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 30 / Part 1 / Section 22-30-117
22-30-117. Special school district organization election scheduled
Status: in_force

22-30-117. Special school district organization election scheduled. (1) The plan of organization shall be approved by the commissioner and the committee within one hundred twenty days following the last public hearing held pursuant to section 22-30-115 and shall be designated as the final approved plan of organization. At that time, the committee shall call for and establish the date of a special school district organization election wherein the eligible electors in each school district affected by the final approved plan of organization shall vote upon the adoption or rejection of the final approved plan of organization. The committee shall name a designated election official who shall be responsible for conducting the election. Such election shall be held on the date specified in the final approved plan of organization. The expense of the election shall be apportioned among the affected school districts based on population according to the most recent federal decennial census.

(2) If the estimated maximum increase in the mill levy for a new district or the mill levy to be imposed on annexed territory, as set forth in the plan of organization, represents an increase in the levy imposed on any property affected by the plan of organization, the question of the increase in the mill levy to be imposed upon the affected territory shall be submitted to the eligible electors residing in the affected territory prior to or at the special school district organization election as the final approved plan of organization. Approval of the increased levy by a majority of the eligible electors voting on the question who reside in the affected territory shall be a prerequisite to the implementation of the plan of organization.
C.R.S. § 22-30.5-523 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 30.5 / Part 5 / Section 22-30.5-523
22-30.5-523. Intervention strategies - students at risk of dropping out
Status: in_force

22-30.5-523. Intervention strategies - students at risk of dropping out. (1) Each institute charter school that includes any of grades six through nine shall consider adopting procedures to review the relevant data for students in those grades and identify students who are demonstrating behaviors that indicate the student is at greater risk of dropping out of school. The behaviors may include, but need not be limited to, low academic achievement, truancy, insubordinate behavior, and disengagement.

(2) The procedures may specify that, after an institute charter school identifies a student as being at increased risk of dropping out of school, the school shall provide appropriate interventions that are designed to assist the student in improving his or her academic performance and behavior and in increasing his or her overall level of engagement in school. Interventions may include, but need not be limited to, counseling, tutoring, parent engagement, and developmental education services.

(3) If an institute charter school adopts procedures pursuant to this section, the institute charter school shall notify a student's parents as soon as possible after the institute charter school identifies the student as being at greater risk of dropping out of school. The institute charter school shall provide to the student's parents a description of the interventions that the institute charter school intends to implement for the student, if any. The parent may approve or reject the described interventions. If the parent rejects the interventions, the institute charter school shall not implement the interventions. The parent may terminate the interventions at any time after the institute charter school begins providing the interventions.

(4) A parent may contact the institute charter school in which his or her student is enrolled to request interventions pursuant to this section if the parent determines that the student is at greater risk of dropping out of school.
C.R.S. § 22-60.5-208.5 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 60.5 / Part 2 / Section 22-60.5-208.5
22-60.5-208.5. Grow your own educator program - authorization - duties - rules - legislative de
Status: repealed

22-60.5-208.5. Grow your own educator program - authorization - duties - rules - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 22-82.9-207 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 82.9 / Part 2 / Section 22-82.9-207
22-82.9-207. Local school food purchasing technical assistance and education grant program -
Status: in_force

22-82.9-207. Local school food purchasing technical assistance and education grant program - created - report. (1) Subject to subsection (4) of this section, there is created in the department the local school food purchasing technical assistance and education grant program to issue a grant to a statewide nonprofit organization to develop and manage a grant program to assist with the promotion of Colorado grown, raised, or processed products to participating school food authorities and to assist participating school food authorities in preparing meals using basic ingredients, with minimal reliance on processed products.

(2) Subject to available appropriations, the nonprofit organization may award grants for:

(a) Training, technical assistance, and physical infrastructure, awarded to participating school food authorities, grower associations, or other organizations that aggregate products from producers for:

(I) Professional contracting services to support the development and sustainability of local and regional food systems;

(II) Chef training on food handling, meal preparation using basic ingredients, and procurement practices, and for kitchen equipment purchases;

(III) Good agricultural practices certification costs and good handling practices certification costs and training on selling to schools; and

(IV) Capacity building for local value-added processed products; and

(b) Education, outreach, and promotion for:

(I) Schools to engage families and communities on the benefits of farm-to-school and ways to support farm-to-school; and

(II) Grower associations and growers to communicate to schools and school communities about the multiple benefits of purchasing local products.

(3) The nonprofit organization shall annually report to the department on implementation of the technical assistance and education grant program, including:

(a) The number and types of entities receiving grants;

(b) The number, types, and purposes of the grants awarded pursuant to subsection (2)(a) of this section; and

(c) The types of education, outreach, and promotion conducted by participating school food authorities and others pursuant to subsection (2)(b) of this section.

(4) Subject to available appropriations, this section is effective beginning in the 2025-26 budget year.
C.R.S. § 22-33-204 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 33 / Part 2 / Section 22-33-204
22-33-204. Services for at-risk students - agreements with state agencies and community org
Status: in_force

22-33-204. Services for at-risk students - agreements with state agencies and community organizations. (1) Each school district, regardless of the number of students expelled by the district, may enter into agreements with appropriate local governmental agencies and, to the extent necessary, with the managing state agencies, including the department of human services and the department of public health and environment; with community-based nonprofit and faith-based organizations; with nonpublic schools; with the department of military and veterans affairs and with public and private institutions of higher education to work with the student's parent or guardian to provide services to any student in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, or the student's family, who is identified as being at risk of dropping out of school due to chronic absenteeism or disciplinary actions. Any services provided pursuant to an agreement with a nonpublic school are subject to approval by the state board of education pursuant to section 22-2-107. Services provided through such agreements may include, but are not limited to:

(a) Attendance supports, behavior interventions, and educational services required to be provided pursuant to section 22-33-203 (2) and any educational services provided to students who are identified as at risk of dropping out of school due to chronic absenteeism or disciplinary actions pursuant to section 22-33-202;

(b) Counseling services;

(c) Substance use disorder treatment programs;

(d) Family preservation services;

(e) Restorative justice practices, as defined in section 22-32-144; and

(f) Alternatives to suspension systems and supports.

(1.5) Each school district, regardless of the number of students expelled by the district, may enter into agreements with appropriate local government agencies and, to the extent necessary, with the managing state agencies as described in subsection (1) of this section to provide services and technical assistance to employees to support students who are identified as at risk of dropping out of school due to chronic absenteeism or disciplinary actions. Services and technical assistance provided through such agreements may include, but are not limited to:

(a) Attendance, discipline, and grading policies and practice review;

(b) Training in behavior interventions and classroom management; and

(c) Equity, diversity, and inclusion training, including anti-bias training.

(2) At a minimum, each agreement entered into pursuant to this section shall specify the services to be provided under the agreement, the entity that will coordinate and oversee provision of the services, and the responsibilities of each entity entering into the agreement. In addition, each agreement shall require each entity entering into the agreement to contribute the services or funds for the provision of the services specified in the agreement. The agreement shall specify the services or the amount and source of funds that each entity will provide and the mechanism for providing said services or funds.

