C.R.S. § 22-81-101 Short title
22-81-101. Short title. This part 1 shall be known and may be cited as the "Pre-K-16 Mathematics, Science, and Technology Improvement Act of 1990".
Pre-K-16 Mathematics, Science, and Technology Improvement
C.R.S. tit. 22, art. 81
in effectC.R.S. § 22-81-102 Legislative declaration
22-81-102. Legislative declaration. The Colorado general assembly declares that, as a result of several years of active investigation and studies by groups such as the Colorado alliance for science, the Colorado teachers of mathematics, and industry-based groups, the general assembly recognizes that there exist in the state of Colorado unmet educational needs in the areas of mathematics, science, and the use of technology. The state of Colorado has the responsibility to provide equal opportunity in mathematics, science, and the use of technology to all Pre-K-16 students. The state has the responsibility to provide assistance to school districts that either have insufficient faculty resources to offer a full complement of mathematics, science courses, and the use of technology, including opportunities for advanced study, or have insufficient numbers of students to offer such courses. The state has the responsibility to assure that Pre-K-16 students are provided a curriculum of mathematics, science, and the use of technology that is consistent with contemporary standards. The state also has the responsibility to improve teacher training in mathematics, science, and technology. The general assembly further finds that increasing the mathematics, science, and technology educational opportunities for Pre-K-16 students and teachers fosters an educational system whereby the students and teachers of our state can acquire the needed problem-solving skills and the critical and creative thinking skills necessary for productive participation in an increasingly technological age. In order to meet the responsibilities described in this section, the general assembly hereby finds that improved access to and use of telecommunications facilities is necessary.
C.R.S. § 22-81-103 Definitions
22-81-103. Definitions. As used in this part 1, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Community resources" means the educational resources that can be found outside of the classroom, including but not limited to local industries, government agencies, museums, public telecommunications stations, institutions of higher education, and professional societies.
(2) "Course materials" means all materials associated with a course including, but not limited to, textbooks, software, and visual aids.
(3) "Distance learning" means the delivery of live instruction to students who are physically located at a distance from the instructor, as well as the taped delivery of instruction at a remote site, such as delayed tape or computer software.
(4) "Instructional design" means the systematic design, development, and validation of instruction.
(5) "Teacher training" means in-service, recertification, and graduate course or degree program training.
(6) "Technology" means the design or use of such things as computers, telecommunications devices and networks, or multimedia techniques for teaching or use in student's later careers.
C.R.S. § 22-81-104 Pre-K-16 mathematics, science, and technology education strategic plan
22-81-104. Pre-K-16 mathematics, science, and technology education strategic plan. (1) The department of education and the Colorado commission on higher education, in cooperation and consultation with the business, industry, and professionals in the fields of mathematics, science, technology, and engineering, shall develop a plan for improving Pre-K-16 mathematics, science, and technology education in the state of Colorado through the use of telecommunications networks and facilities. The department of education and the Colorado commission on higher education shall use existing resources and personnel to develop the plan and may collaborate with interested parties, including, but not limited to, those described in this subsection (1).
(2) At a minimum, the plan shall provide direction for program development including:
(a) Identification of curricular goals, which goals reflect the systemic change in the mathematics, science, and technology education curriculum so as to be consistent with the contemporary understanding and emerging patterns of content and pedagogy. Such goals shall also reflect current guidelines and standards, such as those defined by the national council of teachers of mathematics, the American association for the advancement of science, and the national science teachers association.
(b) Identification of essential teacher characteristics;
(c) A statement of desired levels of mathematics, science, and technology achievement by students;
(d) A description of recommended courses of action to improve educational programs, practices, and service;
(e) The improvement of access and availability of mathematics, science, and technology courses, especially for rural school districts and particularly to those groups which are traditionally underrepresented. The plan shall include goals for using telecommunications facilities.
(f) Pre-K-16 teacher training in mathematics, science, and technology; and
(g) Cost estimates.
(3) The plan should provide a framework that enables the teachers, school districts, and institutions of higher education to solve the stated problems as they deem appropriate. The plan should provide mechanisms and incentives to:
(a) Course providers and receivers at the Pre-K-16 and postsecondary levels to design and implement new curricula and to develop new course materials;
(b) Course providers and receivers for leveraging distance learning technologies and applying distance learning instructional design techniques;
(c) Pre-K-16 teachers for taking graduate mathematics, science, and technology courses and degree programs. Such incentives may include a tuition matching program.
(d) Involve appropriate Colorado state agencies, federal agencies, professional organizations, public television stations, and business and industry in the development of the strategic plan; and
(e) Business, industry, and individuals for volunteering their time and community resources.
(4) The plan shall provide a mechanism for incorporating the cost for accomplishing these goals into the ongoing operating budget beginning in 1991.
C.R.S. § 22-81-201 Legislative declaration
22-81-201. Legislative declaration. The general assembly hereby finds that one of the greatest challenges facing schools and teachers is determining how to stimulate and engage students so that they actively seek learning experiences, especially in the areas of math and science and technology. The general assembly finds that too few students are interested in pursuing careers in math and science and technology and that this lack of interest has the potential for creating a shortage of persons who are interested in or capable of discovering the answers to the questions of increasing population, decreasing availability of resources, increasing loss of natural habitats, and decreasing effectiveness of antibiotics and other issues that challenge society's future. The general assembly further recognizes the inherent excitement of space exploration and the opportunity it provides for integrating math and science skills and the use of technology into real-life applications and stimulating students' natural curiosity and desire to learn. The general assembly therefore finds that facilitating the creation of opportunities for students to participate in science and technology education activities that center on simulated space exploration activities promotes the best interests of both students and the state.
