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SB 25-222

Repeal Proficiency Tests Administered by Schools

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Judy Amabile and 6 co-sponsors

SB 25-222 repeals the state framework and funding for district-administered special proficiency tests for grades 9–12, eliminating reimbursements and optional score portfolios.

Governor Signed
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Bill Summary · SB 25-222

Summary — SB 25-222: Repeal Proficiency Tests Administered by Schools

Status: Governor signed (effective April 24, 2025)
Introduced: March 31, 2025
Primary sponsors: Senators Jeff Bridges, Judy Amabile; Representatives Emily Sirota, Rick Taggart (with additional cosponsors listed)

Purpose / Intent

SB 25-222 repeals statutory authority for certain special proficiency (developmental education placement/assessment) tests administered by school districts for students in grades 9–12 and removes the related state-level funding/reimbursement requirement. The bill is intended to remove an unused statutory testing requirement and reduce a small, unused appropriation.

Key provisions

  • Repeal: Section 22-32-109.5 of the Colorado Revised Statutes is repealed, removing the statutory framework for special proficiency tests administered by school districts.
  • Department funding/allocations: The bill amends 22-2-112 to eliminate the state requirement (and related appropriation) to allocate money to school districts, district charter schools, and institute charter schools to reimburse costs of administering the repealed proficiency tests.
  • Individual Career & Academic Plans: The requirement that student portfolios include a student’s scores on those developmental placement/assessment tests is revised to be conditional — included only for districts/charters that choose to administer the tests.
  • Appropriation adjustment: The FY 2025–26 Long Bill appropriation to the Department of Education from the State Education Fund (for career pathways/basic skills placement or assessment tests) is decreased by $50,000.

Fiscal and operational impacts

  • State Education Fund / Department of Education: Reduction in appropriations of $50,000 annually beginning FY 2025–26. The final fiscal notes show ongoing savings of $50,000 per year and no change to TABOR refunds or state FTE.
  • School districts: Reduced administrative workload related to these special proficiency tests.
  • Background: The funding mechanism was originally authorized by HB 12-1345 but has not been used in more than seven years.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Legislative course: Introduced in Senate 3/31/2025; passed both chambers without amendment in early April 2025; transmitted to Governor 4/17/2025; signed 4/24/2025.
  • Effective date: April 24, 2025.
  • Fiscal documentation: Final and initial Legislative Council Staff fiscal notes and Joint Budget Committee analyses accompany the bill and reflect the $50,000 appropriation reduction.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Colorado Department of Education (appropriation reduced) and local school districts/charter schools (no longer required to administer/reimburse special proficiency tests).
  • Secondary: State Education Fund balances increase modestly by the eliminated appropriation.

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

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