CO HB1278

Summary of HB 25-1278: Education Accountability System Modifications

• Implements 30 task force recommendations from the bipartisan 26-member accountability task force created by HB 23-1241, which convened over 150 hours of meetings to address challenges affecting over 800,000 K-12 students

• Creates new postsecondary and workforce readiness indicators beginning in 2026-27, measuring college credits earned in high school, work-based learning, industry credentials, enrollment in postsecondary programs/military, and graduation/dropout rates

• Establishes "pathway plans" for schools and districts on performance watch, requiring multi-year improvement strategies with budget allocations, financial sustainability plans, community engagement, and specific significant actions approved by the State Board

• Expands assessment accommodations and translations, including pencil-and-paper formats for students with IEPs/504 plans, Spanish assessments for grades 5-8 reading/writing, and translated assessments in other languages when 1,500+ English language learners share a language background per grade level

• Requires corrective action plans from schools/districts with "insufficient data for low student participation" in state assessments, with presentation to the State Board required after three consecutive years; appropriates $559,187 and 3.4 FTE to the Department of Education for implementation