C.R.S. § 22-81-202 Definitions
22-81-202. Definitions. As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) Repealed.
(2) "Department" means the state department of education created in section 24-1-115, C.R.S.
(3) "Grant program" means the science and technology education center grant program created in section 22-81-203.
(4) "Science and technology education" means educational activities that integrate and stimulate learning, particularly in the areas of math and science, through space flight simulations or through other simulations related to astronomy or space exploration.
(5) "Science and technology education center" means a nonprofit center operated by any person or entity or group of persons or entities, including but not limited to any nonprofit corporation that promotes aviation and aerospace education, that provides science and technology education activities, materials, and educational workshops for students and their teachers.
(6) "State board" means the state board of education created in section 1 of article IX of the state constitution.
C.R.S. § 22-81-203 Science and technology education center grant program - created - applications - awards
22-81-203. Science and technology education center grant program - created - applications - awards. (1) There is hereby created the science and technology education center grant program to provide development and operating moneys in the form of matching funds for existing or proposed nonprofit science and technology education centers. At a minimum, each science and technology education center that receives a grant shall provide science and technology education activities to students enrolled in public schools in the state and materials and educational workshops to teachers employed by school districts. Any science and technology education center that receives a grant may also provide science and technology education activities, materials, and educational workshops to other persons within the state.
(2) (a) Beginning on or before January 2, 2002, the state board shall, subject to available appropriations, annually award one or more science and technology education center grants for the development and operation of science and technology education centers.
(b) An existing science and technology education center or a person or entity or group of persons or entities proposing the establishment of a science and technology education center may apply for a science and technology education center grant pursuant to procedures and time lines specified by rule of the state board. At a minimum, the application shall include:
(I) The actual or proposed location of the science and technology education center;
(II) Evidence that establishment and ongoing operation of the science and technology education center has the support of the education providers and businesses within the community in which the science and technology education center is or will be located;
(III) Evidence that the proposed or operating science and technology education center has the endorsement of a national science and technology education program that has been in operation in the United States for at least five years;
(IV) Evidence that the proposed or operating science and technology education center has secured the use of a facility;
(V) A description of the equipment and technology that is or will be provided and the activities and range of programs that are or will be offered by the science and technology education center;
(VI) Evidence of the receipt of, or a commitment for, the matching funds necessary to obtain moneys through the grant program under the applicant's plan to obtain such matching funds;
(VII) Any other information specified by rule of the state board.
(3) (a) The state board, in selecting one or more science and technology education centers for receipt of a grant, shall consider:
(I) Whether the science and technology education center is or will be located in an area of the state that is easily accessible to a large number of students; and
(II) The facility, equipment, and technology that are or will be provided and the activities and range of programs that are or will be offered by the science and technology education center.
(b) The state board may not award a science and technology education center grant to any applicant that fails to provide the information specified in subparagraphs (II) and (III) of paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of this section.
(4) (a) A science and technology education center grant shall be payable from moneys appropriated to the science and technology education fund created in section 22-81-206.
(b) The state board shall specify the amount to be awarded to each science and technology education center that is selected to receive a grant. The amount awarded to a new science and technology education center for start-up costs shall not exceed five hundred thousand dollars for one fiscal year and may not be renewed. The amount awarded to an operating science and technology education center for operating costs shall not exceed two hundred thousand dollars for one fiscal year.
nology education center that is selected to receive a grant. The amount awarded to a new science and technology education center for start-up costs shall not exceed five hundred thousand dollars for one fiscal year and may not be renewed. The amount awarded to an operating science and technology education center for operating costs shall not exceed two hundred thousand dollars for one fiscal year.
(c) Each science and technology education center that receives a grant pursuant to the grant program shall demonstrate, prior to receiving any actual moneys, that the center has received, or has a written commitment for, matching funds from other public or private sources in the amount of a dollar-for-dollar match with the amount of the grant.
C.R.S. § 22-81-204 Science and technology education center grants advisory board - created - duties - repeal
22-81-204. Science and technology education center grants advisory board - created - duties - repeal. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 22-81-205 State board - rules - donations
22-81-205. State board - rules - donations. (1) The state board, pursuant to article 4 of title 24, C.R.S., shall promulgate such rules as are required in this part 2 and such additional rules as may be required for implementation of the grant program.
(2) The department shall solicit such public and private gifts, grants, and donations as may be available to fund the grant program. Any moneys so received shall be credited to the science and technology education fund created in section 22-81-206.
C.R.S. § 22-81-206 Science and technology education fund - creation
22-81-206. Science and technology education fund - creation. There is hereby created in the state treasury the science and technology education fund, referred to in this section as the "fund", for payment of science and technology education center grants awarded pursuant to section 22-81-203. The fund shall consist of such moneys as may be appropriated thereto by the general assembly and such moneys as may be credited thereto pursuant to section 22-81-205 (2). Moneys in the fund shall be subject to annual appropriation by the general assembly for the purposes specified in this part 2. The department may expend up to two percent of the moneys annually appropriated to the fund to offset the costs incurred in implementing the grant program. 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.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-22.docxFetched: 10/6/2026