Phase-Out of Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation Program

0 HOUSE BILL 26-1357

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Sirota and Taggart, Brown, Goldstein, Hamrick, Marshall, Paschal, Phillips, Rydin, Stewart K., McCluskie; also SENATOR(S) Amabile and Bridges, Kirkmeyer, Marchman.

CONCERNING PHASING OUT THE TEACHER RECRUITMENT EDUCATION AND PREPARATION PROGRAM, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, MAKING AND REDUCING AN APPROPRIATION.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-108.5, repeal (7); and add (9), (10), and (11) as follows: 22-35-108.5. Teacher recruitment education and preparation (TREP) program - objectives - selection criteria - rules - legislative declaration - definition - repeal. (7) On or before July 1, 2031, the department shall prepare and submit to the education committees of the senate and house of repr esentativ es, OI any successor committees, a report concerning the outcomes achieved by the TREP program and the eff-ecti'\i eness of the TREP program in meeting the objectives desciibed in section 22-35-108.5 (1).

Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material added to existing law; dashes through words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law and such material is not part of the act.

Based on the outcomes achieved and the evaluation of effectiveness, the departnrent shall include in the report a recommendation as to whether the TREP program should be continued, amended, or repealed. (9) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOT DESIGNATE A QUALIFIED STUDENT AS A TREP PROGRAM PARTICIPANT FOR THE 2027-28 STATE FISCAL YEAR OR FOR ANY STATE FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER. (10) (a) ON JULY 1, 2026, THE STATE TREASURER SHALL TRANSFER SEVEN HUNDRED NINETY-NINE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS FROM THE ELECTRIFYING SCHOOL BUSES GRANT PROGRAM CASH FUND, CREATED IN SECTION 25-7-1405 ( 1 ), TO THE STATE EDUCATION FUND.

(b) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS AND DECLARES THAT, FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 17 OF ARTICLE IX OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION, PROVIDING FUNDING FOR THE TREP PROGRAM IS A PROGRAM FOR ACCOUNTABLE EDUCATION REFORM AND A PROGRAM FOR PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES FOR TEACHERS AND THEREFORE MAY RECEIVE FUNDING FROM THE STATE EDUCATION FUND CREATED IN SECTION 17 ( 4) OF ARTICLE IX OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION. (11) THIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2027.

SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-54-103 .5, add (8)( d) as follows: 22-54-103.5. declaration - repeal.

District total program -

rules -

legislative

(8) District extended high school funding. (d) (I) NOTWITHSTANDING SUBSECTIONS (8)(a) AND (8)(b) OF THIS SECTION, FOR THE 2026-27 BUDGET YEAR, THE DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT IS MULTIPLIED BY THE NUMBER OF FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT STUDENTS INCLUDED IN THE DISTRICT'S HIGH SCHOOL PUPIL ENROLLMENT WHO ARE THE DISTRICT'S TREP PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS IS SEVEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FOUR DOLLARS ($7,104).

(II) THIS SUBSECTION (8)( d) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2027.

SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-54-104, add (4.7)(f) as follows: 22-54-104. District total program - legislative declaration definitions - repeal.

(4.7) (f) (I) NOTWITHSTANDING SUBSECTIONS (4.7)(a) AND (4.7)(d) OF THIS SECTION, FOR THE 2026-27 BUDGET YEAR, THE DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT IS MULTIPLIED BY THE NUMBER OF FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT STUDENTS INCLUDED IN THE DISTRICT'S HIGH SCHOOL PUPIL ENROLLMENT WHO ARE THE DISTRICT'S TREP PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS IS SEVEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FOUR DOLLARS ($7,104). (II) THIS SUBSECTION (4. 7)( t) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2027. SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-30.5-112.2, amend as it will become effective July 1, 2026, (2)(b); and repeal (l)(f) as follows: 22-30.5-112.2. Charter schools - at-risk supplemental aid legislative declaration - definitions - repeal.

