HB 17-1211

HB 17-1211 is a Colorado bill that establishes a pilot program aimed at providing professional development for educators, focusing on culturally responsive discipline methods and appropriate behavioral responses for students from preschool through third grade. The goal of this program is to reduce the use of exclusionary disciplinary actions like suspensions or expulsions. Schools can apply for grants funded by donations and grants to participate in this initiative. Since the bill has been signed into law, it means that the Department of Education and the State Board of Education will now work on implementing the pilot program as described.

Official Summary

The bill creates the discipline strategies pilot program (pilot program) to provide money to school districts, boards of cooperative services, and charter schools for professional development for educators in the use of culturally responsive methods of student discipline for students enrolled in preschool through third grade and developmentally appropriate responses to the behavioral issues of students enrolled in preschool through third grade. The department of education (department) and the state board of education (state board) must implement the pilot program by reviewing applications, awarding grants, and preparing a report concerning implementation of the pilot program, including its success in reducing the use of exclusionary discipline practices. The department must submit the report to the state board, the joint budget committee, and the education committees of the general assembly. The pilot program must be paid for exclusively with gifts, grants, and donations, and the department and the state board are not required to implement the pilot program in a year in which they do not receive a sufficient amount in gifts, grants, and donations. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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