Colo. Senate passes teacher tenure bill

By The AP
Friday, April 30, 2010

DENVER — The Colorado Senate has passed legislation holding teachers and principals accountable for the performance of their students.

Senators voted 21-14 on today to back the proposal, which also changes how teachers get and keep tenure. It now heads to the House where it’s expected to face more challenges in the final full week of the Legislature’s 2010 session.

Most Senate Democrats, who control the chamber, voted against the bill, which the state’s largest teachers’ union opposes. The bill was able to pass because seven Democrats voted with all 14 Senate Republicans.

Backers think the bill will increase the state’s chances of winning up to $170 million in federal funding from the Obama administration’s “Race to the Top” competition.