HB18-1367: School Leadership Pilot Program

• Establishes the School Leadership Pilot Program to provide professional development in distributive and collaborative leadership to public school principals in Colorado, aimed at improving educator retention, school climate, and student outcomes.

• Department of Education designs and implements the program during 2018-19, with implementation beginning by July 2019; may contract with nonprofit entities experienced in principal leadership training.

• School principals may apply during 2019-20 and 2020-21 budget years; the State Board of Education selects participants based on school performance levels and likelihood of success, with preference for representation across rural, suburban, and urban districts.

• State Board awards grants to employing entities of selected principals covering participation costs; $1,500,000 appropriated from the general fund for 2018-19 to the newly created School Leadership Pilot Program Fund.

• Department must report to education committees by March 15, 2019 on program design and by January 15, 2021 on implementation results with recommendations; entire program repeals July 1, 2021.