Bipartisan Marchman Bill to Get More Teachers Into Classrooms Clears Senate

Legislation would create apprenticeship programs to help address Colorado’s teacher shortage

DENVER, CO – The Senate today advanced Senator Janice Marchman’s, D-Loveland, bipartisan legislation, SB23-087, which aims to get more teachers into classrooms by creating a teacher apprenticeship program.

Cosponsored by Sen. Mark Baisley, R-Woodland Park, the bill would allow the Department of Education (DOE) to create an apprenticeship program that builds on elements of existing alternative teacher licensure programs and would include a bachelor's degree requirement, training programs approved by DOE, and structured on-the-job training.

“As a middle school math teacher, I know how critical a quality education is for our kids – but right now there aren’t enough teachers to meet demand, and students and families are suffering as a result,” Marchman said. “This bill will help address those shortages and will provide hard-working Colorado school staff the hands-on training and experience they need to step into teaching jobs and provide our kids with the quality public education they deserve.”

According to the Colorado Education Association, teacher and staff shortages remain a huge problem in Colorado’s schools, with 85 percent of educators saying that the teacher shortage is significantly or somewhat worse than previous school years.

SB23-087 now moves to the House for further consideration. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.