CO HB1290

Appropriates $4,197,000 from the State Education Fund to the Department of Education for the 2024-25 fiscal year to fund stipends for eligible students entering the educator workforce.

Department of Education transfers spending authority to the Department of Higher Education to administer the student educator stipend program.

Appropriates an additional $4,197,000 to the Department of Higher Education for the 2024-25 fiscal year from reappropriated funds, with an assumption of requiring 1.0 additional FTE.

Declares that awarding stipend money to reduce financial barriers for students entering the educator workforce is a critical element of accountable education reform, accountable programs to meet state academic standards, and class size reduction.

Funds are sourced from the State Education Fund created under Section 17(4) of Article IX of the Colorado Constitution.