(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (f) "TREP prngram" means the teaehet 1ecmitnrent education and preparation prngram created in section 22-35-108.5. (2) (b) (I) Each qualifying school district must receive at-risk supplemental aid if the percentage of at-risk pupils in a district charter school authorized by the qualifying school district prior to July 1, 2004, is less than the percentage of at-risk pupils in the qualifying school district. The amount of the school district's at-risk supplemental aid is equal to the difference between one hundred percent of district per pupil revenues and one hundred percent of adjusted district per pupil revenues for each pupil enrolled in the district charter school, not including online pupils. m pupils enrnHed in the TREP prngram. (II) Each district charter school in a qualifying school district that was initially authorized prior to July 1, 2004, must receive at-risk supplemental aid if the percentage of at-risk students in the district charter

school exceeds the percentage of at-risk pupils in the qualifying school district. The amount of the district charter school's at-risk supplemental aid is equal to the difference between one hundred percent of adjusted district per pupil revenues and one hundred percent of district per pupil revenues for each pupil enrolled in the district charter school, not including online pupils. or pupils emolled in the TREP program. A school district shall pass through one hundred percent of a district charter school's at-risk supplemental aid to the district charter school. (III) Each district chai1er school in a school district that is not a qualifying district and whose percentage of at-risk pupils exceeds the percentage of at-risk pupils in the chartering school district must receive at-risk supplemental aid. The amount of the district charter school's at-risk supplemental aid is equal to the difference between one hundred percent of adjusted district per pupil revenues and one hundred percent of district per pupil revenues for each pupil enrolled in the district charter school, not including online pupils. 01 pupils enrolled in the TREP progrnm. A school district shall pass through one hundred percent of a district charter school's at-risk supplemental aid to the district charter school.

SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-30.5-513, amend as it will become effective July 1, 2026, (4.5)(b) as follows: 22-30.5-513. Institute charter schools - funding - at-risk supplemental aid - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal. (4.5) (b) The institute charter school's at-risk supplemental aid is equal to one-half of the difference between one hundred percent of the accounting district's per pupil revenues and one hundred percent of the accounting district's adjusted per pupil revenues for each pupil enrolled in the district charter school, not including online pupils. or pupils enrolled in the TREP progrnm.

SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-30.5-525, amend (1) as follows: 22-30.5-525. Individual career and academic plans. ( 1) Each institute charter school shall assist each student and the student's parent or legal guardian to develop and maintain the student's

individual career and academic plan, referred to in this section as an "ICAP", no later than the beginning of ninth grade but may assist the student and the student's parent or legal guardian to develop and maintain the student's ICAP in any grade prior to ninth grade. In assisting a student and his or her parent or legal guardian in creating and maintaining the ICAP, the institute charter school shall, at a minimum, discuss with the student and parent or legal guardian the various career pathways created pursuant to sections 23-60-110 and 24-46.3-104 and the types of ce1tificates and jobs to which each pathway leads and discuss the skills and educational opportunities available through military enlistment. In discussing the teaching career pathway described in section 23-60-110, eaeh institute charter school is encomaged to provide to the student information eoneer ning the TREP pt ogr am ct eated in section 22-3 5-108:5-:- In discussing military enlistment with a student and the student's parent, each institute charter school is encouraged to provide to the student information concerning the military enlistment test. Each student's ICAP must comply with the requirements specified in section 22-2-136 and the rules promulgated by the state board of education pursuant to said section. As part of the process of establishing the individual career and academic plan, the student and the student's parents must be made aware of the importance of completing the free application for federal student aid or the Colorado application for state financial aid, or successor forms for accessing federal and state financial aid, and be provided help in completing the forms, if requested.

SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-32-109, amend (l)(oo)(IIl)(B.5) as follows: 22-32-109. Board of education - specific duties - definitions. (1) In addition to any other duty required to be performed by law, each board of education has the following specific duties: (oo) (111) At a minimum, each public school shall ensure that, in developing and maintaining each student's ICAP, the counselor or teacher explains to the student's parent or legal guardian, by electronic mail or other written form, and to the student: (B.5) The teaching career pathway created pursuant to section 23-60-110 AND the career opportunities to which the pathway leads; and

infmmation concerning participation in the TREP program created in section 22-35-108-5;

SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-103, repeal (18) as follows: 22-35-103. Definitions - repeal. As used in this article 35, unless the context otherwise requires: (18) "TREP program" means the teacher recmitment education and preparation program created in section 22-35-108.5.

SECTION 9. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-104, amend as it will become effective July 1, 2026, (l)(d) introductory portion as follows: 22-35-104. Enrollment in an institution of higher education cooperative agreement. (1) (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (l)(a) of this section, if a qualified student is not a participant in the TREP program and has not satisfied the minimum requirements for graduation established by the qualified student's local education provider by the end of their twelfth-grade year and is therefore retained by the local education provider for additional instruction, the qualified student must not concurrently enroll in postsecondary courses, including academic or career and technical education courses, that may include coursework related to apprenticeship programs or internship programs, that are worth more than a total of nine credit hours, including gateway courses, as defined in section 23-1-113 ( 11 )(b.5), with additional supports through supplemental academic instruction, as defined in section 23-1-113 (11 )( e). Furthermore, the qualified student must not concurrently enroll in more than:

SECTION 10. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-107, repeal as it will become effective July 1, 2026, (6)(a) as follows: 22-35-107. Concurrent enrollment advisory board - created membership - duties - reports - repeal.

