First Regular Session
Seventy-fourth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REENGROSSED
This Version Includes All Amendments
Adopted in the House of Introduction
LLS NO. 23-0266.01 Kristen Forrestal x0532
HOUSE BILL 23-1198
House Committees Senate Committees
Education
Finance
Appropriations
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING A STATEWIDE TEACH ER EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM TO101
PROVIDE KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE TEACHERS102
WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN SPECIFIED103
DISCIPLINES, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, MAKING AN104
APPROPRIATION.105
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov
.)
The bill requires the department of labor and employment
(department) to establish a teacher externship program to allow
HOUSE
Amended 3rd Reading
May 2, 2023
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
May 1, 2023
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Titone and Lukens, Amabile, Bacon, Bird, Boesenecker, Brown, deGruy Kennedy, Duran,
English, Froelich, Garcia, Gonzales-Gutierrez, Hamrick, Herod, Jodeh, Joseph, Kipp, Lieder,
Lindsay, Mabrey, McCluskie, McCormick, McLachlan, Michaelson Jenet, Ortiz, Ricks,
Sharbini, Story, Valdez, Velasco, Vigil, Willford, Woodrow, Young
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Rich,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. kindergarten through twelfth grade public school teachers (K-12 teachers)
to participate in experiential learning opportunities with employers,
outside of the school environment, to gain knowledge and expand their
curriculum in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
disciplines and other disciplines that may be of value to a particular
school district.
The department is required to work with the department of
education to select appropriate employers to participate in the externship
program. Employers may be eligible for a tax credit for participation in
the externship program. A K-12 teacher who participates in the externship
program may receive compensation from the applicable school district or
from the employer providing the externship and may apply for
professional development credit and graduate school credits as part of the
teacher license renewal requirements.
The director of the division of employment and training in the
department is authorized to seek and accept gifts, grants, and donations
for allocation to school districts for compensation for teachers who
participate in an externship.
The bill requires the department to compile and report data on the
externship program on an annual basis.
The bill creates a tax credit for employers that participate in the
externship program.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 8-83-601, amend2
(15); and add (4.5), (5.5),
(5.7), (10.5), and (12.5) as follows:3
8-83-601. Definitions. As used in this part 6:4
(4.5) "E
XTERNSHIP PROGRAM" MEANS THE STATEWIDE TEACHER5
EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM CREATED IN SECTION 8-83-602.5.6
(5.5) "K-12
TEACHER" OR "TEACHER IN A K-12 CLASSROOM"7
MEANS A TEACHER TEACHING IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE STATE .8
(5.7) "LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER" MEANS A SCHOOL DISTRICT,9
A BOARD OF COOPERATIVE SERVICES THAT OPERATES A SCHOOL, A10
DISTRICT CHARTER SCHOOL, OR AN INSTITUTE CHARTER SCHOOL.11
(10.5) "P
UBLIC SCHOOL" MEANS A SCHOOL IN THE STATE THAT12
ENROLLS STUDENTS IN ANY OF GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH13
1198-2- TWELFTH GRADE, INCLUDING A TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL OF A SCHOOL1
DISTRICT, AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 22-1-101 (1); A CHARTER SCHOOL, AS2
DEFINED IN SECTION 22-30.5-103 (2); OR AN INSTITUTE CHARTER SCHOOL,3
AS DEFINED IN SECTION 22-30.5-502 (6).4
(12.5) "STEM"
MEANS THE COMBINATION OF THE DISCIPLINES OF5
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS.6
(15) (a) "Work-based learning" means learning that occurs, in7
whole or in part, in the workplace that provides youth and adults,8
INCLUDING TEACHERS IN K-12 CLASSROOMS, with hands-on, real-world9
experience and training for skills development.10
(b) "Work-based learning" includes activities such as job11
shadowing, internships, externships, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships,12
residencies, and incumbent-worker training.13
(c) "W
ORK-BASED LEARNING" ALSO INCLUDES EXTERNSHIPS IN14
STEM
OR STEM-RELATED FIELDS TAILORED TO PROVIDE K-12 TEACHERS15
