Guidance for READ Plans Beyond the 3rd Grade

CDE has comprised guidance for supporting students who remain on READ plans in Grades four through 12. The guidance is intended to provide all Colorado districts with research, resources and training opportunities to support students who remain on READ plans beyond the third grade.

The guidance and other information can be found on the READ Plan Guidance for Students in Grades 4-12 webpage.

Colorado Framework for Writing Instruction

The Colorado Framework for Writing Instruction is intended to support district and school level leaders in facilitating conversations with their literacy leaders, instructional coaches and teachers to develop a research-based framework toward the teaching of writing.

The framework and more information can be found on the Framework for Writing Instruction webpage.

School Nurse Professional Development grant application available

The School Nurse Professional Development grant, funded through CDC’s COVID-19 Public Health Workforce Supplemental Funding, will support local education providers in their efforts to provide professional development opportunities for school nurses that increase current school nurse capacity and/or retain qualified school nurses. Allowable expenses include:

  • School nursing professional development tuition and registration fees.
  • Travel expenses to attend school nursing professional development events, including lodging, per diem and mileage reimbursement.
  • School nursing professional development speaker and/or facilitator fees.
  • School nurse-related publications, such as reference texts.
  • School nursing professional dues
  • School nursing licensing renewal fees.

Approximately $100,000 is available for the 2023-24 school year. Awards will likely range from $1,000 to $5,000, based on the amount of funding requested and the number of applications received. See the Request for Applications on the program webpage for more details.

Youth vaping strategies sought by DOL

The Colorado Department of Law seeks information about strategies to combat youth vaping in schools and communities and the effectiveness of these strategies. In addition, the DOL seeks input on how grant funding could help address this issue.

If you have input on vaping affecting youth in Colorado, visit the DOL’s Funding Opportunity webpage.

The DOL is particularly interested in responses from school districts, BOCES and nonprofits who would potentially carry out a grant project focused on the prevention, abatement or cessation of youth vaping.

The DOL will release a Request for Applications for grant opportunities to address youth vaping in Colorado based on this input.

Facility Schools Board seat vacancy

Applications are being accepted for the Facility Schools Board of Education. The open seat represents one person from a state-level child placement agency within Colorado. The term of membership is three years, and the board meets monthly. Members of the board serve without compensation, except for reasonable reimbursement of expenses.

Send a resume and a cover letter/letter of interest by Saturday, Sept. 30, to Judy Stirman at [email protected].

Register for the free CDE Equity and Excellence Conference

Registration for the 2023 Equity and Excellence Conference is open. The free Equity and Excellence Conference, titled “Strengthening and Expanding Practices: All Students and All Educators Emerging Stronger,” will convene Nov. 1-2. The goal is for attendees from diverse professional backgrounds to strengthen and share ideas, strategies and plans for how to improve best first instruction through evidence-based and best practices.

Find out more on the Equity and Excellence Conference webpage.

Join a district/BOCES leader focus group

The Educator Development team is hosting a focus group to gain insights into the support needed for a successful transition to a district/BOCES leadership role. If you have made this type of transition within the last five years, consider joining CDE staff for a one-hour focus group 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, via Zoom.

Computer science standards revision update

Committee meetings begin this week for the revision of the computer science standards. Members of the general public may observe the meetings via Zoom. The schedule for the meetings is:

  • First committee meeting: Sept. 13, 4:15 - 6:15 p.m.
  • Second committee meeting: Sept. 20, 4:15 - 6:15 p.m.
  • Third committee meeting: Sept. 27, 4:15 - 6:15 p.m.
  • Fourth committee meeting: Oct. 4, 4:15 - 6:15 p.m.
  • Fifth committee meeting: Oct. 4, 4:15 - 6:15 p.m.

For more information or to view the committee meetings, visit the Standards Revision webpage.

RECRUITMENT NOTICE: Peer Reviewers for 2023 Colorado Charter School Program grant applications

The Schools of Choice Unit is conducting the 2023 Colorado Charter School Program Start-up Grant Competition and seeks volunteers with experience in charter schools to read and review grant applications. This program provides grant funds and technical assistance for up to four years to new and expanding charter schools across all of Colorado.

To learn more information about the CCSP Grant and upcoming competition, visit the CCSP webpage.

Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility grant program applications open

Eligible local education providers can apply for the Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Grant, which was created to provide menstrual hygiene products at no expense to students and make products accessible to students regardless of their gender identity. Approximately $100,000 is available to award for the 2023-24 school year, and awards are anticipated to be between $1,000 and $5,000. Funding can be used to acquire and distribute menstrual hygiene products at no expense to students and install and maintain dispensing machines and disposal receptacles for menstrual hygiene products. An informative webinar is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct 10. This program is open to Colorado educational providers who serve 50% or more students eligible for free or reduced-cost lunch.

Review the program website and Request for Applications for more information.

Register to attend training for CDE's new grants management system

CDE will host in-person and virtual training for the Colorado Grants Administration Implementation and Navigation System. Virtual training details will be posted on the GAINS Training webpage once confirmed. Spots are still available for the following in-person events next week:

  • Tuesday, Sept. 19, at Adams State College Campus in Alamosa. 
  • Wednesday, Sept. 20, at Pikes Peak BOCES in Colorado Springs.
GAINS will launch later this fall and will streamline and consolidate multiple CDE application systems and processes into a single location and system.

Registration information for these sessions and other upcoming in-person events is available on the GAINS Training webpage.

September CoMath Conversation: Making Sense of CMAS Data

Join September's CoMath Conversation to share and listen to other Colorado math educators as they make sense of the CMAS results and discuss possible implications for the 2023-24 school year. The conversation will be held via Zoom at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14. Zoom registration is required to attend.

Postsecondary Programs & Related Student Data Webinar

CDE's Student October Count team and the Postsecondary & Workforce Readiness team will hold a Collaborative webinar at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18, to discuss Postsecondary Programs and Related Student Data. Click here for more information or to join this webinar, which is for both postsecondary staff and data respondents.

2024 United States Senate Youth Program Application Now Available

The U.S. Senate Youth Program application for Colorado students is available.

The USSYP is an educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. The program brings the highest-level officials from each branch of government to meet with this outstanding group of young leaders -- two high school juniors or seniors from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity -- for an intensive week-long education and leadership program. For 2024, the 62nd annual United States Senate Youth Program Washington Week is being planned for March 2–9 in Washington, D.C. Each delegate will be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.

High school juniors or seniors with demonstrated leadership by serving in elected or appointed positions in which they are actively representing a constituency in organizations related to student government, education, public affairs, and community service, are eligible to apply.

Applications are due on Friday, Oct. 20. Visit this link for more information on eligibility, Colorado’s selection process and application. 

Regional Accountability support tour – In-person training, work sessions and consultation

Beginning next week, CDE's School Improvement and Planning team will offer in-person sessions to support district and school leaders with accountability and improvement planning efforts. Participants can select from multiple session options, including options for work time with available consultation of CDE staff.

Click here for training dates, location and registration links. 

CCSP Call for Grant Reviewers

The Schools of Choice is conducting the 2023 Colorado Charter School Program Start-up Grant Competition and needs volunteers with experience in charter schools to read and review grant applications. This program provides grant funds and technical assistance for up to four years to new and expanding charter schools. Click on this link to learn more about the CCSP Grant and upcoming competition or email inquiries to [email protected].

Insufficient State Data Ratings Webinar

Join this webinar for an explanation of the Insufficient State Data or ISD rating definition and description in the performance frameworks, and provide general considerations for improvement planning. Register here to join the webinar at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 8

Youth Advisors Selected and Appointed for the 2023-25 Colorado Academic Standards Committee

Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova selected and appointed two youth advisors to help review the state's education standards for the 2023-25 Colorado Academic Standards revision process. The two advisors are: 

• Sophie Tipper, Cherry Creek High School
• Coryn Cole, Clear Creek High School

Per legislation passed last year through Senate Bill 23-008, the youth advisors will serve a two-year term and may be able to serve more than one term.

Click Here for Additional Information

Computer Science Committee Applications Open

Based on guidance from the State Board of Education, CDE will move forward with minimal revisions to the high school computer science standards.

Those interested in applying to participate on the Computer Science Standards Revision Committee should complete an application by Thursday, Aug. 31.

The Colorado Academic Standards for English language proficiency, physical education, and world languages will remain unchanged until the next revision cycle in six years.

Click Here for Additional Information

Technical Advisory Panel for Longitudinal Student Growth

The Technical Advisory Panel for Longitudinal Student Growth will meet on Thursday, Aug. 31, at 1 p.m. The public meeting will be held via Zoom, the link to register is available on the TAP webpage.

Click Here for Additional Information