(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that, in order for students to succeed at state-supported institutions of higher education, the Colorado public system of elementary and secondary education must have provided students with the skills and abilities necessary to make the transition to the postsecondary system. The general assembly further recognizes that the establishment of goals and standards for providing transition skills and abilities is the prerogative of the elementary and secondary public education system. The general assembly recognizes that, in establishing these goals and standards, the elementary and secondary education system should be in communication with the postsecondary education system regarding the skills and abilities that are needed to succeed in higher education. It is therefore the intent of the general assembly that the department, in consultation with the department of education, adopt necessary policies and procedures to facilitate the transition for students between the two systems.

(2) In consultation with the state board of education, appropriate school boards, and governing boards of state-supported institutions of higher education, the department and thegoverning boards shall adopt necessary policies and procedures to promote the establishment of a mechanism for postsecondary institutions to report back to the secondary public education system concerning:

(a) The skills and abilities, and the level of proficiency thereof, that first-year students at such postsecondary institutions need to have in order to succeed;

(b) The level of proficiency in such skills and abilities currently exhibited by first-year students;

(c) The level of achievement currently exhibited by first-year students; and

(d) Any other information that will provide a better transition for students between the two education systems.

(3) In consultation with the state board of education, governing boards of state-supported institutions of higher education, and appropriate school district boards, the department shall aid the elementary and secondary public education system and the postsecondary public education system in establishing a network to connect the faculty of postsecondary institutions with the teachers in school districts for the purpose of exchanging information.

(4) For purposes of this section, "postsecondary" means related to instruction of students over the age of seventeen years who are not enrolled in a regular program of kindergarten through grade twelve in a public, independent, or parochial school.

(5) Repealed.