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Governor Polis Calls Special Session of 72nd General Assembly


For Immediate Release

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Conor Cahill | [email protected] 


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CASB Letter to Governor Polis: Working Together

The following letter was sent to Governor Polis on Thursday, November 19 in response to the press conference held this week. 

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CDE News Release: School and district ratings to remain the same this year

Nov. 12, 2020
For more information, contact:
CDE Communications Division, 720-668-6434

News Release

School and district ratings to remain the same this year

Extension of K-3 teacher training requirement to be considered next week

DENVER – The Colorado State Board of Education at its regular monthly meeting Wednesday and Thursday extended the school and district ratings assigned in 2019 to this year. With the cancellation of state assessments in spring 2020, the accountability system was paused by Gov. Jared Polis’ Executive Order in March and later codified by the legislature in the School Finance Act. Districts and schools will not receive performance framework reports or updated plan types in 2020. 

Extension considered for READ Act K-3 teacher training 
In response to the challenges teaching are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the board considered providing kindergarten through third-grade teachers with a six-month extension to meet the READ Act requirement to complete evidence-based training in teaching reading. The board will take up the proposal again during a special meeting scheduled for Nov. 19. 

About 23,000 teachers in Colorado must complete the training, as required by changes the legislature made in 2019 to the READ Act. The legislation requires teachers to complete the training before the beginning of the 2021-22 school year and provides an allowance for CDE to grant a one-year extension if districts demonstrate a good cause for their inability to comply. The proposal considered by the board would extend the deadline to January 2022. 

In other action, the board declined to consider a district waiver application from the Education reEnvisioned Board of Cooperative Educational Services. The Innovation Schools Act gives only districts -- not BOCES -- the ability to request waivers from certain state statutes, so the board found the BOCES to be ineligible for the waivers under state statute.







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Troops to Teachers helps veterans start careers in the classroom

Troops to Teachers helps veterans start careers in the classroom
 

On this Veteran’s Day, CDE would like to highlight the work of Troops to Teachers, which helps military service members and veterans start new careers in the classroom. The program is run through the U.S. Department of Defense and provides counseling, financial aid and placement for veterans to help facilitate a successful transition to teaching. 

The Troops to Teachers consortium between Colorado and New Mexico, now in its third year, assists teacher candidates enrolling in educator preparation programs and veterans currently serving as educators in Colorado and New Mexico school districts. 

Click Here for Additional Information

For More Information, Contact:
Korey Brown
Phone: 303-945-5537
Email: [email protected]

Governor Polis Announces Millions in Education Grants for Colorado

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Conor Cahill |[email protected] 

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The Association of Latino Administrators Announces its New Executive Board

 

 

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Gov. Polis Provides Update on State’s Response to COVID-19, Urges Coloradans to Step Up & Do Their Part to Slow Spread of Deadly Virus

For Immediate Release

Monday, November 9, 2020

Conor Cahill |[email protected] 

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Denver teacher named 2021 Colorado Teacher of the Year Gerardo Muñoz teaches social studies at Denver Center for International Studies at Baker

Oct. 29, 2020
For more information, contact:
CDE Communications Division, 720-668-6434

News Release

Denver teacher named 2021 Colorado Teacher of the Year

Gerardo Muñoz teaches social studies at Denver Center for International Studies at Baker

DENVER – Gerardo Muñoz, a social studies teacher at Denver Center for International Studies at Baker in Denver Public Schools, was named Colorado’s 2021 Teacher of the Year in a special virtual ceremony today.

“I am honored and excited to announce that Gerardo Muñoz has been selected as Colorado’s 2021 Teacher of the Year,” said Colorado Education Commissioner Katy Anthes. “In an exceptionally tough year, we are grateful to have outstanding educators like Mr. Muñoz who dedicate their time and energy to supporting our students. Mr. Muñoz is a respected leader in his school and community. He encourages students to speak up on important issues and inspires them to pursue their passions. We are excited to watch his journey as our Colorado Teacher of the Year!”
 