WITH KNOWLEDGE TO IMPROVE CLASSROOM CURRICULUM .16
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 8-83-602.5 as17
follows:18
8-83-602.5. Teacher externship program - creation -
rules -19
repeal. (1) (a) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2024, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL20
ESTABLISH A TEACHER EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM TO PROVIDE WORK -BASED21
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR K-12 TEACHERS IN THIS STATE. THE22
PURPOSE OF THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM IS FOR K-12 TEACHERS TO23
IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN A STEM OR STEM-RELATED FIELD, OR OTHER24
FIELDS THAT WILL PROVIDE VALUE TO K-12 TEACHERS, IN ORDER TO25
IMPROVE THEIR CLASSROOM CURRICULUMS IN A STEM OR26
STEM-
RELATED AREA AND FOSTER STUDENT INTEREST IN JOBS AND27
1198
-3- INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THAT STUDENTS MAY NOT BE EXPOSED TO1
WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE THEIR K-12 TEACHERS GAIN THROUGH AN2
EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM.3
(b) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTABLISH AT LEAST
ONE4
EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM MODEL AND DEVELOP CONSISTENCY IN OFFERING5
THE ABILITY FOR K-12 TEACHERS PARTICIPATING IN AN EXTERNSHIP6
PROGRAM TO APPLY FOR GRADUATE CREDITS THROUGH AN ACCREDITED7
COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY, CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CREDITS ,8
AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDITS .9
(2) (a) I
N ADMINISTERING THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM , THE10
DEPARTMENT SHALL WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO11
STRIVE TO CREATE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR K-12 TEACHERS12
THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO PARTICIPATE IN WORK -BASED LEARNING. THE13
DEPARTMENT MAY USE WORK -BASED LEARNING INTERMEDIARIES14
SELECTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-83-602 (3) TO AID IN CREATING AND15
FINDING WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR K-12 TEACHERS.16
(b) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL ALSO COLLABORATE WITH THE17
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM STANDARDS18
CONCERNING:19
(I) T
HE NUMBER OF HOURS REQUIRED IN AN EXTERNSHIP20
OPPORTUNITY;21
(II) Q
UALIFICATIONS FOR K-12 TEACHER AND EMPLOYER22
PARTICIPATION IN THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM ; AND23
(III) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR LOCAL EDUCATION24
PROVIDERS TO RECEIVE DIRECT PAYMENTS .25
(c) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF26
EDUCATION TO SELECT APPROPRIATE EMPLOYERS FOR PARTICIPATION IN27
1198
-4- THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENSURE THAT :1
(I) E
ACH EMPLOYER SELECTED FOR THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM IS2
ABLE TO PROVIDE EXPERIENCE IN A STEM OR STEM-RELATED FIELD OR3
IN OTHER APPROPRIATE WORKING ENVIRONMENTS AS DETERMINED BY4
EACH
LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER THAT HAS A K-12 TEACHER WHO5
WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN AN EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM ; AND6
(II) T
HE K-12 TEACHERS WHO ARE PLACED WITH EACH EMPLOYER7
HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE THAT CAN BE TRANSFERRED8
TO THE CLASSROOM TO PROVIDE RELEVANT AND CURRENT INFORMATION9
TO STUDENTS IN SUBJECT MATTERS THAT PROVIDE VALUE TO THE K-1210
TEACHER'S
LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER .11
12
(3) F
OR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING INCENTIVES FOR EMPLOYERS13 TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM , THE DEPARTMENT MAY14
ALLOCATE MONEY DIRECTLY TO LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS FOR15
TEACHER COMPENSATION AND TO WORK -BASED INTERMEDIARIES, IF16
APPLICABLE, TO DEFRAY THE COSTS OF PLACING A K-12 TEACHER IN AN17
EXTERNSHIP WITH AN EMPLOYER.18
19
(4) A
K-12 TEACHER WHO PARTICIPATES IN THE EXTERNSHIP20
PROGRAM:21
(a) M
AY BE COMPENSATED BY THE
LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER,22
EMPLOYER, OR ANOTHER ENTITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE EXTERNSHIP23
PROGRAM; AND24
(b) M
AY APPLY FOR, AS APPLICABLE:25
(I) P
ROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDIT AS REQUIRED BY SECTION26
22-60.5-110
FOR LICENSE RENEWAL;27
1198
-5- (II) GRADUATE CREDITS THROUGH AN ACCREDITED COLLEGE OR1
UNIVERSITY; AND2
