This year, the Colorado legislature introduced House Bill 1320, also known as the School Finance Act, to preserve and protect the state’s new K-12 funding formula amid mounting fiscal pressure. The bill increases per-pupil revenue by an average of $380, ensures no district sees a cut, and extends the implementation timeline of the new formula from six to seven years to give schools stability while easing strain on the General Fund.
While the planned increases are slightly smaller than expected, the bill represents a strong commitment to student-centered funding at a time when the state is grappling with a $1.2 billion shortfall.
This matters because House Bill 1320 helps ensure that Colorado can keep the promises made last year when the legislature overhauled the state’s school funding formula for the first time in three decades. That historic update acknowledged what educators have long known: Success in today’s classrooms looks different than it did 30 years ago.
Back then, our system was designed for efficiency over equity. The goal was to get most students to average performance. Teachers graded on a curve, and students were ranked and sorted — some headed to college, others to jobs right after high school. I remember my principal once calling me in to scold me for not failing enough students to maintain the class average.
In 2003, the federal government passed No Child Left Behind. While far from perfect, the law made one expectation crystal clear: all students should succeed — not just some. The problem was, our school systems never fully evolved to meet that expectation, especially when it came to how we funded our schools. We continued to rely on outdated funding models built around average outcomes instead of student needs.
But students don’t come in “average” packages. They arrive in classrooms with unique strengths, challenges, and stories. In my 26 years of teaching, differentiation — tailoring instruction to meet individual needs — was always the hardest part of the job.
In one of my final classes, I had 32 students, including five with Individualized Education Programs, four students with a disability on 504 plans, six in gifted programs, five English learners, and five who were hard of hearing. One student had recently immigrated from Thailand, spoke no English, and communicated only in International Sign, which differs from American Sign Language.
Teaching that class was deeply rewarding — and absolutely overwhelming.
That’s why the new school funding formula is so important. When fully funded, it will deliver an additional $500 million annually to Colorado public schools. It increases weights for students living in poverty, English learners, and those with special learning needs — providing districts the ability to hire more support staff, give teachers more time to plan, and invest in strategies that actually improve student outcomes. It’s a move away from funding systems and toward supporting students.
House Bill 1320 helps keep that vision on track. In addition to increasing overall funding, it begins phasing out outdated practices like multiyear enrollment averaging, a relic of the old formula that no longer reflects the realities of today’s schools. By gradually transitioning to more current metrics, we give districts the time they need to adapt while making funding more transparent and sustainable.
Of course, these steps come at a time of growing fiscal uncertainty. The 2024 special session reset the property tax rate, reducing projected revenues. At the same time, rising Medicaid costs and voter-mandated law enforcement spending have squeezed the state budget. But even with these constraints, legislative leaders — House Speaker Julie McCluskie, Rep. Meghan Lukens, and Sens. Paul Lundeen and Jeff Bridges — have worked to ensure Colorado continues moving toward a more equitable and effective education system.
As the broader conversation about Colorado’s fiscal future continues — including tough questions about the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, federal unpredictability and declining enrollment — we must remember what’s at stake. Our students can’t wait. They need a system that sees them, supports them, and sets them up to succeed — not just survive.
House Bill 1320 won’t solve everything. But it preserves momentum at a crucial moment. Let’s keep moving forward.
Mark Sass of Denver taught high school in Adams 12 School District for 26 years, and was the executive director of Teach Plus Colorado.
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