Colorado House Democrats

“Smart Start” Bill Gives Gifted Young Children a Chance to Begin School When Ready

(DENVER)   Representative Cherylin Peniston (D-Westminster) got her proposal, House Bill 1021, off to a good start as it passed the House on an initial voice vote this morning.  She hopes to do the same for exceptionally bright and ready four- and five-year-olds by allowing them to enter the grade ahead of their usual point of entry. 

Rep. Peniston’s legislation allows school districts the option of enrolling gifted students in kindergarten a year early, at age four; and allows gifted five-year-olds to enter first grade. 

“For these off-the-charts kids, the need for early intellectual stimulation and early access to formal learning is not only preferable, it’s critical,” Rep. Peniston said in presenting her proposal. “These highly-advanced, gifted pre-schoolers need challenging, structured educational settings.”

“This bill says we will not shortchange our brightest youngsters.  We will not set artificial barriers in front of these highly-advanced, gifted children for whom early access to kindergarten is absolutely what they need, when they are ready for it. We must create an education system with flexibility for all types of students.”

-- Posted by staff

Powder Day for Resolution

Skiing and Snowboarding Resolution Swooshes to Senate

DENVER –State Representative Gwyn Green (D-Golden) isn’t the type of person you would expect to see with pink ski goggles around her neck while holding a snowboard.

The State Representative, a former skier, is known affectionately as the Fighting Granny around the State Capitol.  The Jefferson County legislator is sponsoring House Joint Resolution 1008, making skiing and snowboarding the official winter sports of Colorado.

The idea became a reality after she received a call from one of her youngest constituents.  Last summer, then 9-year-old William “Citizen” Kane contacted the lawmaker with an idea.  During a Colorado history class at Dennison Elementary in Lakewood, it occurred to William that there was no official state sport designated in Colorado. 

William quickly went to work to change that.   An avid skier, William proposed that skiing and snowboarding should become the state’s official winter sports.  He contacted Rep. Green, directly to ask for her help.

“I told him to gather some petition signatures to make sure there was support for the idea.  A few weeks later he reported back to me that he had 70 signatures.  I thought, wow, that is pretty good,” Rep. Green explained.

"Smart Start" Package Promises a Strong Educational Foundation In Kids' Earliest Years

(DENVER) As Colorado’s students head back to school, House Democratic leaders announced their “Smart Start” education package Monday to put Colorado’s children on the path to meet their potential in the 21st century workforce.

Representative Dianne Primavera (D-Broomfield) noted that the achievement gap in Colorado schools is not closing.  “We know that the early years are the learning years in a child's life. It is proven that Early Childhood Education helps kids succeed.”

She declared every four-and five-year old in Colorado should have access to early childhood education.  The bill, introduced originally by Rep. Pommer’s as the School Finance Act of 2007, will entirely eliminate the waitlist for pre-school and will make full-day kindergarten available to 22,000 more five year olds over the next six years.

“We have made incremental improvements in recent years, but I want to throw open the class-room doors and allow every child in Colorado the chance to attend full day of kindergarten.” stated Rep. Primavera.

In talking with parents, teachers and school administrators, Representative Michael Merrifield (D-Colorado Springs), discovered that most school districts do not have the tools and training to help students overcome dyslexia, a learning disability affecting one in five children according to the National Institutes of Health.  He announced a bill today which will give teachers the support and training to best help students with dyslexia. 

“Research shows early intervention is key.  If we identify and treat these students at a young age, we will save our students time, despair and struggle while we save our school districts money.  The sooner we can identify students with dyslexia, the sooner we can assist them and prevent them from becoming at-risk for dropping out.” 

Representative Cherylin Peniston (D-Westminster) will introduce legislation allowing school districts the option of enrolling gifted students in kindergarten a year early, at age four.  “We must create an education system with flexibility for all types of students.”

-- Posted by Staff