Lt. Governor Outlines Colorado Education Goals

DENVER (AP) -- Colorado Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia has outlined three broad priorities for the state Department of Higher Education, which he also heads.

Garcia said Thursday the top goals are implementing a 2010 state law designed to ensure teacher effectiveness, getting the public involved in a third-grade reading program and taking several steps to advance higher education.

The 2010 law requires teachers to be judged on the performance of their students and puts their jobs on the line if they fail, but lawmakers haven't allocated money to implement it.

The higher education steps include joining a national initiative to improve college productivity, supporting a bill allowing the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to work with college boards to set goals and performance measures, and streamlining student transfers from two- to four-year colleges.

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