(6) The board has the following duties: (a) Establishing guidelines fut the administ1 ation of the TREP prngrnm pursuant to seetion 22-35-108.5 (4),

SECTION 11. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-110, amend (1) as follows: 22-35-110. Exclusions. ( 1) Exeept fut eou1 ses offered as part of the TREP prngrnm put suant to seetion 22-35-108.5, This article 35 does not apply to any course that is offered as part of a program of off-campus instruction established pursuant to section 23-1-109 (1) to (5).

SECTION 12. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-113, amend as it will become effective July 1, 2026, (l)(a) as follows: 22-35-113. Concurrent enrollment - website. ( 1) By July 1, 2020, the department of education and the department of higher education, with advice from the state board, shall make available to the public a concurrent enrollment website to provide information to students, parents, and legal guardians concerning concurrent enrollment options and requirements. The departments must ensure that the website is clear, easy to navigate, and generally user-friendly. In addition, the website must, at a minimum: (a) Clearly explain, differentiate, compare, and contrast concurrent enrollment; dual enrollment programs; early college; the TREP prngrnm, p-tech high schools, as defined in section 22-3 5.3-102; international baccalaureate programs; and advanced placement courses;

SECTION 13. In Colorado Revised Statutes, repeal 22-35-116. SECTION 14. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35.3-103, amend as it will become effective July 1, 2026, (4) as follows: 22-35.3-103. Pathways in technology early college high schools - design - requirements - approval.

(4) A p-tech school is subject to the state assessment requirements specified in section 22-7-1006.3 and the accountability requirements specified in article 11 of this title 22. In addition, the commissioner and the executive director may establish indicators for measuring the performance of each p-tech school, which indicators may include the ability of students who graduate from a p-tech school to obtain employment in the field or to pursue additional postsecondary education in the field, as well as any relevant performance indicators established for the concurrent enrollment and TREP prngrams PROGRAM.

SECTION 15. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-54-103, amend as it will become effective July 1, 2026, (5.2); and repeal (16) as follows: 22-54-103. Definitions - repeal. As used in this article 54, unless the context otherwise requires: (5.2) "District extended high school pupil enrollment" means the number of pupils, on the pupil enrollment count day within the applicable budget year, who are concurrently enrolled in a postsecondary course, including an academic course or a career and technical education course, as a participant in the TREP prngram and the number of pupils, on the pupil enrollment count day within the applicable budget year, who are enrolled in grade thirteen or fourteen in a p-tech school. A pupil enrolled in a p-tech school pursuant to article 35.3 of this title 22 must be included in the district extended high school pupil enrollment as a full-time student. A TREP prngram participant who is enrnllcd in at least twelve credit homs of postsecondary com scs, including academic com scs and car ccr and technical education com ses, as of the pupil enr ollmcnt count day of the applicable budget year must be included in the district extended high school pupil enrnllment as a fuH-tiine pupil. A TREP prngram participant who is enrolled in less than twelve credit hours ofpostsecondary com scs, including academic com scs and car ccr and technical education com scs, as of the pupil em ollment count day of the applicable budget y car must be included in the district extended high school pupil cmoHmcnt as a part-time pupil. ( 16) "TREP prngram" means the teacher r ccmitmcnt education and preparation prngram created in section 22-35-108.5.

SECTION 16. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-54-205, amend

(2)(a) as follows:

22-54-205. Sustain funding - rules - repeal. (2) (a) A local education provider is eligible to receive reimbursement for students who, in the preceding budget year, successfully satisfied postsecondary credit, received an industry-recognized credential, or satisfied work-based learning requirements as specified by state board rule. A local education provider is eligible to receive multiple reimbursements for one student. A local education provider is eligible for reimbursement for students who are enrolled in a p-tech school. or partieipati11g in a TREP pr ogr ani.

