(1) The general assembly finds and declares that:

(a) Diversity of teachers in K-12 classrooms is important not only because it helps provide positive role models for students but also because it offers a broader cultural understanding of learning strategies and needs;

(b) The most recent data for Colorado shows that while approximately forty-four percent of students in Colorado are minorities, only twelve percent of teachers are minorities; and

(c) Statewide, the number of minority teachers has not kept up with population growth and changes in student diversity.

(2) The general assembly therefore declares that it is a matter of statewide concern to study and develop strategies to increase and improve the recruitment, preparation, and retention of high-quality minority teachers in Colorado's public school system.

(3) The department shall study and develop strategies to increase and improve the recruitment, preparation, development, and retention of high-quality minority teachers in elementary and secondary schools in Colorado. On or before December 1, 2014, the department shall prepare a report on its findings, including current statewide and district demographics and recommendations, and submit it to the office of the governor, the state board of education, and the education committees of the house of representatives and senate, or any successor committees. The department shall present the report on its findings to the education committees of the house of representatives and senate, or any successor committees, on or before January 30, 2015.

(4) This section shall be known as "Aliyah's Law".