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HB 25-1278

Education Accountability System

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Shannon Bird and 23 co-sponsors

House Bill 25-1278 modernizes Colorado's education accountability by improving assessments, enhancing equity for students, and increasing transparency in school performance.

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Bill Summary · HB 25-1278

Summary of House Bill 25-1278: Education Accountability System

Bill Number: HB 25-1278
Title: Education Accountability System
Status: Signed into Law by the Governor on May 23, 2025
Introduced: February 20, 2025

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 25-1278 aims to enhance the education accountability system in Colorado by implementing recommendations from the Accountability, Accreditation, Student Performance, and Resource Inequity Task Force. The bill seeks to improve educational outcomes for K-12 students by addressing inequities, modernizing assessments, and increasing transparency in the accountability process.

Key Provisions

The bill introduces several significant changes to state assessments and accountability measures:

1. Assessment Modifications

  • Shorter Assessments: The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is required to collaborate with local education providers (LEPs) to divide state assessments into shorter sections with age-appropriate time frames, particularly for students with disabilities.
  • Language Accessibility: The CDE must develop assessments in languages other than English and Spanish upon request from LEPs, ensuring that assessments are accessible to English language learners.
  • Spanish Language Tests: The administration of language arts tests in Spanish will be expanded to include grades five through eight when a sufficient number of English language learners are present.

2. Performance Indicators

  • The bill modifies how performance indicators are measured, introducing five new sub-indicators for postsecondary and workforce readiness starting in the 2027-28 school year, including graduation rates and dropout rates.

3. Accountability Dashboard

  • By November 1, 2026, the CDE must gather stakeholder input to create a statewide education accountability dashboard, which will visually report data on school performance and student participation in assessments.

4. Continuous Improvement Planning

  • The CDE is tasked with evaluating early indicators of distress in school districts and providing ongoing support for those on priority improvement or turnaround plans. Local education providers must develop multi-year pathway plans for improvement.

5. Accreditation with Distinction

  • The State Board of Education will adopt rules to incorporate additional metrics for determining if a school or district may be accredited with distinction, including student participation rates in state tests.

6. Elimination of Local Accountability Grant Program

  • The bill eliminates the Local Accountability Grant Program and associated funding, reallocating resources to support the new accountability measures.

Fiscal Impact

  • Current Year (FY 2024-25): The bill reduces appropriations to the Colorado Department of Education by $81,000.
  • Budget Year (FY 2025-26): The bill increases appropriations by a net of $182,260, with a significant portion allocated for the implementation of the new accountability measures.
  • Out Year (FY 2026-27): The projected spending is expected to decrease slightly.

Who is Affected?

This legislation impacts:
- Students: Particularly those with disabilities and English language learners, by providing more accessible assessments.
- Local Education Providers: Schools and districts will need to adapt to new accountability measures and reporting requirements.
- State Education System: The CDE will have increased responsibilities for oversight and support.

Conclusion

House Bill 25-1278 represents a significant step toward modernizing Colorado's education accountability system, aiming to create a more equitable and effective framework for assessing student performance and supporting school improvement. The bill's implementation will require collaboration among various stakeholders in the education sector to ensure its success.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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