(3) Each school district shall use a portion of its per-pupil revenues to provide services under agreements entered into pursuant to this section for students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade at risk of dropping out of school due to chronic absenteeism or disciplinary action to implement the supports and services described in subsection (1) of this section. In addition, the school district may use federal money, money received from any other state appropriation, and money received from any other public or private grant to provide said services.
C.R.S. § 22-32-109.2 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 32 / Section 22-32-109.2
22-32-109.2. Board of education - specific duties - adoption of policy
Status: in_force

22-32-109.2. Board of education - specific duties - adoption of policy. (1) In carrying out the duties specified in section 22-32-109 (1)(t), on and after July 1, 1990, each board of education is required to formally adopt a policy concerning the delivery of all educational programs and courses of instruction or study that expose pupils to any psychiatric or psychological methods or procedures involving the diagnosis, assessment, or treatment of any behavioral or mental health disorder.

(2) Prior to taking action pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, a board of education shall provide an adequate opportunity to allow review by and receive recommendations from members of the board, the personnel of the school district, the parents of pupils enrolled in the school district, and members of the public.

(3) The department of education shall prepare model policies to provide guidance to boards of education adopting policies under subsection (1) of this section.
C.R.S. § 22-2-108 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 2 / Part 1 / Section 22-2-108
22-2-108. Federal financial assistance
Status: in_force

22-2-108. Federal financial assistance. (1) The state board of education is authorized to accept, use, and administer all moneys and properties granted or made available to the state or any agency thereof for an educational purpose, except those moneys and properties granted or made available for such purpose to another such agency specifically designated.

(2) If it is necessary to execute a formal agreement with a federal agency or officer as a condition precedent to receiving federal moneys or property pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the state board is authorized to execute such an agreement, with the approval of the attorney general, provided such agreement shall not be inconsistent with law.

(3) The state treasurer is authorized to receive any moneys accepted pursuant to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section as official custodian thereof, and he shall disburse said moneys upon the order of the state board.

(4) By July 1, 2005, and by July 1 of each year thereafter, the state board shall submit a report to the education committees of the senate and house of representatives, or any successor committees, detailing the total amount of federal funds received by the state board in the prior fiscal year, accounting how the funds were used, specifying the federal law or regulation that governs the use of the federal funds, if any, and providing information regarding any flexibility the state board has in using the federal funds.
C.R.S. § 22-2-310 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 2 / Part 3 / Section 22-2-310
22-2-310. Data reporting - instructional hours - report
Status: in_force

22-2-310. Data reporting - instructional hours - report. (1) (a) By the beginning of the 2025-26 school year, the department shall standardize the reporting method that schools of a school district, district charter schools, school districts, institute charter schools, and the state charter school institute use to collect and report data concerning:

(I) Instructional hours;

(II) School calendars; and

(III) The number of hours students spend on instructional time during the school year.

(b) Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, and each school year thereafter, the department shall collect from schools of a school district, district charter schools, school districts, institute charter schools, and the state charter school institute, at a minimum, the following data:

(I) Days of instruction for elementary and secondary schools;

(II) Instructional hours for elementary and secondary schools;

(III) Estimated non-instructional hours, school closures, snow days, and time spent on lunch and passing between classes; and

(IV) The number of days and percentage of the school year students were placed on abbreviated school day schedules, as defined in section 22-20-123.

(2) The department shall annually publish the data in an accessible report on the department's website, including on the department's web page for school and district data.
C.R.S. § 22-63-104 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 63 / Part 1 / Section 22-63-104
22-63-104. Teacher employment and compensation committee - creation - issues to be studied
Status: repealed

22-63-104. Teacher employment and compensation committee - creation - issues to be studied. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 22-32-133 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 32 / Section 22-32-133
22-32-133. American sign language
Status: repealed

22-32-133. American sign language. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "American sign language" means the natural language recognized globally that is used by members of the deaf community and that is linguistically complete with unique rules for language structure and use, that include phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and discourse.

(b) "School district" means any school district organized and existing pursuant to law, but does not include a local college district.

(c) Repealed.

(2) A school district may offer one or more elective courses in American sign language.

(3) A school district may elect to treat American sign language as a foreign language and may:

(a) Grant academic credit for completion of an American sign language course or demonstrated proficiency in American sign language on the same basis as the successful completion of a foreign language; and

(b) Count completion of an American sign language course or demonstrated proficiency in American sign language toward the fulfillment of any foreign language requirement for graduation.
C.R.S. § 22-94-101 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 94 / Section 22-94-101
22-94-101. Definitions
Status: in_force

22-94-101. Definitions. As used in this article 94, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Department" means the department of education created and existing pursuant to section 24-1-115, C.R.S.

(2) "District" means a school district, a group of school districts, or a board of cooperative services as defined in section 22-5-103 (2).

(3) "Licensed teacher" means a teacher licensed pursuant to article 60.5 of this title 22.

(4) "Program" means a quality teacher recruitment program created by a vendor through a contract with the department.

(5) "Vendor" means a for-profit or nonprofit organization.
C.R.S. § 22-7-1014 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 7 / Part 10 / Section 22-7-1014
22-7-1014. Preschool individualized readiness plans - school readiness - assessments
Status: in_force

22-7-1014. Preschool individualized readiness plans - school readiness - assessments. (1) (a) Beginning in the fall semester of 2013, each local education provider that provides a preschool or kindergarten program shall ensure that each student enrolled in a preschool or kindergarten program operated by the local education provider receives an individualized readiness plan that addresses the preschool standards or kindergarten standards, as appropriate, and knowledge and skill areas in which a student needs assistance to make progress toward school readiness. If a student is identified as having a significant reading deficiency as provided in section 22-7-1205, the local education provider shall include the student's READ plan created pursuant to section 22-7-1206 as a component of the student's individualized readiness plan.

(b) In creating and implementing the individualized readiness plans, a local education provider shall use assessment instruments that are research-based, valid, and reliable to facilitate the systematic measurement of a student's increasing knowledge, skills, and accomplishments within the classroom context. The purpose of the continuing assessments shall be to help direct teachers' practice within the classroom with each student and thereby maximize each students' progress toward demonstrating school readiness.

(2) (a) Beginning with students who enter kindergarten in the fall semester of 2013, each local education provider shall ensure that each student enrolled in a kindergarten program operated by the local education provider progresses toward demonstrating school readiness. Each local education provider shall administer the school readiness assessment within the first sixty days of the school year to each student enrolled in a kindergarten program operated by the local education provider to measure each student's level of school readiness. If the local education provider administers a reading assessment pursuant to section 22-7-1205 (1)(a.5) within the first sixty days of the school year to students enrolled in the kindergarten program, the local education provider is not required to administer the literacy component of the school readiness assessment. The local education provider may choose to monitor a student's progress toward demonstrating school readiness by administering an approved school readiness assessment multiple times over the course of the school year.

