Bill > SB178

This bill amends the existing Colorado K-5 Social and Emotional Health Pilot Program by modifying how pilot schools are selected and how program funding will be distributed. The bill removes previous specific criteria for school selection and instead introduces a new set of factors for determining funding allocation. These factors include the school's current student-to-counselor ratio, number of students at risk of dropping out due to chronic absenteeism, dropout rate, graduation rate, and the diversity of the student population (including ethnic, cultural, and language backgrounds, with special consideration for refugee populations). The pilot program will continue to focus on schools in districts with high youth suicide rates, high-poverty student populations, and significant food insecurity. The state board is required to adopt rules for distributing money to these pilot schools based on the new criteria. The bill will take effect after the standard legislative review period, with a potential voter referendum possible in the November 2026 election, which would determine its final implementation if challenged.

Education

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-178