HB 17-1003 Summary

• Directs the Department of Higher Education in partnership with the Department of Education to create a strategic action plan addressing teacher shortages in Colorado by December 1, 2017.

• Requires the plan to examine teacher preparation program enrollment and completion rates, identify financial resources for teacher candidates, pinpoint geographic areas and subject areas with shortages, and analyze reasons teachers leave the profession.

• Mandates collaboration with institutions of higher education, school districts, charter schools, teacher organizations, administrators, and education advocacy groups, with documentation of consensus-based recommendations.

• Requires plan to include strategies for removing recruitment and retention obstacles, reducing licensure barriers, improving induction programs, and identifying implementation costs while including zero-cost strategies.

• Plan automatically repeals July 1, 2018, and takes effect 90 days after final adjournment of the general assembly (August 9, 2017).