(b) The results of the school readiness assessments shall not be used to deny a student admission or progression to first grade.

(3) The department of education, the division of child care, and the staff of the early childhood policy team in the lieutenant governor's office shall, upon request and subject to available appropriations, provide support to local education providers in implementing the preschool standards, individualized readiness plans, and school readiness assessments and in assisting students in progressing toward school readiness. Support may include, but need not be limited to:

(a) Assisting the local education provider in reviewing and revising curriculum;

(b) Communicating with early care and education providers, educators, local school board members, board of cooperative services members, charter school governing board members, school district and school administrators, and parents;

(c) Providing professional development for educators; and

(d) Collecting and making available a resource bank of examples of best practices in national, state, school district, school, and classroom reform efforts in early childhood and school readiness consistent with the intent of this part 10.
C.R.S. § 22-20-120 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 20 / Part 1 / Section 22-20-120
22-20-120. Parents encouraging parents conference - legislative declaration
Status: in_force

22-20-120. Parents encouraging parents conference - legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:

(a) Parents of children with disabilities often support their children until their death;

(b) There are no resources that adequately prepare parents for the task of supporting children with disabilities;

(c) Parents of children with disabilities struggle to obtain time away from caring for their child in order to gain personal insight and support from each other while learning of educational, legal, behavioral, and community resources;

(d) Both parents and professionals play critical interactive roles in a child's educational success and in developing and sustaining family and school partnerships;

(e) The parents encouraging parents conference uniquely motivates interpersonal and intrapersonal insight that is critical for successful parent and professional partnerships;

(f) The parents encouraging parents program was founded in 1978 and has made a difference in the lives of thousands of families; and

(g) Parents encouraging parents program evaluations have shown that participating parents feel less isolated than before participation and feel more hopeful and empowered to engage in advocacy for their child's education and life plans.

(2) Therefore, the general assembly declares that it is necessary to continue the parents encouraging parents program for families of children with disabilities.

(3) Subject to available federal funds, or subject to state appropriations, the department shall provide up to four parents encouraging parents conferences, referred to in this section as "conference", per year. The parents of a child with a disability are encouraged to attend as a couple. Alternatively, a parent is encouraged to attend with a support person.

(4) The department shall develop and facilitate an application process for people who want to attend a conference. At a minimum, a person is eligible to attend a conference if he or she is the parent of a child with a disability.

(5) A conference must be provided of sufficient length for content to be delivered, including at least one overnight stay.

(6) A conference shall be held at a venue equipped to meet regional conference participant needs.

(7) The department shall provide all conference participants with lodging and food, subject to available funding and consistent with state fiscal rules.

(8) The conference curriculum must include topics that enable parents to effectively partner with their children's teachers and schools to provide children with appropriate education services such as, but not limited to, the stages of grieving; special education in Colorado and the program standards for parent engagement in schools; an individual with a disability's legal rights under the federal "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act", 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq., as amended, or other related federal or state laws; participation in regional work sessions on family and school partnerships and resources; and how parents of children with a disability can advocate for their children.

(9) The conference must provide peer support for parents at working meals and during breaks.
C.R.S. § 22-7-602 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 7 / Part 6 / Section 22-7-602
22-7-602. Definitions
Status: repealed

22-7-602. Definitions. As used in this part 6, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Alternative education campus" means a public school, including a charter school, that receives a designation pursuant to section 22-7-604.5.

(1.5) Repealed.

(2) to (4) Repealed.

(5) "Department" means the department of education created and existing pursuant to section 24-1-115, C.R.S.

(6) "District school board" means the board of education of a school district existing pursuant to law.

(7) "Public school" means a school that receives a majority of its funding from moneys raised by a general state, county, or district tax and whose property is operated by a political subdivision of the state or a charter school established pursuant to article 30.5 of this title.

(8) Repealed.

(9) "State board" means the state board of education created and existing pursuant to section 1 of article IX of the state constitution.

(10) Repealed.
C.R.S. § 22-82.9-208 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 82.9 / Part 2 / Section 22-82.9-208
22-82.9-208. Report - audit
Status: in_force

22-82.9-208. Report - audit. (1) (a) On or before December 1, 2024, and on or before December 1 every two years thereafter, the department shall prepare a report concerning the implementation of section 22-82.9-204 and sections 22-82.9-205, 22-82.9-206, and 22-82.9-207, to the extent those sections are in effect as provided in section 22-82.9-204 (4)(b). At a minimum, the report must describe:

(I) The increase in the number of students who receive free eligible meals as a result of implementation of the program;

(II) The effect of the use of local food purchasing grants on the amount of Colorado grown, raised, or processed products purchased by participating school food authorities and include a compilation of the information reported by participating school food authorities pursuant to section 22-82.9-205 (1)(b);

(III) The effect of the distribution of money pursuant to section 22-82.9-206 on the amount of wages paid or the amount of stipends provided to individuals who are employed by public schools to prepare and serve school meals; and

(IV) A summary of the information reported by the nonprofit organization pursuant to section 22-82.9-207 (3) concerning implementation of the local school food purchasing technical assistance and education grant program.

(b) The department shall submit the report to the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate; the agriculture, livestock, and water committee of the house of representatives; and the agriculture and natural resources committee of the senate; or any successor committees.

(c) Notwithstanding the requirement in section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), the requirement to submit the report described in this subsection (1) continues indefinitely.

(2) (a) The department shall contract with an independent auditor to conduct a biennial financial and performance audit of the implementation of the program, including implementation of section 22-82.9-204 and implementation of local food purchasing grants pursuant to section 22-82.9-205, distributions for the increase in wages or provision of stipends pursuant to section 22-82.9-206, and implementation of the local school food purchasing technical assistance and education grant program pursuant to section 22-82.9-207, to the extent said sections are in effect as provided in section 22-82.9-204 (4)(b). Beginning December 1, 2027, the audit of the two budget years in each biennial cycle must be completed by December 1 of the following budget year. The department shall make the audit easily accessible by the public on the department website.

(b) Any appropriation to the department for purposes of an audit that is not expended in a budget year is further appropriated to the department through the close of the following budget year for the same purposes.
C.R.S. § 22-2-115 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 2 / Part 1 / Section 22-2-115
22-2-115. Early childhood education program - study - report to general assembly
Status: repealed

22-2-115. Early childhood education program - study - report to general assembly. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 22-108-104 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 108 / Section 22-108-104
22-108-104. Educational support for justice-engaged students - local education provider resp
Status: in_force

22-108-104. Educational support for justice-engaged students - local education provider responsibilities - point-of-contact person - guidance - automatic referral to multi-tiered systems of supports. (1) Each local education provider in the state shall:

(a) Prominently publish on its website an explanation of services and resources available for justice-engaged students, including the name, phone number, and email address of a point-of-contact person at the local education provider. The information should be easily accessible and offered in multiple languages, as best suits the needs of the demographic makeup of the area in which the local education provider is located.

