Robert Hammond testified today. He’s commissioner of education in Colorado and oversees the Colorado Department of Education. He was appointed in May, 2011.
He said:
- The department (CDE) is under-staffed.
- He first learned of Lobato vs. Colorado lawsuit when he worked for Boulder Valley School District.
- He supported lawsuit when he was with Boulder Valley School District, but does not now.
- Some districts are in better places than others. It’s tough at the state level and it’s tough for superintendents.
- Our business is about students achieving.
- Supports state board of education mission…all children will become educated and productive citizens.
- Supports 2011 legislative priorities around improving funding for schools.
- Had to cut back on positions to reach rural districts, due to misuse of federal funds.
- Only two regional reps for CDE now; used to be 9.
- Study of rural districts presented to state board recommended organizing a rural council to support rural needs.
- But no such council has been organized.
- Rural study showed rural superintendents feeling disconnected from reforms.
- Rural study showed 1.5 employees needed in every district just to manage reports for CDE.
- Rural study said it’s “sheer folly” to think two people can provide all the necessary support to rural districts.
- Asked legislature to not pass laws that require “gifts, grants and donations” because CDE staff can’t manage any more without funding.
- Private resources being sought now to help with work, including foundations.
- Nearly 400,000 students in Colorado below proficiency on CSAP.
- CAP4K (Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids) implementation takes resources for state agency and local districts.
- CDE did not do any fiscal analysis of S.B. 191 (educator effectiveness) bill.
- CDE presentation to state fiscal stability committee in 2009 said schools need an additional $2.8 billion.
- Does not know how state school funding levels are set.
- CAP4K implementation estimates have ranged up to $80 million.
- Developing and launching new assessment system at one time thought to cost up to $80 million.
- Cost of launching a new standards system would be “substantial,” perhaps five times current level of effort.
- Does not know how new student assessment will be funded.
- If school districts don’t have the ability to develop new curriculum, that’s a local district matter.
- State does not develop curriculum.
- Local districts are asking for assistance to implement reforms, including standards.
- Primary source of implementation for S.B. 191 is gifts, grants and donations.
- So far, $9.7 million collected—but seven or eight times as much might be needed.
- Colorado Legacy Foundation is overseeing 10 district pilots under S.B. 191.
- Those 10 districts report to the Legacy Foundation if they are having an issue or concern.
- There is a long list of legislation that relies on gifts, grants and donations.
- Different districts have different abilities to raise local resources to support their schools.
- Districts in San Luis Valley have three times the level of free-and reduced-lunch eligible students as districts accredited with distinction.
- The districts accredited with distinction have much higher property value than those in San Luis Valley.
- There is an economic impact for students who don’t receive an appropriate education and dropout of school.
- Student achievement is not where it should be.
- We all want our students college and career ready.
- New estimates suggest new assessment will cost only $24 or $25 million.
