HB 13-1211 Summary

• Repeals and reenacts the English Language Proficiency Act (ELPA) to extend funding eligibility from 2 years to 5 budget years for English language learners in Colorado public schools.

• Changes terminology from "students with limited English proficiency" to "English language learners" (ELL) and allocates funding on a per-pupil basis with uniform per-student amounts rather than differentiated by proficiency level.

• Requires local education providers to implement evidence-based English language proficiency programs, identify and assess ELLs annually, and submit budgets and expenditure reports to the Department of Education.

• Establishes two new programs: the English Language Proficiency Act Excellence Award Program ($250,000) to grant awards to high-performing providers, and the Professional Development and Student Support Program ($6,267,766) to fund educator training and student support services.

• Appropriates $479,144 and 6.0 FTE to the Department of Education for fiscal year 2013-2014 to implement new administrative requirements and monitoring of local education providers.