Remarks

Henry Sobanet, Director, Governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting

Governor Gaston Caperton, President, The College Board

Governor Roy Romer, Former Governor of Colorado, Former Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, and Senior Advisor, The College Board

Moderated Panel Discussion

• David Longanecker, President, WICHE
• Linda Barker, Director of Teaching and Learning, Colorado Education Association
• Jill Barkin, Vice President, JP Morgan Chase and Board Member, Colorado Succeeds
• Julie Davis Bell, Education Program Director, NCSL
• Tom Boasberg, Superintendent of Denver Public Schools
• Paul Lingenfelter, President, SHEEO
• Nancy McCallin, President Colorado Community College System
• Nancy Todd, Representative, State of Colorado
• Diana Sirko, Deputy Commissioner of Learning and Results, Colorado Department of Education

Collaborating Organizations

National Conference of State Legislatures
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education

Quotes

“As a new economic landscape comes slowly into focus, it is becoming clear that a college degree is more than ever a passport to opportunity and success. That’s why it is absolutely critical for us to reach our 55 by 25 goal and ensure that the United States is the world leader in education for yet another century.”  Gaston Caperton

“There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that for our citizens and nation to stay globally competitive, we must increase the number of adults with postsecondary credentials. That starts with excellent early learning options, a strong K-12 system, and Colorado’s continued focus on the collaboration between P-12 and higher education, working together to provide all the skills and tools necessary for our children’s success in the future.” Diana Sirko

“Much of the energy devoted recently to increasing the success of college students, as defined by completing college, has focused on the need of America for more graduates to remain globally competitive. And, indeed, that is very important.  But equal important is the value to each of those individuals who does graduate.  On average they will be wealthier, healthier, happier, and more engaged in their community.  We owe it to them to give them that quality of life.” David Longanecker

“All around the country, state legislators are focused on designing strategies that can improve college completion.  They are doing this in an extraordinarily difficult fiscal environment – but they know that education is an important investment in their state's future. …Colorado has been a leader in designing creative approaches to these problems.” Julie Davis Bell

March 16th
College Completion Agenda: A Response to the "Colorado Paradox”

Colorado State Capitol Building
House Committee Room 0112
200 East Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80203 
7:30 – 9:00 a.m.

John Lee, Policy Director of the Advocacy & Policy Center at the College Board, Terry Whitney, Director of Government Relations, Western Region, at the College Board and the National Conference of State Legislators delivered a briefing before the Colorado Joint Education Committee of the state house and senate on the College Completion Agenda Progress Report and the State Policy Guide.  The briefing highlighted data and sample policies that may help address the “Colorado Paradox.” The “Colorado Paradox” addresses Colorado’s postsecondary production dilemma, where despite having one of the most highly educated populations in the nation, the state has consistently underperformed in sending students who grow up in Colorado to college.

The Colorado Joint House and Senate Education Committee considers matters concerning K-12 public schools, including public school accountability and school finance, and higher education, including administration and governance, tuition and financial assistance.  In addition, the committee has legislative oversight responsibility for the departments of Education and Higher Education.

Speakers included

• John Lee, Policy Director, Advocacy & Policy Center, The College Board
• Terry Whitney, Director of Government Relations, Western Region, The College Board
• National Conference of State Legislatures Representative

Colorado Highlights

In 2010, Colorado enacted legislation to gather data to track the effectiveness of educator training programs.

Colorado has established processes for creating innovation or empowerment zones to give approved schools greater control over curriculum, personnel, scheduling, budget and delivery of services, in exchange for greater accountability.

Colorado requires a specific percentage of teacher and principal evaluations to be based on student academic growth.

Colorado includes both principals and teachers in their educator identifier, providing the opportunity to study the effectiveness of principal preparation programs, inform professional development and evaluate principals.

Colorado has created statewide leadership academies to prepare and support effective school leaders.