HB 18-1332 Summary

• Creates the Collaborative Educator Preparation Grant Program within the Department of Higher Education to address Colorado's teacher shortage through partnerships between educator preparation programs and local education providers.

• Authorizes the department to award one-time grants to partnerships for developing targeted educator preparation initiatives, including teacher residency programs, paraprofessional training, rural educator preparation, dual licensure programs, and technology-supported supervision.

• Requires the department to convene meetings beginning August 2018 between local education providers and educator preparation programs to develop joint initiatives, with assistance from a contracted entity and the rural education coordinator.

• Appropriates $2,000,000 from the general fund for the 2018-19 fiscal year, with unexpended funds remaining available for the 2019-20 fiscal year.

• Requires grant recipients to report on implementation including strategies used, number of educators served, and evaluation of success in improving preparation quality and educator retention; department must submit comprehensive report to legislature by November 1, 2020; section repeals July 1, 2021.