Colorado Senate Bill SB127

Colorado 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/8/22
• Refer: 2/8/22
• Report Pass: 2/16/22
• Refer: 2/16/22
• Report Pass: 4/1/22
• Refer: 4/1/22
• Engrossed: 4/4/22
• Refer: 4/4/22
• Report Pass: 4/13/22
• Refer: 4/13/22
• Report Pass: 4/26/22
• Refer: 4/26/22
• Engrossed: 5/9/22
• Engrossed: 5/10/22
• Enrolled: 5/10/22
• Passed: 5/26/22

Caption

Special Education Funding

Impact

The bill establishes a structure where, through appropriations, educational units can secure the necessary resources to adequately support students with disabilities. An emphasis is placed on analyzing funding models in other states compared to Colorado’s, with the intent of determining areas needing improvement. This analysis will assist in ensuring that Colorado's funding models effectively meet the diverse needs of children with disabilities, thus aiming to create a more inclusive educational environment.

Summary

Senate Bill 127 focuses on enhancing funding for special education services in Colorado. It outlines the provisions for the distribution of funds to administrative units responsible for delivering educational services to children with disabilities. Specifically, it increases the per-student allocation for such programs, ensuring that from the 2022-23 budget year onwards, each child receiving special education will garner more financial support compared to previous years. This change intends to address the rising costs associated with providing quality educational resources for students with disabilities.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding SB127 is largely positive among supporters, who advocate for increased funding as a vital step toward improving educational outcomes for children with disabilities. The recognition of special education funding as essential to ensuring equitable access to education resonates strongly with many stakeholders in the education sector. However, there may be concerns about the sustainability of the funding model and whether the increase will be sufficient to meet the growing needs of these programs.

Contention

One notable point of contention could arise regarding how effectively the new funding model will adapt to the unique challenges faced by various administrative units across Colorado. While the bill aims to standardize funding increases, there may be disparities in how these funds are utilized based on local needs. Additionally, opponents might argue about the adequacy of the appropriations in fully funding the diverse requirements of special education services, which could be a topic for further debate amid discussions on budget constraints.