23-82-102. Work-based learning consortium pilot program - created - duties -
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/co/title-23-postsecondary-education/article-82-work-based-learning-consortium-pilot-program/23-82-102·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
repeal. [Editor's note: This section is effective (see editor's note following this section)]
(1)The work-based learning consortium pilot program is created in the department. Upon receiving sufficient funds as described in section 23-82-104 (1), the department shall establish, implement, manage, and maintain the work-based learning consortium pilot program.
(2)The purpose of the pilot program is to:
(a)Demonstrate the value of work-based learning in postsecondary curricula by studying the impact of industry-sponsored projects on course objectives and learning outcomes;
(b)Promote the adoption of work-based learning in higher education by working with faculty at participating institutions of higher education to embed project-based learning opportunities into credit-bearing programs;
(c)Provide broader access to collegiate work-based learning for students;
(d)Measure the impact of work-based learning on participating students; and
(e)Learn how institutions of higher education can increase the value of postsecondary education through career exposure and preparedness.
(a)Pending the receipt of sufficient funds, the department shall convene a consortium of the following representatives after August 6, 2025:
(I)At least three representatives from each participating institution of higher education, who may be participating faculty members, leaders from a career center, chief academic officers, or provosts;
(II)A member from the Colorado commission on higher education;
(III)Members of the Colorado department of labor and employment;
(IV)A member of the Colorado department of education; and
(V)A local or national subject matter expert with experience implementing work-based learning.
(b)The consortium shall meet for three years after August 6, 2025.
(c)The department shall select the participating institutions of higher education described in subsection (3)(a) of this section based on available funding and other criteria established by the department.
(d)The department shall work with the Colorado department of labor and employment and the office of economic development, as relevant subject matter experts, to facilitate employer engagement and to promote industry-sponsored projects.
(e)The members of the consortium serve without compensation and without reimbursement for expenses.
(f)Subject to available funding, faculty participants from participating institutions of higher education may receive a stipend from the fund.
(4)The consortium shall:
(a)Work with each participating institution of higher education's faculty to embed industry-sponsored projects in course curriculum that meet the work-based learning quality standards established pursuant to section 8-83-602 (5);
(b)Work with the department to determine the impact of industry-sponsored projects;
(c)Work with a third-party platform to connect faculty from participating institutions to employers for the purpose of developing high-quality project-based learning opportunities for classroom instruction;
(d)Advise the Colorado commission on higher education on strategies to improve student access to high-quality, work-based learning opportunities for students based on participating faculty members' experience embedding industry-sponsored projects into curriculum;
(e)Develop best practices for institutions of higher education to expand access to work- based learning in the classroom through industry-sponsored projects; and
(f)Develop findings and recommendations based on the consortium's duties described in this subsection (4).
(5)The third-party platform described in subsection (4)(c) of this section must:
(a)Work, as necessary, with the department of labor and employment, institutions of higher educations' career services and workforce development teams, the office of economic development, and the department to recruit industries to participate in industry-sponsored projects;
(b)Work with each participating institution of higher education's faculty to support their work aligning industry-sponsored projects with existing content and curricula, including, but not limited to:
(I)Using models tailored to different disciplines, student-team collaboration frameworks, including project guidelines and expectations, and faculty-integrated experiential learning models;
(II)Partnering with each participating institution of higher education's career services or workforce development team and faculty and staff to develop a strategy to grow their industry and employer networks;
(III)Working with participating institutions of higher education to develop new employer engagement strategies to expand industry collaboration;
(IV)Providing an online platform for structured work-based learning opportunities, including industry-sponsored projects that are shared with participating institutions of higher education;
(V)Providing project-based learning models to support program development;
(VI)Providing relevant data regarding the effectiveness of the pilot program and its impact; and
(VII)Providing institutional support and training, including support for faculty through training workshops on integrating experiential learning into curricula; a custom consortium dashboard for tracking projects, student progress, and institutional engagement; best practice guides for scaling across programs and departments; and a resource hub with case studies.
(a)No later than three years after August 6, 2025, the consortium shall complete and submit a report to the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate, or their successor committees, on the following:
(I)A description of the consortium's findings and recommendations described in subsection (4)(f) of this section;
(II)The details of the consortium's impacts on participating institutions of higher education and the effects of creating additional work-based learning activities on students, faculty, and employers; and
(III)Recommendations for statutory changes, financial resources, department policy changes, and institutions of higher education policy changes necessary to improve successful work-based learning opportunities for students enrolled in institutions of higher education.
(b)This subsection
(6)is repealed, effective June 30, 2031.