.png){kind=logo}
DENVER, CO – The House Education Committee passed two bills today. HB26-1016 would save college students and professors money on education materials, and HB26-1027 would address school staffing shortages in rural or smaller school districts.
“Our bill saves college students and instructors money by making high-quality education materials, such as textbooks, available and easily accessible at no cost,” said Rep. Jacque Phillips, D-Thornton, sponsor of HB26-1016. “This legislation ensures the state develops and implements open educational resources to reduce barriers to a well-rounded education and support our higher education professors and students alike.”
HB26-1016, also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, would help college students and professors access no-cost education materials, known as open education resources (OER). OERs include free and openly-licensed teaching, learning and research materials, such as textbooks and videos. OERs save students money, help reduce barriers to high-quality education and spur innovation. HB26-1016 passed committee by a vote of 11-2.
This bill continues the development and tracks the implementation of OERs in higher education institutions in Colorado, including the number of classes that use no-cost textbooks. The bill also expands the number of professionals on the open educational resources council, which helps develop Colorado’s OERs to include more librarians and professionals from higher education institutions.
“We’ve taken bold action under the gold dome to support our schools, teachers and students, especially those in rural and underserved districts,” said Rep. Tammy Story, D-Conifer, sponsor of HB26-1027. “This legislation allows Board of Cooperative Services (BOCES) executive directors to support our rural and smaller schools and address public education educator shortages without losing their retirement benefits. These retired administrators have specialized lived experience and wisdom, and this bill ensures they can continue to share their talents with Colorado students.”
“We’re looking at every avenue to support our rural schools and help address the educator shortage,” said Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango, sponsor of HB26-1027. “This bill makes it easier for retired BOCES executive directors to return to the classroom, without risking their retirement benefits. In rural communities like mine, it can be difficult to recruit and retain new school administrators, teachers, and support staff. This bill makes sure retired BOCES executive directors can re-enter the workforce and support their local schools.”
HB26-1027 would help support Colorado schools by allowing a retired Board of Cooperative Services (BOCES) executive director to re-enter the schools without losing their retirement benefits. Under this bill, BOCES executive directors would join a list of specific education-related positions, including teachers, paraprofessionals, food service professionals, and bus drivers, who can fill vacant positions in local schools without the risk of losing their Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) benefits. BOCES exist to support rural or smaller school districts in Colorado by allowing multiple school districts to combine resources and share staff. HB26-1027 passed committee by a vote of 13-0.