(III) C
AREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CREDITS .3
(5) (a) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL GATHER THE FOLLOWING DATA4
REGARDING THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM :5
(I) T
HE NUMBER OF EMPLOYER PARTICIPANTS ;6
(II) T
HE NUMBER OF K-12 TEACHER PARTICIPANTS;7
(III) T
HE
LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS WITH K-12 TEACHERS8
PARTICIPATING IN THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM ; AND9
(IV) A
REVIEW FROM EACH K-12 TEACHER WHO PARTICIPATES IN10
THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM , INCLUDING INFORMATION ON THE VALUE11
FOUND IN THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM .12
(b) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL REPORT THIS DATA ON ITS WEBSITE13
AT LEAST ANNUALLY AND SHALL SHARE THE INFORMATION WITH THE14
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.15
(6) T
HE DIRECTOR MAY SEEK AND ACCEPT GIFTS , GRANTS, AND16
DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SOURCES FOR THE PURPOSES OF17
PROVIDING COMPENSATION TO TEACHERS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE18
EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM.19
(7) IF A TEACHER PARTICIPATING IN THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM IS20
SUBJECT TO A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT OR MEMORANDUM OF21
UNDERSTANDING CONCERNING THE TEACHER'S SALARY AND THE22
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT OR MEMORANDUM OF23
UNDERSTANDING IS IN CONFLICT WITH THIS SECTION, THE COLLECTIVE24
BARGAINING AGREEMENT OR MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TAKES25
PRECEDENT OVER ANY PAYMENT AUTHORIZED BY THIS SECTION .26
(8) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT MAY27
1198
-6- PROMULGATE RULES TO IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION .1
(9) THIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2025.2
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-60.5-110, amend3
(3)(b) introductory portion as follows:4
22-60.5-110. Renewal of licenses. (3) (b) A professional licensee5
shall complete such THE ongoing professional development within the6
period of time for which such THE professional license is valid. Such THE7
professional development may include but need not be limited to8
in-service education programs, including training in preventing,9
identifying, and responding to child sexual abuse and assault; behavioral10
health training that is culturally responsive and trauma- and11
evidence-informed; and laws and practices relating to the education of12
students with disabilities in the classroom, including but not limited to13
child find and inclusive learning environments; college or university14
credit from an accepted institution of higher education or a community,15
technical, or local district college; educational travel that meets the16
requirements specified in subsection (3)(d) of this section; involvement17
in school reform; service as a mentor teacher for teacher candidates18
participating in clinical practice, as defined in section 23-78-103;19
internships; and ongoing professional development training and20
experiences;
AND TEACHER EXTERNSHIPS PURSUANT TO SECTION21
8-83-602.5. The state board of education, by rule, may establish minimum22
criteria for professional development; except that such
THE criteria shall23
not:24
25
SECTION 4. Appropriation. For the 2023-24 state fiscal year,26
$223,039 is appropriated to the department of labor and employment for27
1198
-7- use by the division of employment and training. This appropriation is1
from the general fund and is based on an assumption that the division will2
require an additional 0.8 FTE. To implement this act, the division may3
use this appropriation for the STEM teacher externship program. Any4
money appropriated in this section not expended prior to July 1, 2024, is5
further appropriated to the division for the 2024-25 state fiscal year for6
the same purpose.7
SECTION 5. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act8
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the9
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except10
that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V11
of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this12
act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take13
effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in14
November 2024 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the15
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.16
1198
-8-