HOUSE PASSES BUENTELLO-KIPP BILL TO INCLUDE SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS IN GRADUATION RATES

Bill headed to Senate following 62-0 vote

(Feb. 5) – The House overwhelmingly approved Rep. Bri Buentello and Rep. Cathy Kipp’s bill to require Colorado schools to count students who are enrolled in special education and who complete the minimum graduation requirements in state-and-local high school graduation rates.

“Every student across Colorado deserves to be counted when they complete high school,” said Rep. Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo. “We shouldn’t punish school districts and this bill would allow for students like my son, who is on the autism spectrum, to be counted toward the graduation rate.”

Currently, special education students who have met the minimum graduation requirements, but who will continue receiving transition services in a district, do not count towards the school and district’s graduation rates until they leave the system.

“This straightforward bill will help school districts and students alike,” said Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “We will continue working to ensure our students and schools are given every opportunity to succeed.”

Rep. Kipp is a former member of the Poudre School District Board of Education.

HB19-1066 was approved on a vote of 62-0. The bill now goes to the Senate.