Opinion ID: 1219021
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Proposed Initiative on School Pilot Program

Text: The title as designated and fixed by the Board is as follows: AN AMENDMENT TO THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION REQUIRING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ESTABLISH ONE OR MORE PILOT PROGRAMS TO DEMONSTRATE THE VIABILITY OF PARENTAL CHOICE IN EDUCATION; SPECIFYING THAT ANY FUNDS EXPENDED UNDER THE MEASURE ARE GRANTS OF AID TO CHILDREN THROUGH THEIR PARENTS; ESTABLISHING THE PERCENTAGE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN PILOT PROGRAMS; PERMITTING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO REPEAL ANY INEFFECTIVE PROGRAM; SPECIFYING THAT AFTER 2001, ANY PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL CHOICE ESTABLISHED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MUST BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE STATE; AND PROHIBITING ANY DECREASE IN PER PUPIL FUNDING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS AS A RESULT OF IMPLEMENTING PILOT PROGRAMS WHILE NOT INCREASING THE AMOUNT THE STATE WOULD OTHERWISE EXPEND ON EDUCATION. The ballot title and submission clause as designated and fixed by the Board is as follows: SHALL THERE BE AN AMENDMENT TO THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION REQUIRING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ESTABLISH ONE OR MORE PILOT PROGRAMS TO DEMONSTRATE THE VIABILITY OF PARENTAL CHOICE IN EDUCATION; SPECIFYING THAT ANY FUNDS EXPENDED UNDER THE MEASURE ARE GRANTS OF AID TO CHILDREN THROUGH THEIR PARENTS; ESTABLISHING THE PERCENTAGE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN PILOT PROGRAMS; PERMITTING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO REPEAL ANY INEFFECTIVE PROGRAM; SPECIFYING THAT AFTER 2001, ANY PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL CHOICE ESTABLISHED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MUST BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE STATE; AND PROHIBITING ANY DECREASE IN PER PUPIL FUNDING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS AS A RESULT OF IMPLEMENTING PILOT PROGRAMS WHILE NOT INCREASING THE AMOUNT THE STATE WOULD OTHERWISE EXPEND ON EDUCATION? The summary prepared by the Board is as follows: This measure directs the general assembly to establish one or more pilot programs to demonstrate the viability of parental choice in education. Pilot programs created under the measure are to be designed in a manner that provides a valid test of school choice as a mechanism to empower the greatest number of parents to select from the broadest array of quality educational options for their children while not increasing the amount the state would otherwise spend on education under the school finance act. Under the measure, a minimum of ten percent of the state's total elementary and secondary school population are required to be eligible to participate in pilot programs during the 1995-96 school year. Thereafter, the number of eligible students is to be increased by at least five percent each year until 2001. The general assembly is directed to review pilot programs in January, 2001 and is authorized to repeal any ineffective program. After 2001, any program for school choice established by the general assembly must be made available to all elementary and secondary school students in the state. The general assembly is authorized to require any school that participates in a pilot program to meet certain academic standards that measure student cognitive development. The measure is not to be construed to allow or encourage the regulation of private educational systems beyond the authority which existed on January 1, 1994. The measure expressly prohibits any decrease in per pupil funding for public school students as a result of implementing pilot programs. Any funds expended under the measure are expressly declared to be grants of aid to children through their parents and not to the schools where the children are enrolled. Funds may not be expended to purchase educational services from: any institution operated, controlled, or funded by any organization formed for political purposes; any institution that teaches hatred of any person or group on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, or gender; or any institution that discriminates on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, or national origin. The fiscal impact of this measure is indeterminate. 2/16/94 Hearing Adjourned 2:45 p.m.