SECTION 17. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-60.5-209 .1, repeal (l)(a)(I) as follows: 22-60.5-209.1. Department of education - adjunct instructor authorization - alternative teacher programs - information. ( 1) (a) The department shall direct resources toward publicizing the existence of: (I) The teacher I ect uitment education and pt epar ation pt ogr am established in section 22-35-108.5,

APPROPRIATION FROM ITEM& SUBTOTAL

TOTAL $

CASH FUNDS

GENERAL FUND $

REAPPROPRIATED FUNDS $

FEDERAL FUNDS $

SECTION 18. Appropriation to the department of education for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. Amend as added by House Bill 26-1410 section 2, Part IV (3)(A), the affected totals, and footnote 13 as follows:

Section 2. Appropriation. PARTIV DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

(3) SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATIO NS (A) Public School Finance

Administration

Financial Transparency System Maintenance

(17.l FTE)

(l.5 FTE)

(1.0 FTE) School Finance Audit Payments State Share of Districts' Total Program Funding

3,QQQ,QQQb

PAGE IO-HOUSE BILL 26-1357

4,318,686,861 C

1,248,748,634" I ,248, 799,272d

APPROPRIATION FROM ITEM& SUBTOTAL $

Extended High Schoo! 13

TOTAL

CASH FUNDS

GENERAL FUND $

10,000b

At-risk Supplemental Aid

Contingency Reserve Fund

District Per Pupil Reimbursements for Juveniles Held in Jail

REAPPROPRIATED FUNDS

FEDERAL FUNDS $

• These amounts shall be from the State Education Fund created in Section 17 (4)(a) of Article IX of the State Constitution. Pursuant to Section 17 (3) of Article IX of the State Constitution, appropriations from the State Education Fund are not subject to the limitation on fiscal year spending set forth in Section 20 of Article X of the State Constitution. b These amounts shall be from the State Public School Fund created in Section 22-54-114 (I), C.R.S., from federal mineral leasing revenues transferred to the State Public School Fund pursuant to Sections 22-54-114 (1) and 34-63-102 (5.4)(a)(Il), C.R.S. c Of this amount, $1,334,183,145 shall be from the General Fund Exempt Account created in Section 24-77-103.6 (2), C.R.S.

APPROPRIATION FROM ITEM& SUBTOTAL $

TOTAL

GENERAL FUND $

CASH FUNDS $

REAPPROPRIA TED FUNDS $

FEDERAL FUNDS $

d Of this amount, $1,010,525,540 $1,010,576,178 shall be from the State Education Fund created in Section 17 (4)(a) of Article IX of the State Constitution and $238,223,094 shall be from the State Public School Fund created in Section 22-54-114 (1), C.R.S. Of the amount appropriated from the State Education Fund, an estimated $213,273,564 is from the Kids Matter Account created in the State Education Fund pursuant to Section 22-55-103 (6)(b ), C.R.S. Pursuant to Section 17 (3) of Article IX of the State Constitution, appropriations from the portion of the State Education Fund that is not the Kids Matter Account are not subject to the limitation on fiscal year spending set forth in Section 20 of Article X of the State Constitution. • This amount shall be from the Contingency Reserve Fund created in Section 22-54-117 (l)(a), C.R.S.

TOTALS PART IV

(EDUCATION)

$2,371,461,0} 01$2,37o,6o7,398b

• Of this amount, $1,334,181,145 shall be from the General Fund Exempt Account created in Section 24-77-103.6 (2), C.R.S. b

Of this amount, $10,123,822 contains an (I) notation.

c Of this amount, $43,900,000 contains an (I) notation.

d This amount contains an (I) notation. FOOTNOTES -- The following statements are referenced to the numbered footnotes throughout section 2.

$56,340,311 C

$850,034, 768d

APPROPRIATION FROM ITEM& SUBTOTAL $

TOTAL $

GENERAL FUND $

CASH FUNDS $

REAPPROPRIA TED FUNDS

FEDERAL FUNDS

Department of Education, School District Operations, Public School Finance, Extended High School -- Pursuant to Section 22-35-I08.5 (2)(b)(III), C.R.S., the purpose of this footnote is to specify what portion of this appropriation is intended to be available for the Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) Program for FY 2026-27. It is the General Assembly's intent that the Department of Education be authorized to utilize up to $2,689,259 $ i, 776,000 of this appropriation to fund qualified students identified as TREP Program participants. This amount is calculated based on an estimated 250 FTE TREP Program participants funded at a rate of$19,721 $7,104 per FTE pursuant to Section 22-54-I03.5 (8), C.R.S., and Section 22-54-I04 (4.7), C.R.S.

