In 2019, Colorado Succeeds supported a bill championed by Sen. Jeff Bridges (D) and Sen. Shannon Bird (D) that allows schools and districts to further offer work-based learning opportunities outside of the classroom. Known as the Innovative Learning Opportunities Pilot Program, the program alleviates seat-time requirements for approved schools and districts that would otherwise hinder their ability to offer work-based learning opportunities. The Colorado Department of Education released the first grantees last week:
- Jefferson Academy High School
- Lewis-Palmer School District
- Mountain Valley School District RE-1
- Pueblo County District 70
- The Academy
- Weld RE-8 School District
Through numerous convenings with key stakeholders, Colorado Succeeds identified a challenge with creating a robust work-based learning program and how schools are funding by counting the actual hours students spend in buildings. Outlined barriers like seat-time requirements were also published in a series of papers, available here.
