Wednesday, April 21, 2021

** Action Item

This Week in The Scoop

Accountability & Improvement

Unified Improvement Plan template roll over
 

Templates for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 planning cycle will be available on Friday, April 30 within the UIP online system. Some minor template modifications will be released at this time, including bug fixes, simplification of submission requirements, and a simplified executive summary.

Click Here for Additional Information

For More Information, Contact:
Kirby Stein
School Improvement Planning
Phone: (720)454-2084
Email: [email protected]

Year 2 accountability pause and request to reconsider
 

With the passage of H.B. 21-1161, Colorado is pausing state accountability for a second year. Performance frameworks will not be calculated and published in fall 2021. Instead, district and school plan types will be rolled over from 2020 (which were rolled over from 2019). Unlike the Year 1 accountability pause, however, a request to reconsider process may be offered for schools and districts on the accountability clock (i.e., Priority Improvement, Turnaround). The department is currently working with stakeholders (including the Accountability Working Group) to design an amended request process. The State Board of Education is expected to consider rules to outline this process by early summer.
On Monday, April 5, the department submitted an accountability waiver request to the US Department of Education to pause identifying any new schools under ESSA for support and improvement (e.g., Comprehensive Support, Targeted Support).
More detail on the accountability pause can be found here. We will continue to update this webpage as new information and resources are made available.

Click Here for Additional Information

For More Information, Contact:
Lisa Medler
Accountability and Continuous Improvement
Phone: 303.866.6993
Email: [email protected]

Sign up to attend the 2021-22 SAC/DAC Networking series
 

Starting in the 2021-22 school year, CDE will be offering a series of monthly virtual networking meetings for members of School Accountability Committees (SACs) and District Accountability Commities (DACs) across the state. These convenings will include content from CDE, promising practices, and an opportunity to network and learn from other committee members. Meetings will take place from August through May on the second Tuesday of the month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Spanish translation will be available. To sign up and learn more visit the SAC DAC Networking series website.

Click Here for Additional Information

For More Information, Contact:
Lisa Steffen
Accountability and Continuous Improvement
Phone: 720-498-3020
Email: [email protected]

Optional matriculation & career development incentive program submission
 

The optional Career Development Incentive Program and Matriculation file submission window will close at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, June 30. Submitted files will be used for matriculation rate determinations for state accountability along with funding determinations for the Career Development Incentive Program (CDIP)

Prior to data submission, a completed intent to participate form must be submitted.

For information about the submission process, please see the guidance document here

Contact:

Marina Kokotovic
Postsecondary Readiness Coordinator
[email protected]

Dan Jorgensen, PhD
Accountability Support Manager
[email protected]
 

For More Information, Contact:
Dan Jorgensen, PhD
School Improvement & Planning
Phone: 3033458981
Email: [email protected]

Early Learning & School Readiness

** Apply for the ELG – Professional Development Grant
 

The 2021-22 Early Literacy Grant (ELG) Professional Development application is now open. Applications are due Monday, May 17.

This grant opportunity is to support Colorado educators in the implementation of scientifically and evidence-based reading programming and strategies for kindergarten through third grade (K-3) students. These funds are intended for early literacy professional development for elementary educators. 

There will be an application information webinar on Friday, April 23, from 10 to 11 a.m. Register here. 

Click Here for Additional Information

For More Information, Contact:
Laura Stelling
Preschool through 3rd Grade (P-3) Office, Teaching and Learning Unit
Phone: 7206189373
Email: [email protected]

Educator Talent

Application for Commissioner's Teacher Cabinet now available
 

The Education Commissioner’s Teacher Cabinet seeks new members to share hands-on classroom experience while helping shape statewide education policy.

Selected teachers will join continuing cabinet members and meet four times a year to advise Colorado Education Commissioner Katy Anthes and share how education policies and rules created at the state level unfold in classrooms across the state. New members will serve for two years, beginning in October 2021. The advisory group is made up of teachers from around the state, representing small, medium, large, rural, suburban and urban school systems.

To be considered, complete the application by Friday, Aug. 13. Additionally, applicants will need to submit a letter of interest, résumé, signatures and letters of recommendation to [email protected] by the deadline.
Click Here for Additional Information

For More Information, Contact:
Stacey Macklin
Commissioner's Office
Phone: 303-866-6646
Email: [email protected]

Family Partnerships

Join the FSCP P-12 Framework Collaborative in 2021-22
 

Collaborative teams may attend quarterly cluster meetings and receive coaching support from CDE using the Family, School and Community Partnership (FSCP) P-12 Framework and Rubrics to guide annual planning and implementation. Over the course of the school year, teams will determine starting points, strategies, progress monitoring benchmarks, as well as integration opportunities with the Unified Improvement Plan and Progress Monitoring tools. Sign up to participate by Friday, May 28.

Click Here for Additional Information

For More Information, Contact:
Darcy Hutchins or Lisa Steffen
Office of Family School Community Partnerships
Phone: 303-562-8175 or 720-498-30230
Email: [email protected]

News & Notes

Decision Day is April 30
 

On Friday, April 30, Colorado will participate in Decision Day, which honors all the pathways that graduating high school students can take. That can include going to university, community college, occupational school or participating in an apprenticeship or serving in the military.

Over the course of this year, high school seniors have been researching their various options, applying to programs, and filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA). Decision Day celebrates their hard work and recognizes their achievements and future goals.

On April 30, students, staff and community members are encouraged to wear gear to represent their favorite schools, alma maters or future programs to support students' future education aspirations.

For more information, visit My Colorado Journey.
 

For More Information, Contact:
Megan McDermott
Phone: 303.974.2495
Email: [email protected]