Colorado lawmakers are working to expand funding to help students who are learning English.

Pueblo Republican Rep. Clarice Navarro-Ratzlaff says she plans to introduce legislation next week that would change state law to increase funding to five years for students learning English. Currently, funding to help students lasts for two years.

Navarro-Ratzlaff says the current funding is not enough because only 1 percent of students reach English proficiency within two years.

Republicans say they've gotten support from Democrats for the measure. It would also direct state education officials to track the progress of English-language learners until they graduate from high school.