Bell Policy releases Opportunity Note on state legislation
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Bell Policy Center released its first Opportunity Note Feb. 1 to members of the state House of Representatives in advance of a committee hearing on HB-1024.
The Opportunity Note is modeled on the familiar Fiscal Note produced by the Colorado Legislative Council Staff.
The Note evaluates a particular bill's impact -- positive or negative -- on opportunity for Coloradans to live a healthy, educated and self-sufficient life. It also evaluates whether the legislation achieves its goal in a cost-effective manner.
HB-1024, sponsored by state Rep. Jerry Frangas, calls on state colleges and universities to commit to provide the necessary support services to make sure low-income and minority students succeed. The bill got a thumbs-up rating in Bell's Opportunity Note.
Bell Policy Center released its first Opportunity Note Feb. 1 to members of the state House of Representatives in advance of a committee hearing on HB-1024.
The Opportunity Note is modeled on the familiar Fiscal Note produced by the Colorado Legislative Council Staff.
The Note evaluates a particular bill's impact -- positive or negative -- on opportunity for Coloradans to live a healthy, educated and self-sufficient life. It also evaluates whether the legislation achieves its goal in a cost-effective manner.
HB-1024, sponsored by state Rep. Jerry Frangas, calls on state colleges and universities to commit to provide the necessary support services to make sure low-income and minority students succeed. The bill got a thumbs-up rating in Bell's Opportunity Note.
Here's what Frank Waterous, a Bell senior policy analyst, says about HB-1024:
"This bill represents a net opportunity gain for Colorado.
"It establishes an accountability mechanism within the state's higher education performance contracts that specifically addresses institutional commitment to, and support for, retention and success of low-income and minority students.
"The support services specified in the bill align with actions proven to succeed. Requiring institutions to provide these services could help these students stay in school and complete their degrees.
"Colorado Commission on Higher Education data show that in 2003, Colorado colleges and universities awarded 4,552 certificates and degrees to undergraduate minority students. By implementing the support services identified in HB06-1024, this number would increase.
"Based on the 2003 figure, every 1 percent increase would represent 45 more students earning certificates or degrees.
"Over time, this means hundreds more underserved students could graduate from college with better opportunity for good jobs, higher wages and self-sufficiency."
Bell's staff of policy analysts will prepare Opportunity Notes on selected bills as the 2006 session goes along.
All the Opportunity Notes will be available for download and/or viewing on the Policy Watch page of the Bell's web site.
The Opportunity Note is modeled on the familiar Fiscal Note produced by the Colorado Legislative Council Staff.
The Note evaluates a particular bill's impact -- positive or negative -- on opportunity for Coloradans to live a healthy, educated and self-sufficient life. It also evaluates whether the legislation achieves its goal in a cost-effective manner.
HB-1024, sponsored by state Rep. Jerry Frangas, calls on state colleges and universities to commit to provide the necessary support services to make sure low-income and minority students succeed. The bill got a thumbs-up rating in Bell's Opportunity Note.
Bell Policy Center released its first Opportunity Note Feb. 1 to members of the state House of Representatives in advance of a committee hearing on HB-1024.
The Opportunity Note is modeled on the familiar Fiscal Note produced by the Colorado Legislative Council Staff.
The Note evaluates a particular bill's impact -- positive or negative -- on opportunity for Coloradans to live a healthy, educated and self-sufficient life. It also evaluates whether the legislation achieves its goal in a cost-effective manner.
HB-1024, sponsored by state Rep. Jerry Frangas, calls on state colleges and universities to commit to provide the necessary support services to make sure low-income and minority students succeed. The bill got a thumbs-up rating in Bell's Opportunity Note.
Here's what Frank Waterous, a Bell senior policy analyst, says about HB-1024:
"This bill represents a net opportunity gain for Colorado.
"It establishes an accountability mechanism within the state's higher education performance contracts that specifically addresses institutional commitment to, and support for, retention and success of low-income and minority students.
"The support services specified in the bill align with actions proven to succeed. Requiring institutions to provide these services could help these students stay in school and complete their degrees.
"Colorado Commission on Higher Education data show that in 2003, Colorado colleges and universities awarded 4,552 certificates and degrees to undergraduate minority students. By implementing the support services identified in HB06-1024, this number would increase.
"Based on the 2003 figure, every 1 percent increase would represent 45 more students earning certificates or degrees.
"Over time, this means hundreds more underserved students could graduate from college with better opportunity for good jobs, higher wages and self-sufficiency."
Bell's staff of policy analysts will prepare Opportunity Notes on selected bills as the 2006 session goes along.
All the Opportunity Notes will be available for download and/or viewing on the Policy Watch page of the Bell's web site.
