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Susan Meek
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 17, 2019

Jeffco Innovation Acceleration Fund recognized with the 2019 CASB Student Achievement Program Award

DENVER — The Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) recognized the Jeffco Innovation Acceleration Fund in Jeffco Public Schools for the Student Achievement Program Award for a high school program. 

CASB accepted nominations from districts across Colorado showcasing programs that excel in student achievement. Examples of district programs submitted included student-led STEM engineering, personalized blended learning, internships, biomedical science, college preparation, CTE, manufacturing and carpentry. 

The Jeffco Innovation Acceleration Fund was created two years ago to invest in innovation and ideas to improve the learning experiences and outcomes for students. At that time, it was available to all Jeffco staff. In its third year, it is now available to students so that they may bring their ideas for improving education to life in their schools and communities. In this first student submission year, 20 applications were received, which were vetted through crowd based voting and even though the recipients have not yet been revealed for this year’s funding, we’ll see some great ideas that come to fruition, which may include STEM equipment for an after-school club, support for an environmental club and much more. The innovation fund categories range from small requests of less than $5,000 to big requests of more than $50,000.  In the submission process, students were asked to describe how their idea will impact the student experience, who their partners will be whether they are on campus or from the community, and quantify the students, teachers and leaders their idea implementation will impact. 

The award was presented by Martha McGill of CenterPoint Energy and Leslie Bogar, CASB Director of Professional Learning, at the annual awards luncheon on Friday, December 6, where more than 500 education leaders gathered to celebrate excellence in public education. This is the second year CASB selected student achievement programs to honor and showcase at the awards luncheon. “Celebrating student voice is a top priority for CASB,” said Bogar. “It’s wonderful we are now in our second year of the Student Achievement Program Award as it allows us to share the positive stories of student access that occur on a daily basis across our state.” The other Student Achievement Program Award went to Craig Middle School in Moffat County RE-1 School District.

The Awards Luncheon was held during CASB’s annual Convention last week. More than 1,100 school board members, superintendents, and education leaders from across Colorado gathered in Colorado Springs for professional development and networking. CASB is the only statewide organization that advocates for school board leadership in Colorado. It works to promote the interests and welfare of Colorado’s 178 school districts. CASB uses its expertise and collective state presence to provide cost-effective services and information to enable locally elected boards of education to operate efficiently and effectively in an increasingly complex and resource-challenged environment.