FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2021
Public education becomes a priority again in the 2021 Legislative Session
Educator-led advocacy and victories under the dome
DENVER – With the 2021 Legislative Session coming to a close, the 39,000 members of the Colorado Education Association played a key role in advancing consequential legislation this session. From the passage of House Bill (HB) 21-1161, Suspend Statewide Assessments for Select Grades to Senate Bill (SB) 21-172, the Educator Pay Raise Fund to HB21-1294, K-12 Education Accountability Systems Performance Audit, CEA’s priorities this session were grounded in improving the lives of students and educators.
“This year, the 39,000 members of the Colorado Education Association really stepped up and fought for public education like we’ve never fought before,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association.“Our advocacy elevated educator voice, which reverberated throughout the halls of the state Capitol and the Governor’s office, pushing legislators and the Governor to make policy and fiscal decisions that truly benefit students and educators and public education is in better shape now than it was on Jan. 12 because of it.”
Among other key victories by educators this session were HB21-1087, Teaching and Learning Conditions Survey, which allows Education Support Professionals, who provide direct instruction and support to licensed educators, to participate in the Teaching and Learning Conditions in Colorado (TLCC) Survey. Another significant bill is SB21-185, Supporting Educator Workforce in Colorado, which requires the Colorado Department of Education to direct resources to publicize existing teacher preparation programs and funding for mental health support for educators via the existing Educator Mental Health Hotline, as well as funding for additional supports and interventions for educator mental health for the 2021-22 fiscal year.
Additionally, CEA helped secure victories with HB21-1129, Extend Deadline for Training to Teach Reading, which extends the deadline for kindergarten through third-grade teachers completing evidence-based training in teaching reading to the 2022-23 school year. HB21-1164, Total Program Mill Levy Tax Credit, which allows school districts to increase their local share to 27 mills or fully funded, at one mill a year, without voter approval. This will free up $90 million in funding for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, per the bill’s fiscal note. Finally, CEA helped secure a buy-down of the Budget Stabilization Factor from $1.8 billion to $572 million in SB21-268, Public School Finance.
“Public education funding is always a priority for the members of Colorado Education Association,” said Baca-Oehlert.“The buy down of the Budget Stabilization Factor is significant and this is a step in the right direction but half a billion dollars owed to Colorado students and educators is completely unacceptable especially considering the cumulative underfunding over the last decade of Colorado’s public schools is over nine billion dollars. CEA members, students and parents will continue to fight for the exceptional public schools our students, families, and educators deserve.”
About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is the voice of 39,000 educators, working together in a strong union to ensure all students get the exceptional public schools they deserve, in every neighborhood across the state. As Colorado’s largest labor union, CEA works collectively with all education stakeholders to ensure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.
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