(b) Designate one person to serve as point of contact for justice-engaged students and their families or caregivers. The point-of-contact person shall respond to inquiries and connect with justice-engaged students and their families or caregivers within three business days after an inquiry, pursuant to the justice-engaged student's bill of rights established in section 22-108-103. For small and rural school districts that are not members of a BOCES, a designated support person within the department may act as a point of contact for the purposes of this section, pursuant to section 22-108-109.

(2) (a) The designated point-of-contact person for each local education provider shall read and understand the guidance developed and provided pursuant to subsection (2)(b) of this section upon designation as the point of contact. The point-of-contact person shall be knowledgeable about alternative education options and wraparound services available to students enrolled in the local education provider.

(b) The department shall partner with persons involved with justice-engaged students in the state to develop guidance that aligns with the justice-engaged student's bill of rights established in section 22-108-103 and that includes guidance in state attendance laws, cases pertaining to education as a protected property interest, re-entry best practices, the credit transfer process developed pursuant to section 22-108-106, and requirements of the federal "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act", 20 U.S.C. sec. 1400 et seq., as amended, or section 504 of the federal "Rehabilitation Act of 1973", 29 U.S.C. sec. 794, as amended. On or before August 1, 2026, the department shall develop guidance and make it available to local education providers online and in modules for ease of access. Each local education provider shall ensure that the point-of-contact person for the provider has complete understanding of the guidance developed pursuant to this subsection (2)(b) on or before the pupil enrollment count day as defined in section 22-54-103 and maintain the position of a designated point-of-contact person.

(c) The guidance developed pursuant to subsection (2)(b) of this section is recommended for any person acting as a child welfare education liaison, guardian ad litem, counsel for youth, or other officers who work with youth. The department shall make the guidance publicly available to any youth-serving agency or community-based organization.

(3) The point-of-contact person shall actively engage with justice-engaged students and their families or caregivers to explore alternative solutions for educational attainment before resorting to a denial of access to education pursuant to article 33 of this title 22, and if the local education provider denies the student access to education, the point-of-contact person shall refer the student to the hotline created pursuant to section 22-108-108.

(4) Upon notification or request, a local education provider will work with the team of professionals, including the multi-tiered systems of supports and appropriate intervention teams, families, and justice-engaged students, to ensure a pathway to graduation that is consistent with requirements set forth in sections 22-2-106, 22-2-406, and 22-32-109, including workforce development opportunities, access to alternative educational programming, and mental health and other supports as and if appropriate and available. The team shall develop a plan to guide implementation of these supports.
C.R.S. § 22-1-125.5 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 1 / Section 22-1-125.5
22-1-125.5. Requirement for certification of public school athletic coaches in cardiopulmona
Status: in_force

22-1-125.5. Requirement for certification of public school athletic coaches in cardiopulmonary resuscitation - use of automated external defibrillators - definitions. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Currently certified in CPR" means that the person has completed training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation from a nationally recognized evidence-based certification program within the preceding two years.

(b) "Local education provider" means a school district, a charter school authorized by a school district pursuant to part 1 of article 30.5 of this title, a charter school authorized by the state charter school institute pursuant to part 5 of article 30.5 of this title, or a board of cooperative services created and operating pursuant to article 5 of this title that operates one or more public schools.

(c) "State board of education" means the state board of education created and existing pursuant to section 1 of article IX of the state constitution.

(2) No later than January 1, 2015, coaches of athletic programs employed by local education providers must be currently certified in CPR and must have received instruction in the effective use of an automated external defibrillator. The state board shall promulgate rules concerning the coaching staff positions that are included in this requirement.

(3) Nothing in this section abrogates or limits:

(a) The protections applicable to:

(I) Any person or entity that renders emergency assistance through the use of an automated external defibrillator pursuant to section 13-21-108.1 and article 53 of title 25; or

(II) Volunteers and board members pursuant to sections 13-21-115.7 and 13-21-116, C.R.S.; or

(b) The limits or protections applicable to public entities and public employees pursuant to the "Colorado Governmental Immunity Act", article 10 of title 24, C.R.S.
C.R.S. § 22-2-501 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 2 / Part 5 / Section 22-2-501
22-2-501. Legislative declaration
Status: in_force

22-2-501. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly hereby finds that:

(a) Teachers have a great impact in student achievement. Evidence shows that teacher quality can account for the majority of variances in student learning and test scores.

(b) The teaching and learning conditions under which teachers practice their profession, though often overlooked, are essential elements to student achievement and teacher retention. These conditions must be systematically studied and addressed for Colorado to develop a critical mass of teachers who are well prepared to teach and who will remain in hardest-to-staff schools long enough to make a significant difference for students and their families.

(c) Research also demonstrates that the negative effects of teacher shortages and distribution challenges have a disproportionate impact on the nation's most disadvantaged students, leaving poor and minority children more likely to be taught by less-qualified and under-prepared teachers.

(d) Teachers who are truly highly qualified teach well-designed, standards-based lessons and are able to teach those lessons successfully because they know how and why their students learn. These teachers work effectively with their colleagues to push and lead school improvement and work steadily to sharpen their skills and increase their knowledge because they believe it is part of their professional responsibility to do so.

(e) National board certification is a nationally accepted sign of quality in the teaching profession and offers a nationwide standard for evaluating and encouraging quality teaching. It is a means to recognize and reward the accomplished teachers the state needs to build competitive, world-class schools. National board certified teachers advance the quality of teaching and learning by maintaining high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do.

(2) The general assembly further finds and declares that, for purposes of section 17 of article IX of the state constitution, implementation of measures designed to improve teacher quality, recruitment, and retention through this part 5 and through House Bill 08-1384, as enacted at the second regular session of the sixty-sixth general assembly, is a critical element of accountable education reform, accountable programs to meet state academic standards, and performance incentives for teachers and, therefore, may receive funding from the state education fund created in section 17 (4) of article IX of the state constitution.
C.R.S. § 22-1-139 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 1 / Section 22-1-139
22-1-139. Accessible district profile reports - school climate reports and surveys - repor
Status: in_force

22-1-139. Accessible district profile reports - school climate reports and surveys - reporting - definition. (1) (a) On or before August 31, 2024, the department of education shall work to develop easily accessible, user-friendly profile reports for each school district and the charter school institute. The reports must be made easily accessible to the general public through a link on the department of education's website; updated annually; and disaggregated by gender, grade level, ethnicity, disability, English language learner status, free and reduced-price lunch status, and homeless status to the maximum extent possible in compliance with the "Colorado Privacy Act", established pursuant to part 13 of article 1 of title 6, the federal "Family Educational Rights and Privacy Rights Act of 1974", 20 U.S.C. sec. 1232g, and the "Student Data Transparency and Security Act" created pursuant to article 16 of this title 22. To prepare the profile reports, the department of education shall collect the individual student data described in subsection (1)(b) of this section. The department of education shall maintain strict standards for student data privacy, comply with standards for reporting data for a student with an accommodation pursuant to section 504 of the federal "Rehabilitation Act of 1973", 29 U.S.C. sec. 701 et seq., as amended, and its implementing regulations, or a student with an individualized education plan, and shall not publicly report individual student data for any purpose, including as part of the district profile reports.

