Bipartisan College and Career Pathways Bill Helps Colorado Students and Businesses Succeed

Statement from Patricia Levesque, ExcelinEd CEO, on legislation to strengthen college and career pathways, signed into law today by Colorado Governor Jared Polis. 

“Ensuring students are prepared for life after high school graduation is a critical challenge for our workforce and the nation. 

“Expanding college and career pathways – and rewarding achievement – sets students and schools on a path to success. When graduates leave school prepared with the skills to compete and succeed in postsecondary education and higher-wage careers, families, businesses and the economy all benefit. 

“We congratulate Governor Jared Polis, Senator Jeff Bridges and the bipartisan group of lawmakers who supported this legislation that builds upon Colorado’s already impressive education to workforce progress. We also thank Colorado Succeeds for their continued commitment to preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s workforce.” 

Senate Bill 119, sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges, improves Colorado’s Career Development Success Program by: 

• Requiring the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), in collaboration with postsecondary and workforce stakeholders, to annually identify and incentivize the top industry-recognized credentials aligned with higher-skill, higher-wage, in-demand jobs. Pathways that lead to these credentials must also include opportunities for students to earn college credit while in high school, in addition to earning the credential.   
• Expanding the list of programs that qualify for incentive funding to include a broader range of work-based learning opportunities. 
• Requiring the department to collect and report credential attainment and work-based learning data by student groups.  

The Career Development Success Program provides up to $1,000 for each student who completes a qualified industry-credential program, internship, residency, apprenticeship or advanced placement course. The CDE collaborates with the Colorado Workforce Development Council—and with other partners in government, industry and higher education—to identify qualifying programs for students. The program has an annual appropriation of $1 million.