C.R.S. § 22-35.3-101: Legislative declaration.

(1) The general assembly finds that:

(a) The pathways in technology early college high school model (p-tech) allows students to graduate from high school with a high school diploma and an industry-recognized associate degree. Students in a p-tech school may also earn pre-apprenticeship certificates and other industry-recognized certificates in addition to an associate degree.

(b) The success of p-tech schools depends upon close collaboration between a local education provider, a community college, and one or more local high-growth industry employers;

(c) The p-tech school model has been recently established in other states, including New York, Connecticut, and Illinois, and is showing promise; and

(d) Graduating more high school students with career-ready skills to meet Colorado's workforce needs is part of the state's education and economic development goals.

(2) The general assembly therefore declares that establishing a limited number of p-tech schools in the state will benefit students and industry in Colorado.