BLOG

READ Act Updated Grades 4-12 Reading Interventionist Training

The free updated READ Act teacher training with a K-12 focus is available Tuesday, Aug. 1. To qualify for READ Act per pupil funding for the 2024-25 school year, districts must ensure K through third grade teachers hired on or after June 1, 2023 and fourth through 12th grade reading interventionists as defined by the READ Act and Rule complete the required training by Aug. 1, 2024.
Click Here for Additional Information

Stakeholder Feedback Opportunity

The Elementary Literacy and School Readiness team seeks school leaders to participate in a stakeholder opportunity in August and early September on the READ Act School Administrator Course.

All stakeholder members will earn a certificate of completion for the 20-hour leadership course to upload to the COOL system as evidence they have met the legislative requirement.

For questions, contact [email protected].
Click Here for Additional Information

Training: Educational Identification of Autism

Registration for the Educational Identification of Autism training for the 2023-24 school year is open. This training will be presented virtually over three separate rounds. Participants will receive a certificate for 12 CDE contact hours at the completion of the training. Each round includes four sessions, three hours per session.

See the flyer for additional details.

State Review Panelists needed for 2023-2024

Recruitment for experienced Colorado-based educators to apply for the State Review Panel has begun. The panel is assigned to evaluate schools and districts at the end of the Accountability Clock and provide recommendations to the State Board of Education on required actions when schools and districts fail to make progress.

Applicants with experience and expertise in school or district turnaround, alternative education, experience as a superintendent, English language learning expertise, and those who are able to read and write in Spanish and English are encouraged to apply. Applications are due by Friday, July 28.
Click Here for Additional Information

Highly Mobile Youth Learning Cohort - Virtual Convening #2

The Office of District Improvement Strategy and Student Support is hosting a virtual conference, Out of School Time for Highly Mobile Youth at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 9, 2023.

Participants will hear from leaders in Colorado who are implementing successful OST programming and learn about options for OST from CDE.
Click Here for Additional Information

2023 ACCESS for ELLs 2.0® Growth Files Released

The 2023 ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 student growth detail files and individual student reports have been provided to District Accountability contacts via Syncplicity. All 2023 ACCESS growth summary data will be incorporated within the Data Explorer tool and posted to CDE's website later this summer.

For questions related to Syncplicity, training support and/or the Colorado growth model, email [email protected].

High-Cost Allocations Posted

The State Board of Education approved the 2023 High-Cost Allocation recommendations of the Special education Fiscal Advisory Committee on June 14.

Notifications were sent out via email on June 14 to the contacts listed in the application for administrative units receiving funding. Recipients can find detailed information of their award using the path of Documents/Fiscal/High-Cost/2022-23 in the Ascend DMS system.

Payments will be made by Friday, June 30.

Click Here for Additional Information

EARSS Grant Application

The Expelled and At-Risk Student Services grant program request for applications is available with the award offering a six-month planning period in the spring of 2024 followed by up to four years of implementation funding.

This grant will provide educational services to expelled students, students who are identified as at-risk of expulsion, or of dropping out of school due to chronic absenteeism. Eligible applicants include school districts, charter schools, alternative schools within school districts, nonpublic schools, BOCES and facility schools.

The deadline to apply is Monday, Aug. 21.

Click Here for Additional Information

Technical Advisory Panel: Membership Opportunity

CDE seeks one at-large member and one representing an advocacy organization to serve on the Technical Advisory Panel for Longitudinal Growth. TAP advises the department on the implementation of the Colorado Growth Model and the Educational Accountability Act.

Applicants must demonstrate some level of expertise in educational assessments, growth models, research and/or accountability.

TAP members are appointed by the commissioner of education and serve three-year terms without compensation. Candidates must submit a statement of interest and resume. All applications are due by Friday, June 30. The selected candidate will be notified prior to Friday, July 14.

Click Here for Additional Information

Stakeholder Feedback Opportunity

The Elementary Literacy and School Readiness team is seeking school leaders to participate in a short stakeholder opportunity in August and early September to offer direct input on the usability and content within the Read Act School Administrator Course.

All stakeholder members will earn a certificate of completion for the 20-hour leadership course to upload to the COOL system as evidence they have met the legislative requirement.

For questions contact [email protected].

