SB20-103 Summary

• Requires the Colorado Department of Education to recommend policies and procedures to the State Board of Education by October 15, 2020, establishing uniform guidelines for student open enrollment within and across school districts.

• State Board must promulgate rules by March 1, 2021, addressing application timelines, notification deadlines, acceptance procedures, application format consistency, and online/email submission options.

• Rules must apply to the 2021-22 school year, with staggered implementation allowed until 2022-23 if immediately practicable.

• Requires school district policies to comply with the State Board rules and establishes priority enrollment for students with unsatisfactory proficiency ratings attending schools under turnaround or restructuring plans.

• Declares that over 100,000 Colorado students currently use school choice, but inconsistent deadlines and paperwork requirements create barriers, particularly for lower-income students, English language learners, and special education students.