cche

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.

Articles: Pregnant moms quit smoking, Better medical care prevents pregnancy-related deaths, The 65 Percent Solution, CCHE requests $8.7 million in need-based aid, Increase in state funding for colleges, Low-income adults get smaller share of job training benefits, Insurance companies shed high-risk customers, Race and income affect health care, Colorado economy to add jobs, Indexing minimum wage to inflation, Companies freeze pensions

Articles: Health-care spending continues to outpace growth of economy, Economic security for low-income families, Many states closing educational ???expectations gap???, CCHE moves forward with new financial aid model, Health care costs squeeze higher ed funding, Employer spending on benefits grows more than on wages, Will health savings accounts reduce health care spending?, Strong state laws against predatory lending work, Net worth, income and savings gaps exist between white and minority . . .

Articles: New Colorado citizenship law tough on low-income citizens, costly, The Opportunity Agenda and what was NOT on the ???06 ballot, Wanted: Highly qualified teachers, CCHE approves new financial aid policy, State Health Care Reform Commission begins work, Citizens??? Health Care Working Group recommends access to health care for all Americans, Health insurance premiums rise at twice the rate of inflation, New Colorado minimum wage, What is the best way to promote financial literacy?

As the new legislative session begins and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education launches its statewide higher education marketing campaign with today's "CollegeInColorado" event, the Bell would like to highlight key issues in improving access to, and success in, higher education for underserved students.

A Boulder Daily Camera commentary looking at low levels of financial aid in Colorado and a Colorado Commission of Higher Education proposal that could potentially limit aid to the neediest families in the state.

We must encourage the development and expansion of dual enrollment programs throughout the state. If the Colorado departments of Education and Higher Education and their governing boards cannot agree on how to do this, the Legislature should bypass them and make it happen.

Articles: Leg. Works to Restore Medicaid Prenatal Care, Closing Achievement Gap Commission Releases Interim Report, ACE Cites Best Ways to Improve College Access for Low-Income, Minority Students, Bell Urges CCHE to do More to Improve College Access in CO, The State of CO's Working Poor Families

Calling the ???CollegeInColorado??? statewide marketing campaign for higher education unveiled today by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education ???a good first step,??? Wade Buchanan, president of Bell Policy Center, today called upon CCHE to launch an all-out effort to expand access to higher education for all Coloradoans, and especially for underserved low-income and minority students, in a letter to CCHE Executive Director Rick O'Donnell.