APPROPRIATION FROM ITEM& SUBTOTAL

TOTAL $

GENERAL FUND

CASH FUNDS $

REAPPROPRIA TED FUNDS $

FEDERAL FUNDS $

SECTION 19. Appropriation to the department of education for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. Amend as added by House Bill 26-1410 section 2, Part IV (3)(A), the affected totals, and footnote 13 as follows:

Section 2. Appropriation. PARTIV DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

(3) SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATIO NS (A) Public School Finance

Administration

Financial Transparency System Maintenance

(17.1 FTE)

(1.5 FTE)

97,73 l8 (1.0 FTE)

School Finance Audit Payments

State Share of Districts' Total Program Funding

3,000,000b

4,318,686,861 C

1,248,748,634" l ,257,852,905d

APPROPRIATION FROM ITEM& SUBTOTAL $

Extended High School 13

GENERAL FUND

TOTAL $

CASH FUNDS $

10,000b

At-risk Supplemental Aid

Contingency Reserve Fund

District Per Pupil Reimbursements for Juveniles Held in Jail

REAPPROPRIA TED FUNDS

FEDERAL FUNDS $

• These amounts shall be from the State Education Fund created in Section 17 (4)(a) of Article IX of the State Constitution. Pursuant to Section 17 (3) of Article IX of the State Constitution, appropriations from the State Education Fund are not subject to the limitation on fiscal year spending set forth in Section 20 of Article X of the State Constitution. b These amounts shall be from the State Public School Fund created in Section 22-54-114 (I), C.R.S., from federal mineral leasing revenues transferred to the State Public School Fund pursuant to Sections 22-54-114 (I) and 34-63-102 (5.4)(a)(II), C.R.S. 0

Of this amount, $1,334,183,145 shall be from the General Fund Exempt Account created in Section 24-77-103.6 (2), C.R.S.

d Of this amount, $1,010,525,540 $1,019,629,811 shall be from the State Education Fund created in Section 17 (4)(a) of Article IX of the State Constitution and $238,223,094 shall be

from the State Public School Fund created in Section 22-54-114 (1), C.R.S. Of the amount appropriated from the State Education Fund, an estimated $213,273,564 is from the Kids Matter Account created in the State Education Fund pursuant to Section 22-55-103 (6)(b ), C.R.S. Pursuant to Section 17 (3) of Article IX of the State Constitution, appropriations from the portion of the State Education Fund that is not the Kids Matter Account are not subject to the limitation on fiscal year spending set forth in Section 20 of Article X of the State Constitution.

APPROPRIATION FROM ITEM& SUBTOTAL $

GENERAL FUND

TOTAL $

CASH FUNDS

REAPPROPRIA TED FUNDS $

FEDERAL FUNDS $

• This amount shall be from the Contingency Reserve Fund created in Section 22-54-117 (I )(a), C.R.S.

TOTALS PART IV

(EDUCATION)

$2,J7},46},0l9b

$56,340,311 C

$850,034, 768d

$2,379,662,472b

• Of this amount, $1,334,181,145 shall be from the General Fund Exempt Account created in Section 24-77-103.6 (2), C.R.S. b Of this amount, $10,123,822 contains an (I) notation. 0

Of this amount, $43,900,000 contains an (I) notation.

d This amount contains an (I) notation. FOOTNOTES -- The following statements are referenced to the numbered footnotes throughout section 2.

Department of Education, School District Operations, Public School Finance, Extended High School -- Pursuant to Section 22-35-108.5 (2)(b)(III), C.R.S., the purpose of this footnote is to specify what portion of this appropriation is intended to be available for the Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) Program for FY 2026-27. It is the General Assembly's intent that the Department of Education be authorized to utilize up to $2,680,250 $1,776,000 of this appropriation to fund qualified students identified as TREP Program participants. This amount is calculated based on an estimated 250 FTE TREP Program participants funded at a rate of$10,721 $7,104 per FTE pursuant to Section 22-54-103.5 (8), C.R.S., and Section 22-54-104 (4.7), C.R.S.

SECTION 20. Effective date. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, this act takes effect upon passage. (2) Sections 4 to 17 of this act take effect July 1, 2027. (3) Section 18 of this act takes effect only if House Bill 26-1410 becomes law and House Bill 26-1364 does not become law, in which case section 18 takes effect upon the effective date of this act or House Bill 26-1410, whichever is later. (4) Section 19 of this act takes effect only if House Bill 26-1364 and House Bill 26-1410 become law in which case section 19 takes effect upon the effective date of this act, House Bill 26-1364, or House Bill 26-1410, whichever is later.

SECTION 21. Safety clause. The general assembly finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for

the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state institutions.

Julie McCluskie SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

James Rashad Coleman, Sr. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

Vanessa Reilly CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Esther van Mourik SECRETARY OF THE SENATE

APPROVED on Thursday June 4th 2026 at 12:30pm (Date and Time)

Jared S. Polis GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO