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August deadline for teachers to complete evidence-based reading training

The deadline is approaching for Colorado’s educators who teach literacy to K-3 students to submit proof via the Colorado Online Licensing system that they completed their evidence-based training in teaching reading.

Teachers must complete the training by Monday, Aug. 1, and should submit their documentation by Monday, Aug. 15.

Please note that the READ Act training requirement is not mandatory to maintain a teacher’s license status in any way. The benefit of adding the READ Act training designation to an educator’s license is that the proof of completion will stay on the educator’s Colorado credentials for future years as they may change grade levels, schools, or districts.

Visit the K-3 evidence-based reading training teacher information webpage for additional information.

Request for recommendations: Colorado Talent Pool

CDE seeks recommendations for the Colorado Talent Pool, a roster of emerging classroom leaders who are distinguished teachers and principals. These educators may be candidates for advisory boards, task forces, and special recognition programs. Recommendations will identify educators who are of great value to their community and state and who may also ultimately be considered for prestigious recognition.

A minimum of five years in education is a must. Candidates are building-level personnel. They are typically classroom teachers as opposed to specialists and are recognized by peers and supervisors as unique in their growth. Occasionally a principal or specialist is considered. Educators who are outstanding but have not received other recognition are of special interest. The recommendation deadline is Friday, June 20.

For more information and to access the Talent Pool Recommendation Form, visit the Colorado Educator Talent Pool webpage.

Technical Advisory Panel for Longitudinal Student Growth will meet Friday

The Technical Advisory Panel for Longitudinal Student Growth will meet 1-4 p.m. on Friday, April 15. The public meeting will be held via Zoom.

The meeting agenda will focus on on-track growth and other accountability-related topics.

Visit the TAP webpage for additional information.

Pilot Opportunity: New Unified Improvement Plan template

The School Improvement and Planning team is looking for schools to participate in testing a new Unified Improvement Plan template and provide input to inform the next design phase of the template.

Participants will be selected to ensure a representative group of schools based on a variety of criteria, such as geographic region, school size and school performance rating. Interest forms are due by Monday, May 16.

For more information and to access the interest form, view the UIP template pilot flyer.

Unified Improvement Plan template rollover

Unified Improvement Plan templates for the 2022-23 planning cycle will be available in the UIP online system Friday, April 15. Districts will continue to have access to all past plans, but the system will default to the 2022-23 templates.

Some customized directions for UIP completion will be pre-populated in the “School/District Requirements and Information” tab of the UIP template. Additional directions will be made available once performance frameworks and federal identifications are released in the fall.

Visit the UIP webpage for additional information.

Apply for participation in the 2022-23 Dyslexia Pilot Program

CDE seeks applications for the Dyslexia Pilot Program. It will include up to five schools that will participate in the year-long program to pilot screening processes and implement intervention strategies for K–3 students who may have dyslexia. Through the pilot program, schools will receive no-cost training and support for K–3 teachers in using a pilot identification process for markers of dyslexia. Schools will be selected for participation this spring with implementation beginning in the summer and continuing through the 2022-23 school year. The program training hours will be able to be used to meet the special education training requirements under House Bill 20-1128.

Applications are being accepted through Monday, May 2.

Visit the Colorado Dyslexia Pilot Program webpage for additional information.

Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation Intent to Participate closing April 12

The TREP program, created by Senate Bill 21-185, allows for qualified students in an educator pathway to receive funding for up to two years of college tuition. Twelfth-grade students who are enrolled in at least one course in the educator pathway can qualify for this opportunity. Interested districts should submit an Intent to Participate by Monday, April 11.

Updates and additional details can be found on the TREP website.

In addition, encourage future educators to sign up with TEACH Colorado for access to resources to get a head start on their careers. TEACH Colorado provides a variety of free resources to aspiring educators. Future teachers are encouraged to sign up for free.

Additional information can be found on the TREP webpage on CDE's website.

Colorado's 2nd Annual State Youth Career Fair scheduled for April 18-21

The Colorado Youth Career Fair is Monday, April 18- Thursday, April 21, from 4-7 p.m. This free educational event is intended to expose Colorado youth to a broad sampling of career fields.

Registration is now open for youth as well as adults (families, educators, mentors).

Who Should Join CYCF?
1. Youth who want to know the many careers they can pursue, and to hear directly from professionals in those careers.
2. Counselors who want to enhance their ICAP guidance and broaden the minds of their students.
3. Parents who want their children to know how many options they can consider.
4. Administrators, Career & Technical Education Faculty, and engaged community members who want "careers" to be expansive and relevant for students.

Email [email protected] with any questions!

Visit the Colorado Youth Career Faith website for additional information.

Safe2Tell Ambassador applications open

Applications for the 2022-23 student ambassador program are being accepted until Sunday, April 17. Safe2Tell student ambassadors provide insight and feedback on the Safe2Tell program and ensure that the work stays youth-centered. Ambassadors serve as positive role models for their peers, share Safe2Tell resources with their schools, and help the program relate to students through impactful education, awareness, and marketing projects. Applications are available both in English and Spanish.


Contact [email protected] or call 720-508-6800 with any questions.

Visit the Safe2Tell Colorado website for additional information on the program.

Nonprofit food service account considerations for school year 2022-23

As next school year gets closer and the financial future of sponsors’ nonprofit food service accounts remains uncertain, CDE’s School Nutrition Unit asks that districts consider the following when budgeting for next school year:

  • Lower reimbursement rates are anticipated under the traditional operations of the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program in School Year 2022-23. Student meals will also be reimbursed based on free, reduced-price, or paid eligibility status.
  • Continued unpredictability with the supply chain could result in additional price increases on food and supplies. Districts are encouraged to check base-year contracts with food vendors to determine if price escalation language is included. It is also recommended to include price escalation language in any new solicitation released for next school year.
  • It is allowable for surplus funds in the nonprofit food service account to be held as a safeguard for the next school year. Surplus funds cannot be used to:
    • pay back the general fund for previous transfers
    • cover unpaid meal charges/delinquent debt
    • cover student paid meals
    • cover adult/teacher meals

For resources and training, visit the financial management webpage. For financial questions, contact Lyza Shaw at [email protected]. For procurement questions, contact Jenny Herman at [email protected].

