Summary

SB 213 (Open States or Colorado Legislature) was a wide-reaching education reform bill that sought to restructure the state’s education funding system. It would have equalized online program funding with the statewide base per pupil funding, considered on-line students when calculating charter school funding, and established the Education Innovation Grant Program to fund innovative initiatives. Though signed into law by Governor Hickenlooper, an amendment required to fund the law was rejected in a statewide vote.

Legislative Analysis

SB 213 sought to restructure the state’s education funding system and provide greater support for early-childhood education, at-risk students, English-language learners, charter schools, educator effectiveness programs, and other locally determined innovations. Though signed into law by Governor Hickenlooper, in order for the law to take effect, Colorado voters had to approve its funding through a vote on Amendment 66. On November 5, 2013, 65% voted against the amendment and it was defeated.

The law would have raised the level of funding for students in on-line programs to be equal to the statewide base per pupil funding. It also would have taken on-line students into consideration when calculating funding for charter schools.

SB 213 also would have established the Education Innovation Grant Program, where educators, districts, BOCES (Boards of Cooperative (Educational) Services, and charter schools could apply for grants to fund innovative initiatives, with a focus on eliminating achievement and growth gaps, improving student retention, reducing dropout rates, and increasing graduation rates.

This legislation promoted digital learning by increasing financial support for on-line programs and promoting innovative initiatives that may include elements of digital learning.  SB 213 unfortunately lacked bipartisanship in its passage, as the Democrat minority rejected attempts to tie funds to performance, give charter schools full funding parity and failed to sway a single Republican vote.

Although it passed and was signed by the governor, SB 213 only goes into effect only if voters approve a finance mechanism before November 2017. While Amendment 66, which would have provided that finance mechanism, failed in Nov. 2013, it will be worth watching to see if the Colorado legislature will look to alternative means to fund some, if not all, of SB 213.

Legislative History

Detailed Vote History: Legiscan |  Open States

Approved by Governor John Hickenlooper on 5/21/2013