This week, the Colorado Department of Education released the financial study required by HB24-1364, legislation that Colorado Succeeds supported in moving forward the recommendations of the 1215 Task Force.
The financial study orients around the state’s programs that support high school students in acquiring what is frequently being referred to as the “Big Three” postsecondary and workforce readiness outcomes: postsecondary credit, industry-recognized credentials, and work-based learning experiences.
Five big takeaways from this new report:
We need to orient around the “Big Three” and not specific programs.
As written about last month, at the end of the day, what matters to students is how experiences in high school will help them after they graduate. For districts, offering the Big Three will be significantly easier in a streamlined program versus the current 10+ programs.
There are many opportunities to be more efficient with our existing funds.
The report details how much money could be available to fund equitable expansion of the Big Three if we reassess how we are currently allocating money within programs like CDIP and ASCENT. As the state will increasingly face tight budget years, the report gives us direction on how we can reallocate to support students towards economic mobility.
We face significant equity challenges, but they aren’t insurmountable.
The report provides suggestions for how we can increase equity by acknowledging the specific financial and logistical challenges for many schools and districts throughout the state.
Our continued focus on a State Longitudinal Data System is still needed
By improving what data we collect and how it is analyzed, we can identify gaps, measure effectiveness, and make informed decisions to ensure every student has access to opportunities that lead to economic mobility.
The 1215 Task Force recommendations will continue to be relevant until we address them.
We need to create funding predictability, alleviate administrative burdens, and acknowledge equity gaps.
Thank you to everyone across the state who contributed to the report. As Colorado Succeeds continues its commitment to moving the 1215 Task Force recommendations forward, this detailed financial analysis will play a key role in understanding and advocating for future legislative changes. The recommendations in this report affirm how critical the work ahead is in increasing access for every Colorado learner has access to these “Big Three,” and we look forward to continuing our partnership with key stakeholders on their implementation.