Make a plan to complete K-3 teacher evidence-based reading training

All kindergarten through third-grade educators who teach reading and literacy skills in Colorado must complete their evidence-based reading training requirements by Monday, Aug. 1. Documentation that they complied with the K-3 evidence-based reading training requirements should be submitted by Monday, Aug. 15.

CDE offers two no-cost training options, including a self-guided online option. The deadline to register for face-to-face Summer 2022 Training schedules is Sunday, May 1.

Learn about the requirements to complete this training and the various training options available for K-3 teachers on the teacher training webpage.

Early Childhood Leadership Commission monthly informational town hall

The Early Childhood Leadership Commission will continue to host monthly informational Town Halls to provide updates about the Department of Early Childhood and Universal Preschool Program implementation process and opportunities to get involved.

Register for the next town hall via Zoom at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12. Spanish language interpretation will be available.

Deadline approaching to submit a CLDE Student Art Award application

Nominate elementary, middle or high school student art for the “Stronger Together” Student Art Award. All Colorado students are invited to explore the theme of “Stronger Together” as it relates to themselves, their families, friends, or wider community. This is an opportunity for students to reflect on how they or others have been, or might be, “Stronger Together” through the medium of fine art, including painting, drawing, photography, digital media, sculpture, pottery, etc.

Student art applications will be accepted until Friday, April 8.

Visit the CLDE webpage for additional information and to submit an application.

Accountability 2022 Frequently Asked Questions available

Ongoing developments in the policymaking process that impact accountability for the 2022-23 school year is featured in a new resource available on CDE's website. State accountability in 2022 is being shaped through state legislation and the State Board of Education. Information on federal accountability, e.g., ESEA identification of comprehensive support and targeted support schools is included, as well.

The accountability webpage will be updated as decisions about the state and federal accountability systems are available.

Apply to serve in the Dyslexia Working Group

A rural principal is needed to serve a two-year term on the Dyslexia Working Group.

The working group was established in the 2019 legislative session by the Colorado General Assembly through House Bill 19-1134. The legislation directs the Commissioner of Education to convene a Dyslexia Working Group to improve the identification of and educational support for students with dyslexia to improve their educational outcomes.

Applications will be accepted until Friday, April 1.

Visit the Dyslexia Working Group webpage for additional information and to submit an application.

Application Open: 2022-25 Educational Stability Grant

Applications for the 2022-25 Educational Stability Grant must be completed via the online application by Wednesday, May 4. The purpose of this funding is to address reducing educational barriers for students who experience high mobility by providing academic and social-emotional services and supports to highly mobile students.

Visit the Educational Stability Grant webpage for more information on how to apply for the grant.

Life After High School: Opportunities in the Trades webinar

Life After High School: Opportunities in the Trades presented by My Colorado Journey will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 20. This virtual event will feature a panel discussion on careers and other options for high school students after graduation.

Join Colorado Sun education writer Erica Breunlin, along with program leaders and educators from across Colorado to learn more about how students can explore careers and earn credits toward their career goals while still in high school.

Submit questions in advance to [email protected].

Register for the discussion via Eventbrite.

Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation application coming soon

The TREP program, created by Senate Bill 21-185, allows for qualified students in an educator pathway to receive funding for up to two years of college tuition. Twelfth-grade students who are enrolled in at least one course in the educator pathway can qualify for this opportunity. Interested districts should submit an Intent to Participate by Monday, April 11.

Updates and additional details can be found on the TREP website.

In addition, encourage future educators to sign up with TEACH Colorado for access to resources to get a head start on their careers. TEACH Colorado provides a variety of free resources to aspiring educators. Make sure the future teachers in your community are connected by encouraging them to sign up for free.

View the TREP program webpage for additional information.

The Facility Schools Model Workgroup requests input

The Senate Bill 21-274 Facility Schools Model Workgroup is looking for input from families, parents, guardians, current/former students as well as educational advocates about their experiences with facility schools.

The workgroup would like to hear first-hand experiences, both positive and opportunities for growth when educational needs exceeded what was available in a traditional classroom setting. These experiences could have taken place in a variety of placements including in-district or out-of-district and/or facility, program, service, or individual-based. The workgroup is also looking for input based on experiences when appropriate services were not available either in or out of the district. If you are willing to provide input, please click on the link below to complete a short survey. The survey is available in English and Spanish. If you need this survey in another language, please utilize the Google Translate option found at the bottom of the webpage. The survey will be available through Friday, April 15.

Parent, Student, and Advocate Survey

Padre, Estudiante, y Defensor Encuesta

Visit the Facility Schools Model Workgroup webpage for additional information.

Applications for the Facility Schools Board of Education

The Office of Facility Schools is seeking applicants for three open seats on the Facility Schools Board. The three open seats represent:

  • One person who represents school districts within Colorado and has expertise in special education
  • One person who represents facilities within Colorado
  • One person who represents students who receive educational services provided by an approved facility school in Colorado. This member may be a person who, as a child, received educational services provided by an approved facility school. This member may also be a parent of a student who is receiving (or formerly received) education services provided by an approved facility school.

The term of membership is three years. The board meets monthly. Members serve without compensation, except for reasonable reimbursement of expenses. Applications for the Facility Schools Board are due Tuesday, May 3. Applications can be emailed to Judy Stirman.