(b) The profile reports must include, but are not limited to:

(I) Chronic absenteeism rates;

(II) The number of in-school and out-of-school suspensions;

(III) The number of expulsions;

(IV) The number of students handcuffed;

(V) The number of referrals to law enforcement. As used in this section, "referrals to law enforcement" means when a school employee proactively calls, summons, or requests a law enforcement official, including a school resource officer, to:

(A) Respond to an incident on school grounds involving a possible violation of local, state, or federal law;

(B) Engage with a student or third party on school grounds who is creating a potentially dangerous situation; or

(C) Enforce a local, state, or federal rule, regulation, or law on school grounds, in a school vehicle, or at a school activity or school-sanctioned event;

(VI) The number of school-related arrests, including an arrest that occurs on school grounds, in a school vehicle, or at a school activity or school-sanctioned event;

(VII) The number of students physically restrained; and

(VIII) The number of students placed in seclusion.

(2) (a) The district profiles must include data collected pursuant to section 22-2-112 (1)(u)(I) and any other existing district-level measures that the department of education determines relevant and related to school climate. In developing the profiles, the department of education shall consult with stakeholders, including members of the state advisory council for parent involvement in education, created in section 22-7-303; members of the Colorado special education advisory committee appointed pursuant to section 22-20-104 (2)(a); stakeholders who represent the disability community; K-12 advocates and students; and representatives of associations representing school executives, school boards, special education directors, charter schools, and teachers.

(b) The department of education may consult with state and national organizations or other states with expertise in measuring and improving students' experiences at school. By December 31, 2023, the department of education may make recommendations to the state board of education and the general assembly for additional indicators to consider for inclusion in the district profile report, including, but not limited to, measures of student engagement, students' emotional and physical safety and sense of belonging, and teachers' perspectives of learning conditions. Recommendations may also leverage information learned from pilot and grant programs related to improving students' experiences in school.

(3) Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, the department of education shall annually collect information concerning school climate surveys administered to students or families, or school climate tools utilized by schools and school districts, including which survey or tool is used, if any, and how the results of such surveys are made publicly accessible, if at all. The department of education shall include this information in the district profile reports.
C.R.S. § 22-80-117 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 80 / Section 22-80-117
22-80-117. Study group - creation - appointments - duties - report
Status: repealed

22-80-117. Study group - creation - appointments - duties - report. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 22-54-111 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 54 / Section 22-54-111
22-54-111. Adjustments in valuation for assessment
Status: in_force

22-54-111. Adjustments in valuation for assessment. (1) For each budget year, in calculating the total amount of revenue which a district is entitled to receive from the property tax levy for the general fund of a district during the budget year, the valuation for assessment of a district shall be adjusted as provided in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) If the valuation for assessment of a district includes the value of a certain property that was formerly tax-exempt but becomes taxable as a result of a change in the applicable state law and said inclusion is challenged by administrative appeal or litigation or both and the property taxes attributable to said property are not paid pending the outcome of said challenge, the valuation for assessment attributable to said property shall be subtracted from the valuation for assessment of the school district. If said property is finally determined to have been properly included in the district's valuation for assessment, the valuation for assessment attributable to said property shall be restored to the district's valuation for assessment, and the state general fund shall be reimbursed in full by the school district after collection of taxes, plus interest at the same rate as provided by statute for penalty interest on unpaid property taxes.
C.R.S. § 22-63-402 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 63 / Part 4 / Section 22-63-402
22-63-402. Services - disbursements
Status: in_force

22-63-402. Services - disbursements. No order or warrant for the disbursement of school district moneys shall be drawn in favor of any person for services as a teacher, except for services performed for a local college district or in an adult education program, unless the person holds a valid teacher's license or authorization from the department of education. Such license or authorization shall be duly registered in the administrative office of the school district wherein the services are to be rendered. A teacher shall hold a valid license or authorization during all periods of employment by a school district. A person who performs services as a teacher without possessing a valid teacher's license or authorization shall forfeit all claim to compensation out of school district moneys for the time during which services are performed without the license or authorization.
C.R.S. § 22-1-134 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 1 / Section 22-1-134
22-1-134. Hunter education course - gifts, grants, or donations - definitions
Status: in_force

22-1-134. Hunter education course - gifts, grants, or donations - definitions. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "local education provider" means a school district or any of the following that enrolls students in the seventh grade:

(a) A charter school authorized by a school district pursuant to part 1 of article 30.5 of this title 22;

(b) A charter school authorized by the state charter school institute pursuant to part 5 of article 30.5 of this title 22; or

(c) A board of cooperative services created and operating pursuant to article 5 of this title 22 that operates one or more public schools.

(2) A local education provider may offer a hunter education course as an elective course to seventh-grade students, either for credit or not for credit, if the local education provider:

(a) Enters into an agreement pursuant to subsection (3)(c) of this section with an individual or entity to provide a hunter education course at no cost to the local education provider or any student enrolled in the course; and

(b) Receives gifts, grants, or donations in an amount sufficient to pay any costs to the local education provider that arise from providing a hunter education course pursuant to this section.

(3) (a) A hunter education course offered pursuant to this section must:

(I) Satisfy the same requirements as a hunter education course certified by the division of parks and wildlife, as described in section 33-6-107 (8); except that the course is not required to include hands-on activities that may otherwise be required by the division of parks and wildlife; and

(II) Be taught by an instructor certified by the division of parks and wildlife.

(b) A hunter education course offered pursuant to this section may include hands-on activities, but a local education provider cannot require a student to participate in the hands-on activities as a condition of enrollment in, or satisfactory completion of, a hunter education course. A student may only participate in hands-on activities with the permission of the student's parent or legal guardian.

(c) Prior to offering a hunter education course pursuant to this section, a local education provider must enter into an agreement with an individual or entity that offers hunter education courses certified by the division of parks and wildlife to provide the hunter education course at no cost to the local education provider or any student enrolled in the course. For the purposes of this section, a hunter education course provided pursuant to an agreement entered into pursuant to this subsection (3)(c) is considered a hunter education course offered by the local education provider.

(4) This section does not constitute a waiver of any applicable state or federal law.

(5) A local education provider may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from private or public sources for the purposes of this section.

(6) Nothing in this section precludes a local education provider from offering hunter education courses as an elective course in any other grade.

(7) (a) A hunter education course offered pursuant to this section shall only allow the possession of inert firearms and dummy rounds on the real estate or any improvements erected on the real estate of any public or private elementary, middle, junior high, or high school.

