HB 12-1261 Summary

• Defines "low-performing, high-needs school" as a school required to submit a priority improvement or turnaround plan under Colorado law.

• Expands national board certification stipend program to include principals in addition to teachers, awarding an annual $1,600 stipend to nationally board certified educators employed in any school district or charter school.

• Provides an additional annual $3,200 stipend to nationally board certified teachers and principals employed in low-performing, high-needs schools, with continued eligibility if the school improves to an improvement or performance plan status.

• Prioritizes stipend funding to low-performing, high-needs schools when insufficient appropriations exist to fund all nationally board certified educators.

• Appropriates $604,800 from the state education fund for fiscal year 2012-13 to support stipends for nationally board certified teachers under this act.