Anyelin Ortega told Colorado lawmakers recently that the lunch line at her high school can be 25 minutes long, often leaving the 17-year-old only five minutes to finish her food.

Lawmakers want to increase funding for students with greater learning needs, including students living in poverty, those learning English and students with disabilities.

Teacher retention remains a major challenge while total teacher compensation has decreased 20 percent since 2010.

With enrollments dropping statewide—and projected to continue—districts could view District of Choice as a strategy to stem the decline and bolster revenue that new students would bring. But few districts have seized the option.