The general assembly finds that state programs instituting comprehensive statewide systemic initiatives designed to broaden the impact, accelerate the pace, and increase the effectiveness of and achieve significant improvements in science, mathematics, and technology education in pre-K through 12 and postsecondary levels are essential to student improvement and achievement in the 1990's and beyond. The general assembly further finds that a statewide structure for systemic change in pre-K through 12 and postsecondary mathematics, science, and technology education should be designed which takes full advantage of the unique opportunities available in Colorado including, but not limited to, a decentralized educational system that supports creative reform initiatives beginning in the classroom, a concentration of expertise in the space sciences and technological fields, and a plan for improving such education through the use of a statewide comprehensive telecommunications system under the Pre-K-16 Mathematics, Science, and Technology Improvement Act of 1990, article 81 of this title. The general assembly finds that the Colorado mathematics-science-technology commission appointed by the governor intends to facilitate and assist with developing plans for the restructuring of mathematics, science, and technology programs in pre-K through 12 and postsecondary education. The general assembly finds that the goals of such structure for systemic change should be to increase the knowledge of science and mathematics acquired by all students at all grade and ability levels, to afford every student the maximum opportunity to acquire the habits of mind and critical thinking skills that characterize the effective use of mathematics and science essential for engineering and technology, to assure the emergence of Colorado as the national leader in student achievement and participation in science, mathematics, and technology, particularly by those groups which are traditionally underrepresented, and to participate actively in achieving the president's and the nation's governors' goal of making American students the first in the world in mathematics and science achievement by the year 2000.
Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 514, � 1, effective June 5.
22-83-102. Pre-K through 12 and postsecondary mathematics, science, and technology education improvement plan. (1) The Colorado mathematics-science-technology commission shall facilitate an improvement plan that institutes comprehensive statewide systemic initiatives designed to analyze, review, and improve all or some of the systemic components of pre-K through 12 and postsecondary mathematics, science, and engineering education in Colorado. Such plan shall specifically include and address the following:
(a) The design, facilitation, and coordination of such a plan by the Colorado department of education, the Colorado commission on higher education, the Colorado alliance for science, individual school district boards, and the governing boards of state institutions of higher education, in cooperation and consultation with the mathematics-science-technology commission appointed by the governor;
(b) Measures taken in preparation for action, including the mathematics-science-technology commission's findings derived from a thorough analysis of the essential system components and factors affecting science, mathematics, engineering, and technical education;
(c) Specific objectives, including, but not limited to, increasing student participation and achievement in mathematics, science, and technology education at all grade and ability levels and increasing public awareness about mathematics, science, and technology instruction and issues;
(d) The results and benefits expected from the plan, including increased student access to and participation in math and science courses and the evaluation and redesigning of math and science instruction;
(e) An agenda for action and experimentation which describes an explicit management and implementation structure, confronts obstacles to change, and achieves planned improvements;
(f) The proposed development of a network of unique schools to develop and refine systemic change in mathematics, science, and technology education with an ultimate purpose of increasing the effectiveness for children;
(g) Long-term commitments to action specifically describing the commitment made by the officers, offices, agencies, groups, and systems making up the statewide partnership;
(h) The past and planned efforts made to increase public awareness and understanding of the urgent need to support improvements in mathematics, science, and technology education;
(i) A description of certain components of systemic change to be integrated into plans for mathematics, science, and technology education initiatives, including but not limited to the following:
(I) Organizational structure and decision-making;
(II) Provision and allocation of resources;
(III) Recruitment and preparation of teachers and college faculty;
(IV) Retention and continuing professional development of teachers and other professional personnel;
(V) Curriculum content and learning goals;
(VI) Delivery of instruction, including the use of educational technology;
(VII) Assessment of student achievement;
(VIII) Facilities and equipment;
(IX) Articulation within the system; and
(X) Accountability systems;
(j) The past and planned efforts made to restructure teacher education programs for higher education to ensure that all students shall have strong mathematics, science, and technology competencies; and
(k) The use of advanced technology to improve distance learning capabilities for rural and urban schools including, but not limited to, carrying mathematics, science, and technology courses on the state's existing telecommunications networks and those to be expanded or developed.
Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 515, � 1, effective June 5. L. 97: (1)(a) amended, p. 1013, � 20, effective August 6.
22-83-103. Mathematics, science, and technology education improvement plan fund - creation. (1) There is hereby created in the state treasury the mathematics, science, and technology education improvement plan fund, which fund shall be administered by the department of education.
(2) The department is authorized to receive donations, grants, contributions, gifts, bequests, federal funds, and funds from any source to be credited to the fund. All interest derived from the deposit and investment of moneys in the fund shall be credited to the fund. At the end of any fiscal year, all unexpended and unencumbered moneys in the fund shall remain therein and shall not be credited or transferred to the general fund or any other fund but shall be subject to appropriation by the general assembly for the purposes of this article.
(3) The general assembly may from time to time make appropriations from the general fund to the fund for the use of the department in carrying out the purposes of this article.
Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 517, � 1, effective June 5.