CO HB1007

Establishes a workgroup convened by the Department of Higher Education and Department of Education to investigate barriers to preparation, recruitment, and retention of diverse educators in Colorado public schools.

Workgroup must include representatives from teacher preparation programs, alternative teacher programs, community colleges, school districts, teachers, principals, researchers, and nonprofit organizations with relevant expertise.

Requires workgroup to submit findings and recommendations to education committees by September 30, 2021, addressing barriers and effective strategies to increase educator diversity, including consideration of licensure testing pass rates, pipeline development, and retention incentives.

Modifies annual educator preparation program reporting requirements to include data disaggregated by candidates' and graduates' gender, race, and ethnicity, with reports posted on both departments' websites.

Appropriates $7,400 to the Department of Higher Education for the 2020-21 fiscal year to support the workgroup; the new statute expires July 1, 2022.