Press Release - CAP4K
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2008
CONTACT
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER, LAWMAKERS & EDUCATION LEADERS INTRODUCE BOLD EDUCATION-REFORM LEGISLATION
Joined by bipartisan bill sponsors and Colorado's education leaders, Gov. Bill Ritter today announced the introduction of landmark education-reform legislation, the Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids.
The bill calls for a complete redesign and realignment of Colorado's educational systems from pre-school to college. It would mesh rigorous course content standards with meaningful proficiency assessments with standardized college admission requirements.
"It's time to push hard against the status quo and create a bold new vision for education in Colorado," Gov. Ritter said. "It's a vision that assumes every Colorado student deserves the opportunity to live up to his or her God-given potential. It's a vision that allows us to thoroughly prepare every Colorado student for college or the 21st century workforce. And it's a vision that creates a seamless education system from pre-school to college."
The Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids (CAP4K), is co-sponsored by Sens. Chris Romer, D-Denver, and Josh Penry, R-Fruita, and Reps. Christine Scanlan, D-Dillon, and Rob Witwer, R-Genessee. The complete bill is available by clicking here.
The bill would:
"There are thousands of dedicated, hard-working educators all across Colorado. I applaud and honor every single one of them," Gov. Ritter said. "But our high school dropout rates are too high. Too many college freshmen require remedial training, and too many college students drop out before getting their diplomas.
"I know we can do better," the Governor added. "This bill puts every student on a track to postsecondary education, if that's their chosen path. And not just one path, but multiple pathways to college and career. It moves away from an emphasis on 'seat time' and instead focuses on student learning.
"The bill requires unprecedented collaboration between the State Board of Education and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to create a seamless system of public education, standards and expectations. It also honors the historic partnership between the state and local school districts.
"We absolutely are not backing off of rigor or accountability. Rather, we are encouraging more thoughtful and meaningful accountability while giving educators the confidence to be innovative, to try new things, and to help every student climb the rungs to success in the 21st century.
"I am not asking educators to change what's already working, or to create a one-size-fits-all solution. I am asking that we as a state commit to doing all we can to ensure that every kid can graduate from high school and move confidently toward achieving his or her dreams.
"Our children deserve nothing less than a world-class education. And Colorado deserves nothing less then the best-trained and best-educated workforce in the world."
Additional elements of the Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids legislation::
Tasks the State Board of Education and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education with establishing definitions of school readiness and postsecondary and workforce readiness.
Expands and refines Colorado's instructional standards from kindergarten to the first year of college.
Requires the development of school readiness assessments and modifications to the existing assessment system to align with postsecondary and workforce readiness standards.
Amends CCHE admission & remediation policies to permit students to qualify for college admission by demonstrated proficiency, and not by seat time or course titles alone.