As Teacher of the Year, Muñoz will represent the entire profession in Colorado and be the public face of Colorado’s teachers. He will be entered as Colorado’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year Program competition and will receive many professional development opportunities. Muñoz, along with the country’s other teachers of the year, will be honored at a special ceremony at the White House and get the opportunity to go to NASA’s Space Camp. He will also become a member of the Colorado Education Commissioner’s Teacher Cabinet.

“Mr. Muñoz is an incredible educator deserving of this honor,” said Susana Cordova, Denver Public Schools superintendent. “Mr. Muñoz taught both of my children while they were students in DPS, and I know firsthand how he impacted them during their time in his classroom. His dedication to his students is representative of many outstanding educators you will find in DPS classrooms. He inspires, guides and uplifts students on a daily basis, and I am honored to serve our students alongside him."







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10th anniversary ICAP Award nominations

10th anniversary ICAP Award nominations
Nominate your district or school for the 10th anniversary edition of the ICAP Awards. Access the Nomination form here. 

Awards will be given for:
• ICAP teams in 1) elementary school 2) middle school 3) high school 4) charter school and 5) district
• Promising Practices for integrated student-driven processes that are meaningful and equitable, and that emPoWeR students for Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness.

The ICAP Award committee, composed of ICAP facilitators and previous award winners, will review the answers and stories, models and/or examples of the ICAP process that you submit on the Nomination form.  Honorees will be featured in the upcoming PWR Playbook and in ICAP Birthday Showcases on 10th Birthday Tuesdays, January through May 2021.

Nominations will be accepted through Wednesday, Nov. 25. For more information, contact Robin Russel.

Click Here for Additional Information

For More Information, Contact:
Robin Russel
Office of Postsecondary Readiness
Phone: 720.576.2902
Email: [email protected]

Media Release: Colorado Receives Rural Broadband Grant


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, October 29, 2020

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State Board of Education adjusts budget reduction proposal

Oct. 22, 2020
For more information, contact:
CDE Communications Division: 720-668-6434

News Release 

State Board of Education adjusts budget reduction proposal 

Revised CDE budget identifies $11.5 million in proposed reductions for fiscal year 2021-22

DENVER –  The State Board of Education during a special meeting today revised the Department of Education’s budget proposal for the 2021-22 fiscal year to include a total of $11.5 million in proposed reductions.   

During its regular meeting earlier this month, the board identified $29 million in reductions to education grant programs and the department’s operating expenses, an amount equal to 10% of CDE’s discretionary budget. Those reductions were identified in response to a request for state agencies to identify a 10% reduction in their budgets because of the economic decline during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the most recent state budget forecast being more optimistic, the board fully restored proposed reductions in the School Counselor Corp Program, Concurrent Enrollment Expansion Grant, Career Development Incentives Program, Innovative Learning Opportunity Pilot, P-TECH and ASCENT. In addition, proposed cuts were reduced for BEST Cash Grants and Capital to Charter School Facilities.
 
The complete revised budget reduction proposal is available on the website. 

The revised budget reduction proposal will be submitted to the legislature in November for its consideration during the 2021 session.

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Colorado Lands USDA ReConnect Program Award for Rural Broadband Expansion

 

For Immediate Release

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Free copies of “The Little Red Fort” available for all preschoolers in Colorado

Free copies of “The Little Red Fort” available for all preschoolers in Colorado

The winning 2020 One Book Colorado selection has been announced. "The Little Red Fort", written by Brenda Maier and illustrated by Sonia Sanchez, will be available in English and Spanish through Sunday, Oct. 25, for every 4 year old in the state as part of the One Book Colorado program. Books are available through all public and military libraries in the state, as well as in every Denver Preschool Program classroom.

The program stems from the idea that providing young children with access to books promotes early literacy skills and helps parents and families serve as their children’s first and most important teachers. Research has shown that children are more likely to show up to their kindergarten classroom ready to read if they have had regular access to books and adults who read with them regularly. Visit the state’s new website, ReadWithMe.Today, to find tips and resources that can help parents make reading a part of their child’s daily routine.

Read the full news release here

Click Here for Additional Information





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Free and reduced-price meals outreach toolkit

Free and reduced-price meals outreach toolkit

Use the new free and reduced-price school meals outreach toolkit to market the importance of applying and promoting the availability of free school meals. Sponsors can access print-ready and web materials, customizable flyers, social media templates and talking points.

For questions email, free&[email protected].

Click Here for Additional Information

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Governor Polis, Public Health Officials Provide Update on COVID Response, Discusses Plan for Vaccine Distribution When Available


For Immediate Release

Friday, October 16, 2020

Conor Cahill |[email protected] 


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News Release: Free copies of "The Little Red Fort" available for every four-year-old child in Colorado

 
Oct. 13, 2020
For more information, contact:
CDE Communications Division, 720-668-6434
  Office of the Lt. Governor, Serve Colorado, 202-270-9272

News Release 

Free copies of "The Little Red Fort" available for every four-year-old child in Colorado

One Book Colorado's book of the year will be available through Oct. 25

DENVER – A total of 75,000 free copies of the children’s book “The Little Red Fort,” written by Brenda Maier and illustrated by Sonia Sanchez, will be available in English and Spanish through Oct. 25 for every four year old in the state as part of the One Book Colorado program. A copy of “The Little Red Fort” is available for any child who is, or has been, four years old in 2020. 

One Book Colorado, now in its ninth year, is a privately funded collaboration among Serve Colorado, the Colorado State Library, the Denver Preschool Program, Denver7, Mile High United Way, and public and military libraries across the state. Additionally, Denver Public Libraries has joined as the program’s virtual event partner for 2020.



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CDE News Release

Oct. 8, 2020
For more information, contact:
CDE Communications Division, 303-866-2334

News Release

State Board of Education advances $29 million budget proposal to legislature
Board approves computer science teacher grant funding

DENVER – The State Board of Education at its regular monthly meeting advanced a proposal to the legislature to reduce the 2021-22 budget for education programs and CDE operations by $29 million. The proposed reductions meet the request for state agencies to identify a 10% reduction in their budgets in response to the economic decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The proposed reductions were designed to minimize impact on literacy programs, prioritize support for struggling schools and protect the state’s most vulnerable students.

The proposal continues reductions made by the legislature in the 2020-21 budget to the Computer Science Courses Grant Program, School Counselor Corp Grant and the Local School Food Purchasing Grant. 

In addition, the proposal would trim the BEST Cash Grant program by $8,952,444, and reduce capital for charter schools by $3,182,076. The proposal also would save $1,014,000 by suspending social studies assessments that are typically given on a sampling basis to fourth and seventh graders. The proposal also reduces $500,000 from the Concurrent Enrollment Expansion Program and a $2 million reduction in the Career Development Incentives grant.

The proposal includes a $885,000 reduction in CDE operations and $972,000 in personnel. A full list of the proposed reductions is available on the website. 

Computer science grants for teacher training approved
In other action, the board approved the $335,000 in Computer Science Teacher Education Grants for the 2020-21 school year, including training provided through districts and coordinated by CDE.  The grants are designed to expand teachers’ capacity to provide instruction in computer science. 

Board supports governor’s budget request for Imagination Library 
The board voted to support Gov. Jared Polis’ budget request of $410,000 to establish the Colorado Imagination Library program. Colorado has 26 local communities participating in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a voluntary program that provides an age-appropriate book every month to participating children ages 0 to 5. 













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National Education Summit Oct. 9-10, 2020 Focuses on Equity and Leadership in Action

 

 

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CHSAA Legislative Council Candidate Deadline is Oct 23

CHSAA Legislative Council

Application process will open Sept. 10, 2020

CASB has combined its 12 regions into five CHSAA regions by geographic area and elects five school board members to serve on the Colorado High School Activities Association Legislative Council (CHSAA). In December 2020, there will be two seats open on the CHSAA Legislative Council:

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Gov. Polis Provides Update on Colorado Response to COVID-19


For Immediate Release

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Shelby Wieman | [email protected]


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