(b) As used in this subsection (7), "inert firearm" means any handgun, revolver, pistol, rifle, or shotgun, incapable of discharging bullets, cartridges, or other explosive charges.
C.R.S. § 22-30.5-519 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 30.5 / Part 5 / Section 22-30.5-519
22-30.5-519. Institute charter school standardized immunization information policy
Status: in_force

22-30.5-519. Institute charter school standardized immunization information policy. On or before July 1, 2011, the state charter school institute shall annually provide to the parent or legal guardian of each student enrolled in the institute charter school the standardized immunization document developed by the department of public health and environment pursuant to section 25-4-902 (4), C.R.S. For purposes of this section, an institute charter school shall have the discretion to determine the method of distribution of the standardized immunization document, including but not limited to providing a copy to parents and legal guardians, providing the standardized immunization document in a newsletter or handbook, or providing to parents and legal guardians an electronic copy of the standardized immunization document. For purposes of this section, solely posting a copy of the standardized immunization document on a website or in a central area of the school is not sufficient to satisfy the notice requirements of this section; however, the institute is encouraged to post a copy of the standardized immunization document on its website.
C.R.S. § 22-30-111 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 30 / Part 1 / Section 22-30-111
22-30-111. Compensation - expenses
Status: in_force

22-30-111. Compensation - expenses. Members of the committee shall not receive compensation for service on such committee from state moneys. The affected school districts shall compensate committee members for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties under this article. For purposes of this section, "actual expenses" means travel expenses and expenses incurred in purchasing necessary supplies.
C.R.S. § 22-54-144 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 54 / Section 22-54-144
22-54-144. Additional at-risk funding - 2021-22 budget year - legislative declaration - def
Status: repealed

22-54-144. Additional at-risk funding - 2021-22 budget year - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 22-30.7-110 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 30.7 / Section 22-30.7-110
22-30.7-110. Reviews of multi-district programs - rules
Status: repealed

22-30.7-110. Reviews of multi-district programs - rules. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 22-1-142.5 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 1 / Section 22-1-142.5
22-1-142.5. Wearing cultural or religious objects at public school graduation ceremonies - d
Status: in_force

22-1-142.5. Wearing cultural or religious objects at public school graduation ceremonies - definitions. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Adornment" means something attached to, or worn with, but not replacing or covering in its entirety, graduation attire, and is not limited to decorating graduation caps.

(b) "Cultural" means a recognized practice or tradition of a certain group of people and includes only a protected class based on disability, race, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family composition, religion, age, national origin, or ancestry. "Cultural" does not include objects related to tribal regalia as defined in section 22-1-142, incitement, defamation, fraud, obscenity, child pornography, fighting words, and threats.

(c) "Graduation attire" means attire that a public school, school district, charter school institute, or board of cooperative services requires a student to wear as part of the dress code for a graduation ceremony.

(d) "Public school" means a school, including a district charter school, of a school district; a school operated by a board of cooperative services; an institute charter school; or the Colorado school for the deaf and the blind.

(e) "Student" means an individual participating in the graduation ceremony as a graduate.

(2) A student may wear recognized objects of cultural or religious significance as an adornment during the student's graduation ceremony. An adornment worn by a student must comply with the public school's, school district's, charter school institute's, or board of cooperative services' dress code policy, as long as the dress code policy does not infringe upon a student's gender expression, as defined in section 24-34-301, gender identity, religion, or culture.

(3) A public school, school district, charter school institute, or board of cooperative services shall not impose restrictions on what a student may wear under the student's required graduation attire beyond what is required by a public school's, school district's, charter school institute's, or board of cooperative services' dress code policy, as long as the dress code policy does not infringe upon a student's gender expression, as defined in section 24-34-301, gender identity, religion, or culture.

(4) (a) This section does not limit a public school's, school district's, charter school institute's, or board of cooperative services' ability to prohibit an adornment that is likely to cause substantial disruption of, or material interference with, the graduation ceremony.

(b) A prohibition imposed by a public school, school district, charter school institute, or board of cooperative services pursuant to subsection (4)(a) of this section must be:

(I) Based on evidence of disruption rather than relying on an undifferentiated fear or apprehension of disturbance; and

(II) By the least restrictive means necessary.

(5) On or before the start of the 2024-25 school year, a public school, school district, charter school institute, or board of cooperative services shall develop and adopt a policy that aligns with the requirements of this section.

(6) This section applies to all public school graduations, including, but not limited to, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, junior high school, and high school graduations.

(7) This section does not limit the rights of certain individuals to wear tribal regalia to a public school graduation, as described in section 22-1-142.
C.R.S. § 22-7-302 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 7 / Part 3 / Section 22-7-302
22-7-302. Definitions
Status: in_force

22-7-302. Definitions. As used in this part 3, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Charter school" means a charter school authorized by a school district pursuant to part 1 of article 30.5 of this title or a charter school authorized by the state charter school institute pursuant to part 5 of article 30.5 of this title.

(2) "Close the achievement and growth gap" means to lessen the variance in academic achievement and growth among student groups, as reflected in state assessment scores, in the scores achieved on the curriculum-based, achievement college entrance exam, and in calculations of students' longitudinal academic growth, by improving the academic achievement and growth of students in those groups that are underperforming.

(3) "Council" means the Colorado state advisory council for parent involvement in education created in section 22-7-303.

(4) "Department" means the department of education created and existing pursuant to section 24-1-115, C.R.S.

(5) "National standards for family-school partnerships" means the following research-based standards for family-school partnerships recognized nationally by parent teacher associations:

(a) Families are active participants in the life of the school and feel welcomed, valued, and connected to each other, to school staff, and to what students are learning and doing in the classroom;

(b) Families and school staff engage in regular, meaningful communication about student learning;

(c) Families and school staff continuously collaborate to support students' learning and healthy development both at home and at school and have regular opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and skills to provide said support effectively;

(d) Families are empowered to be advocates for their own and other children to ensure that students are treated fairly and have access to learning opportunities that will support their success;

(e) Families and school staff are equal partners in decisions that affect children and families and together inform, influence, and create policies, practices, and programs; and

(f) Families and school staff collaborate with community members to connect students, families, and staff to expanded learning opportunities, community services, and civic participation.

(6) "Parent" means a child's biological parent, adoptive parent, or legal guardian or another adult person recognized by the child's school as the child's primary caregiver.

(7) "Parent education program" means a program to teach parents strategies and skills for working with their children and the staff of the schools and institutions of higher education in which their children are enrolled.

(8) "Parent involvement grant program" means the parent involvement in education grant program created in section 22-7-305.

(9) "School-based parent information resource center" means a center that provides to parents information on education opportunities for their children, training for parents and families on education issues, and other support services that may be available to parents, such as mental health services, social services, and housing referrals.

(10) "State board" means the state board of education created and existing pursuant to section 1 of article IX of the state constitution.

(11) "Student populations that are significantly represented in the state" means student populations that each constitute at least ten percent of the total population of students in the state, which student populations may include, but need not be limited to, the student populations described in section 22-11-301 (3).
C.R.S. § 22-7-613 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 7 / Part 6 / Section 22-7-613
22-7-613. Closing the achievement gap cash fund - creation - repeal
Status: repealed

22-7-613. Closing the achievement gap cash fund - creation - repeal. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 22-11-701 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 11 / Part 7 / Section 22-11-701
22-11-701. Legislative declaration
Status: in_force

22-11-701. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds that:

(a) The statewide accountability system relies substantially on large-scale, state-administered assessment results to measure public school and school district performance. Using these results provides a limited picture of the successes of and challenges faced by public schools and school districts and may not fully reflect the priorities and values of local communities.

