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State bill reshapes Ascent funding; PSD approves concurrent‑enrollment MOUs for 2025–26
Summary
The board approved concurrent- and dual-enrollment MOUs for 2025–26 while staff said state legislation will reduce Ascent per‑student funding for 2025–26 and restructure funding after 2026.
Poudre School District’s board on May 27 approved contracts and memoranda of understanding to continue concurrent- and dual-enrollment offerings for the 2025–26 school year, while district staff warned of a legislative change that will reshape the Ascent program for future cohorts.
Tanya Alcarez, the district’s director of career and innovation, told the board the Ascent Program — the district’s post‑graduation fifth year college support program — will be funded at $7,104 per participating student for 2025–26, down from $9,188 per student. She said the change follows state legislation she referenced in the presentation as “SB 25 3 15,” which lawmakers signed to consolidate and streamline postsecondary and workforce readiness (PWR) funding.
“The intent of this bill is to streamline and enhance our PWR programs,” Alcarez told the board, and the legislation will reallocate funding toward supports students access while still enrolled in high school rather than subsidizing a fifth-year Ascent cohort after graduation.
Why it matters District presenters said the 2025–26 cut to Ascent funding — though reduced per‑student — will cover tuition, books and fees for the students already qualified for Ascent next year. Staff estimated the budgetary effect in PSD’s general fund at about $700,000 reduced program funding for 2025–26. Starting in 2026 the Ascent program as currently structured is scheduled to be discontinued; state funding will instead be consolidated into a single PWR fund designed to encourage one of three “big 3” student outcomes before graduation: an industry credential, 12 postsecondary credits, or participation in work‑based learning.
District scale and access Alcarez and staff highlighted that PSD already has a substantial concurrent‑enrollment reach: staff said about 50% of PSD high‑school students earned college credit last year and that approximately 4,000 students (the presenter said roughly “4,106”) participated in concurrent enrollment; the district noted growth in college-credit attainment through the Career Tech Center and partnerships with Front Range and Aims community colleges. Alcarez said PSD ranked among the top districts in the state for Ascent participation (second to Greeley-Evans in the presenter’s summary).
Board questions and next steps Board members asked how staff will support students and families through the transition, and staff said outreach and education on financial aid options will be a priority. Kristen (last name not specified in transcript), who joined Alcarez for the presentation, said the district will focus outreach on FAFSA, Pell Grant eligibility, Colorado Promise, EmpowerED and other state supports to help students who would previously have relied on Ascent funding.
The board’s motion approved the 2025–26 MOUs with postsecondary partners; staff said they will return with implementation details and with analysis of how many students meet the new state “big 3” metrics prior to graduation.
Ending Staff told the board they will continue outreach and program adjustments in response to the legislative change and will report back with participation, budget and student-outcome data as the district plans for 2026 and beyond.
