(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that, in order for students to succeed at state-supported institutions of higher education, the Colorado public system of elementary and secondary education must have provided students with the skills and abilities necessary to make the transition to the postsecondary system. The general assembly further recognizes that the establishment of goals and standards for providing transition skills and abilities is the prerogative of the elementary and secondary public education system. The general assembly recognizes that, in establishing these goals and standards, the elementary and secondary education system should be in communication with the postsecondary education system regarding the skills and abilities that are needed to succeed in higher education. It is therefore the intent of the general assembly that the department, in consultation with the department of education, adopt necessary policies and procedures to facilitate the transition for students between the two systems. (2) In consultation with the state board of education, appropriate school boards, and governing boards of state-supported institutions of higher education, the department and the governing boards shall adopt necessary policies and procedures to promote the establishment of a mechanism for postsecondary institutions to report back to the secondary public education system concerning: (a) The skills and abilities, and the level of proficiency thereof, that first-year students at such postsecondary institutions need to have in order to succeed; (b) The level of proficiency in such skills and abilities currently exhibited by first-year students; (c) The level of achievement currently exhibited by first-year students; and (d) Any other information that will provide a better transition for students between the two education systems. (3) In consultation with the state board of education, governing boards of state-supported institutions of higher education, and appropriate school district boards, the department shall aid the elementary and secondary public education system and the postsecondary public education system in establishing a network to connect the faculty of postsecondary institutions with the teachers in school districts for the purpose of exchanging information. (4) For purposes of this section, "postsecondary" means related to instruction of students over the age of seventeen years who are not enrolled in a regular program of kindergarten through grade twelve in a public, independent, or parochial school. (5) Repealed. (6) (a) The department shall establish an outreach team to provide training to and establish partnerships between the department and school districts, charter schools authorized by a school district pursuant to part 1 of article 30.5 of title 22, charter schools authorized by the state charter school institute pursuant to part 5 of article 30.5 of title 22, or a board of cooperative services created and operating pursuant to article 5 of title 22 that operates one or more public schools to assist them in preparing students to transition from the K-12 education system. The team shall also provide outreach and training to individuals in workforce centers, individuals in correctional facilities, and foster youth. (b) The training must include: (I) Career advising as part of a student's individual career and education plans; (II) Financial literacy, including information on the free application for federal student aid and the Colorado application for state financial aid; (III) How to support the completion of federal and state financial aid applications; (IV) The importance of, and return on investment of, all postsecondary options, including available state-supported websites and navigation tools on postsecondary and workforce opportunities; (V) The availability of state funded scholarships and financial assistance for students; and (VI) The department's role and mission. (c) The training must be available to educators in conjunction with the training approved pursuant to section 22-2-127.1.
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