(b) Several public schools and school districts in Colorado and in other states have begun experimenting with accountability structures that measure a broader range of student competencies and system effectiveness, which provides an opportunity for the state to learn from different approaches to measuring public school and school district performance;

(c) Public schools and school districts in Colorado have also begun experimenting with additional measures of college and career readiness; and

(d) A broader-based accountability system is consistent with the vision and framework adopted by the state education leadership council, created by executive order B 2017 001, and may provide the information necessary to move toward the council's goals concerning student competencies and learning environment characteristics. Specifically, the council's report recommends the following with regard to accountability:

(I) Continuous evaluation of state-level accountability and assessment policies, taking into consideration the viewpoints of multiple stakeholders;

(II) Support for ongoing research and evaluation of state assessment systems;

(III) Allowance for the experimentation necessary to effectively eliminate performance gaps, give local value to accountability, and drive meaningful, continuous improvement efforts; and

(IV) Definition and inclusion of locally important measures, such as engagement, employment, and higher education attainment outcomes, and incorporation of these measures into accountability policies.

(2) The general assembly finds, therefore, that it is in the best interests of the state to strengthen the accountability system for public schools and school districts by encouraging and supporting the development of local accountability systems that may inform the continuous improvement of the state's public school accountability system.
C.R.S. § 22-5-108 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 5 / Section 22-5-108
22-5-108. Powers of board of cooperative services
Status: in_force

22-5-108. Powers of board of cooperative services. (1) In addition to any other powers granted by law, the board of cooperative services shall have the following specific powers, to be exercised in its judgment:

(a) Those powers set forth for boards of education in section 22-32-110 (1)(b) to (1)(k), (1)(n) to (1)(q), (1)(s) to (1)(w), (1)(y), (1)(aa) to (1)(ee), and (1)(jj), and in sections 22-32-113, 22-32-114, 22-32-116 to 22-32-118, 22-32-120 to 22-32-122, and 22-32-124;

(b) To take and hold in the name of the board of cooperative services so much real and personal property as may be reasonably necessary for any purpose authorized by law;

(c) To operate schools and classes as authorized by the members;

(d) To determine which programs and facilities of the board of cooperative services shall be operated and maintained;

(e) To award diplomas or certificates of accomplishment as authorized by the members;

(f) To exclude from any library operated by the board of cooperative services any books, magazines, papers, or other publications which, in the judgment of the board, are of immoral or pernicious nature;

(g) To select a depositary for moneys belonging to the board of cooperative services, and to invest any funds on hand which are not then needed in the conduct of its affairs in any securities which are legal investments for the state and its political subdivisions, pursuant to part 6 of article 75 of title 24, C.R.S.;

(h) To enter into contracts and to receive federal matching funds for moneys spent in providing student health services pursuant to section 25.5-5-301 (6) or 25.5-5-318, C.R.S.;

(i) To contract with a district charter school or an institute charter school pursuant to section 22-30.5-104 (7)(b) or 22-30.5-507 (8)(b), respectively, for the use of a school building and grounds, the operation and maintenance of the building and grounds, and the provision of any service, activity, or undertaking that the district charter school or institute charter school is required to perform to carry out the educational program described in its charter contract.
C.R.S. § 22-107-104 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 107 / Section 22-107-104
22-107-104. Task force duties - report
Status: in_force

22-107-104. Task force duties - report. (1) To inform the work of the task force, the department of education shall collect, study, and publicly report the school transportation data described in this subsection (1). The department of education shall present, at a minimum, the following data to the task force as it becomes available:

(a) Student eligibility, including factors used by school districts and charter schools to determine eligibility for transportation and whether the factors used create barriers for students to attend their school-district-assigned neighborhood public school, public school of choice, or career pathways program;

(b) Student utilization, including how many eligible students utilize school transportation, whether routes are at capacity, and methodologies used by school districts and charter schools to identify utilization patterns and adjust operations accordingly;

(c) Driver staffing levels, including staffing required to cover routes, driver pay rates, hours of operation, vacancies, and whether and how school districts and charter schools contract with public transportation providers or alternative transportation providers to satisfy school transportation needs;

(d) Fleet diversification, including the types of buses or vehicles used to satisfy school transportation needs and costs associated with each type of bus and vehicle used and including, for each type of bus and vehicle used, electrification options, fuel costs, maintenance costs, purchase prices, resale values, and salvage values; and

(e) Service gaps, including identifying discrepancies between eligible students and utilization, and causes of those discrepancies.

(2) Considering data collected by the department of education pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, and input from task force members or other experts as consulted, the task force shall create a report containing findings and recommendations for the purpose of improving school transportation services for students. The report must include:

(a) Identification of transportation challenges that create barriers to students attending a school-district-assigned neighborhood public school, public school of choice, or career pathway programs;

(b) Recommendations for implementing a simplified reimbursement process for school districts based on the findings or recommendations from the transportation subcommittee of the financial policies and procedures advisory committee of the department of education;

(c) Identification of existing and potential funding sources for providing school transportation;

(d) Recommendations for creating and implementing sustainable funding mechanisms to meet school transportation needs;

(e) Recommendations for creating and implementing a transportation innovation fund to support local efforts to create new and innovative transportation solutions that may serve as a model to scale and sustain in other school districts and charter schools;

(f) Recommendations for facilitating partnerships among school districts, district and institute charter schools, public transportation providers, private transportation providers, and local nonprofit organizations to meet transportation needs and create cost efficiencies while maintaining safety standards;

(g) Recommendations for creating pathways and talent pipelines for transportation provider and logistics careers;

(h) Recommendations for competitive salaries and benefits packages necessary to recruit and retain school transportation drivers;

(i) Identification of outcomes from transportation assistance grants from the department of education, and recommendations for replication or expansion;

(j) An analysis of the costs and benefits associated with requiring route school buses that can control traffic with alternating flashing red lights to have automated vehicle information systems, as defined in section 42-4-110.5 (6), to record motor vehicles that unlawfully pass a stopped route school bus; and

(k) Recommendations for legislation or rules that may improve school transportation, including recommendations for legislation or rules that do not exacerbate the marginalization of communities through separation while protecting public funds with clear accountability and transparency.

(3) On or before December 1, 2024, the task force shall submit its report to the education committees of the senate and house of representatives, or any successor committees, the state board of education, and the governor and shall publish the report on its website.
C.R.S. § 22-35.6-102 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 35.6 / Section 22-35.6-102
22-35.6-102. Definitions
Status: in_force

22-35.6-102. Definitions. As used in this article 35.6, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of education appointed by the state board of education pursuant to section 1 of article IX of the state constitution.

(2) "Department" means the department of education created and operating pursuant to section 24-1-115.

(3) "Education leadership council" means the council convened by executive order B 2017-001 in 2017 to identify the vision and strategic plan for education in Colorado.

