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Bill

Bill

SM 1

High-Stakes Standardized Testing

2026 Regular Session

Colorado legislation establishes high-stakes standardized testing requirements affecting student advancement, school accountability, and resource allocation statewide.

Senate Third Reading Laid Over to 05/14/2026 - No Amendments
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Bill Summary · SM 1

Legislative bill overview

Bill SM 1 establishes or modifies high-stakes standardized testing requirements in Colorado schools. Based on the legislative timeline, the bill has advanced through initial introduction and is currently pending third reading in the Senate as of April 2026.

Why is this important

Standardized testing significantly affects student advancement, school funding allocations, teacher evaluations, and educational policy direction. The outcomes of this bill will determine testing frequency, consequences for performance, and accountability measures that impact millions of Colorado students and thousands of educators.

Potential points of contention

  • Test burden vs. accountability trade-off: Expanded testing may increase instructional time spent on test preparation versus other learning activities, while proponents argue robust testing ensures educational quality and equity
  • Socioeconomic disparities: High-stakes testing can disproportionately affect disadvantaged students with fewer tutoring resources, potentially widening achievement gaps rather than closing them
  • Teacher and administrator autonomy: Increased standardized testing requirements may limit local school districts' flexibility in curriculum design and instructional methods based on community needs

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

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