Click Here for Additional Information

Applications for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program now open

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program application is due by Friday, June 30, in the Colorado Nutrition Portal. Application instructions are available on the FFVP webpage. Eligible elementary schools include those:

  • Participating in the National School Lunch Program
  • With at least 50% free or reduced-price eligible students enrolled
  • Able to operate FFVP throughout the entire school year

Facility Schools Board Seat Vacancy

The Office of Facility Schools seeks applicants for the recently vacated state placement agency seat on the Facility Schools Board. The open seat represents state-level child placement agencies.

Members of the board serve for three years and meet monthly without compensation, except for reasonable reimbursement of expenses.

Applications, including a resume and a cover letter are due Friday, June 30, and can be emailed to Judy Stirman at [email protected].

Capital Construction Assistance Board Vacancies

CDE's Capital Construction Assistance Board is looking to fill three vacancies by August 2023:

  • Administrator: One member who is or has recent experience as a public school superintendent or administrator, to be appointed by the State Board of Education.
  • Construction Manager: One member who is a construction manager with experience in public school facilities construction projects, to be appointed by the Governor’s Office.
  • Technology Expert: One member who has expertise in technology, including but not limited to technology for individual student learning and classroom instruction, to be appointed jointly by the minority leaders of the house of representatives and the senate.

Deadline to apply is June 30. Email questions to [email protected].

Click Here for Additional Information

State Board of Education Approves Kindergarten School Readiness Assessment Tools

The State Board of Education approved assessment tools for meeting kindergarten school readiness assessment requirements which will go into effect beginning School Year 2023-24.

Click Here for Additional Information

Expanded Learning Opportunities Summer Grant

Expanded Learning Opportunities Summer Programming Grant applications are due Monday, July 10. The ELO Summer Programming Grant is intended to support districts and community-based organization in creating new, or expanding existing, expanded learning opportunities. This program will be funded under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, ESSER III, state reserve.

Each application that receive an award may use the funds to carry out a broad array of summer program activities. Summer programs are those that occur outside of the traditional school year including, but not limited to:

  • Summer camps
  • Ninth grade academies
  • Summer credit recovery programs
  • Summer library literacy programs
  • Back to school academies (e.g., jump start programs)

High-Cost Allocations Posted

The State Board of Education approved the 2023 High-Cost Allocation recommendations of the Special Education Fiscal Advisory Committee at its June meeting.

Notifications were sent out via email on June 14th to the contacts listed in the application for Administrative Units receiving funding. Recipients can find detailed information of their award using the path of Documents/Fiscal/High-Cost/2022-23 in the Ascend DMS system.

Payments will be made by June 30th.

Access the 2023 High-Cost Allocations.

Technical Advisory Panel At-Large Membership Opportunity

CDE seeks one at-large member to serve on the Technical Advisory Panel for Longitudinal Growth, which advises the department on the implementation of the Colorado Growth Model and the Educational Accountability Act.

Applicants must demonstrate some level of expertise in educational assessments, growth models, research and/or accountability.

TAP members are appointed by the commissioner of education and serve three-year terms without compensation. Candidates must submit a statement of interest and resume. All applications are due by Friday, June 30. The selected candidate will be notified prior to Friday, July 14.

Click Here for Additional Information

Applications for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program now open

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program application is due by Friday, June 30, in the Colorado Nutrition Portal. Application instructions are available on the FFVP webpage. Eligible elementary schools include those:

• Participating in the National School Lunch Program
• With at least 50% free or reduced-price eligible students enrolled
• Able to operate FFVP throughout the entire school year

Apply for the Dyslexia Working Group

Applications are open for three open positions for the Dyslexia Working Group, which will analyze state and national data and processes concerning the identification of and support for students with dyslexia to recommend tools, and processes and develop educator training as part of a statewide plan for dyslexic students.

The following positions are open:

• A state or national dyslexia expert
• An elementary grade teacher
• A faculty member of an institution of higher education who teaches in an approved educator preparation program for elementary-grade teachers
Online applications will be accepted through Friday, June 23.

Click Here for Additional Information

State Board of Education Approves Kindergarten School Readiness Assessment Tools

The State Board of Education approved assessment tools for meeting kindergarten school readiness assessment requirements, which will go into effect beginning School year 2023-24.

Click Here for Additional Information