(4) "Innovative learning opportunities" means learning experiences that usually occur outside of the classroom. "Innovative learning opportunities" may include work-based learning, such as apprenticeships, competency-based learning projects, capstone projects, and other learning experiences that are designed to support students in developing and demonstrating personal skills, entrepreneurial skills, civic and interpersonal skills, and professional skills as described by the department.

(5) "Innovative learning plan" or "plan" means a local education provider's plan to provide a variety of innovative learning opportunities to students enrolled in grades nine through twelve.

(6) "Local education provider" means:

(a) A school district organized pursuant to article 30 of this title 22;

(b) A school of a school district, as described in subsection (6)(a) of this section;

(c) A board of cooperative services created pursuant to article 5 of this title 22;

(d) A charter school authorized by a school district pursuant to part 1 of article 30.5 of this title 22; or

(e) An institute charter school authorized by the state charter school institute pursuant to part 5 of article 30.5 of this title 22.

(7) "Pilot program" means the high school innovative learning pilot program created in section 22-35.6-103.

(8) "Rural local education provider" means:

(a) A school district in Colorado that the department determines is rural, based on the geographic size of the school district and the distance of the school district from the nearest large, urbanized area;

(b) A district charter school that is authorized by a school district described in subsection (8)(a) of this section; and

(c) An institute charter school that is located within the geographic boundaries of a school district described in subsection (8)(a) of this section.

(9) "Small suburban school district" means a school district that is located in a suburban area, as identified by the department, and that enrolls fewer than two thousand students.

(10) "State board" means the state board of education created pursuant to section 1 of article IX of the state constitution.
C.R.S. § 22-107-105 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 107 / Section 22-107-105
22-107-105. Repeal of article
Status: repealed

22-107-105. Repeal of article. This article 107 is repealed, effective July 1, 2025.
C.R.S. § 22-20-102.5 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 20 / Part 1 / Section 22-20-102.5
22-20-102.5. Legislative declaration - identification of gifted children
Status: repealed

22-20-102.5. Legislative declaration - identification of gifted children. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 22-2-301 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 2 / Part 3 / Section 22-2-301
22-2-301. Short title
Status: in_force

22-2-301. Short title. This part 3 shall be known and may be cited as the "Data Reporting and Technology Act".
C.R.S. § 22-16-110 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 16 / Section 22-16-110
22-16-110. School service contract provider - data security - data destruction
Status: in_force

22-16-110. School service contract provider - data security - data destruction. (1) Each school service contract provider shall maintain a comprehensive information security program that is reasonably designed to protect the security, privacy, confidentiality, and integrity of student personally identifiable information. The information security program must make use of appropriate administrative, technological, and physical safeguards.

(2) During the term of a contract between a school service contract provider and a public education entity, if the contracting public education entity requests destruction of a student's student personally identifiable information collected, generated, or inferred as a result of the contract, the contracting school service contract provider shall destroy the information as soon as practicable after the date of the request unless:

(a) The school service contract provider obtains the consent of the student or the student's parent to retain the student's student personally identifiable information; or

(b) The student has transferred to another public education entity and the receiving public education entity has requested that the school service contract provider retain the student's student personally identifiable information.

(3) Following the termination or conclusion of a contract between a school service contract provider and a public education entity, the school service contract provider shall, within the time period specified in the contract, destroy all student personally identifiable information collected, generated, or inferred as a result of the contract. If the contract does not specify a period for destruction of student personally identifiable information, the contract provider shall destroy the information when the information is no longer needed for the purpose of the contract between the contract provider and the public education entity. The contract provider shall notify the public education entity of the date upon which all of the student personally identifiable information is destroyed.
C.R.S. § 22-32-104 — CO Code / Title 22 / Article 32 / Section 22-32-104
22-32-104. Organization of board of education - definition
Status: in_force

22-32-104. Organization of board of education - definition. (1) Within fifteen days after a school district receives the official abstract of votes pursuant to section 1-10-102, C.R.S., the incumbent secretary of the school district shall call a special meeting of the board of education of the district for the purpose of selecting officers of the board. At the meeting the incumbent president of the board shall preside until a successor has been elected and qualified.

(2) The officers of a board of education of a school district shall be a president, a vice-president, a secretary, and a treasurer, and, at the discretion of the board, an assistant secretary and an assistant treasurer. One person may simultaneously hold the offices of secretary and treasurer, or the offices of assistant secretary and assistant treasurer if there be such offices.

(3) The president and vice-president shall be members of the board, shall be elected by a majority of the board, and shall each hold office for a term of two years and until a successor has been elected and qualified. Whenever a vacancy occurs in either office, the remaining members of the board shall elect a successor to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. A vacancy shall occur in either office under the same conditions and in the same manner prescribed for a vacancy occurring in the office of a school director. Whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of a school director who is also president or vice-president of the board, nothing contained in this section shall be construed to mean that the person appointed to fill the vacant office of school director shall also be entitled to serve as such officer of the board.

(4) (a) The secretary and treasurer, and the assistant secretary and assistant treasurer if there be such offices, shall be appointed by the board. They may or may not be members of the board and shall hold their offices at the pleasure of the board.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this subsection (4), no person shall enter upon the office of secretary or treasurer, or assistant secretary or assistant treasurer if there are such offices, until he or she has given a surety bond, in form satisfactory to the board, in the amount of five thousand dollars, conditioned upon the faithful performance of his or her duties as required by law and prescribed by the bylaws of the board of education. In addition, except as provided in paragraph (d) of this subsection (4), the treasurer, and the assistant treasurer if there be such office, shall give bond in such further amount, in such form, and for such purposes as the board may require.

(c) The board may also appoint and authorize any other person to act as custodian of moneys belonging to the district. Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this subsection (4), such person shall give surety bonds, in such amount and form and for such purposes as the board may require.

(d) In lieu of the bonds required by paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection (4), a school district may purchase crime insurance coverage on behalf of the officers and employees to protect the school district from any malfeasance on the part of the officer while in office or employees.

(5) The officers and members of the board of education of a school district may be compensated for their services in an amount determined by written resolution adopted by a majority vote of the board in a public meeting; except that no officer or member of the board may have his or her compensation increased during the term in office to which he or she has been elected or appointed. All officers and members of the board shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in an official capacity in amounts approved by a majority vote of the board in a public meeting.

(6) (a) Any compensation provided to officers and members of the board pursuant to section 22-32-104 (5) shall not be higher than one hundred fifty dollars per day for not more than five days of service per week, excluding federal and state holidays. The board may only receive compensation for days when official board duties are performed. For purposes of this subsection (6)(a), "official board duties" means board meetings and other official activities and duties, including those that are conducted with a majority of the board present.

(b) After January 1, 2022, any compensation provided to officers and members of the board pursuant to section 22-32-104 (5) and subsection (6)(a) of this section may be adjusted by the board in accordance with changes in the United States department of labor's bureau of labor statistics consumer price index for Denver-Aurora-Lakewood for all items and all urban consumers, or its successor index.