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Monthly literacy conversations to support students on READ plans beyond third grade

A Reading, Writing and Communicating Content specialist in the Office of Standards and Instructional Support will host a monthly virtual conversation examining the newly released guidance to support secondary students who remain on READ plans past third grade. The conversations will focus on writing READ plans, goal setting and progress monitoring, effective assessments and collecting a body of evidence to exit a student from a READ plan. The first session will be at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 29. Register for the sessions via Zoom

District Accountability Committee district admin networking

Register to join a virtual networking session at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29, for district staff who support DACs to share facilitation strategies, successes, opportunities and collaborative problem-solving. This session will focus on coordination between DACs, districts and local boards.

Colorado Academic Accelerator Program Grants competition open

Colorado’s Academic Accelerator Program applications are due by 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15. Intents to Apply are strongly encouraged and are due by 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1. 

CDE will host weekly office hours for 30 minutes at 9:30 a.m. every Thursday for potential applicants to ask the CO-AAP team any program or fiscal questions about the Request for Application. To access office hours Zoom links and recordings, application materials, technical assistance opportunities and resources, visit the CO-AAP webpage.

Teaching and Learning Conditions in Colorado survey is live

The statewide TLCC survey is live through Friday, Feb. 23. Association representatives or school leaders were sent survey codes the week of Jan. 15. Schools and districts need 50% participation and at least five respondents to receive results. For more information on survey coordinator assignments and headcounts or to track participation, visit the TLCC website

Supporting Community Agriculture and Local Education Systems grant

The U.S. Department of Agriculture  is accepting applications for a two-year SCALES grant, which will provide up to $150,000 to rural School Food Authorities. Applications are due by Monday, Jan. 26. Awards include technical assistance support from Lunch Assist.

The Early Literacy Assessment Tool Project: 2024-25 Letters of Intent to Apply

CDE is accepting letters of intent to apply for the 2024-25 ELAT Project. The project supplies a State Board-approved early literacy assessment tool at no cost to a school or district for teachers to obtain real-time assessments of reading skill levels of K-3 students. Use the Letters of Intent to Apply form to submit by Wednesday, Feb. 7. Learn more on the ELAT webpage.

Interim Final Rule: Establishing the Summer EBT Program and Rural Non-Congregate Option in the Summer Meal Programs

The USDA released an Interim Final Rule to amend the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program's Seamless Summer Option regulations to allow flexibility for rural program operators to provide non-congregate meal service. This rule is effective as of Dec. 29 and written comments may be submitted to the USDA by Apr. 29. CDE’s School Nutrition Unit will provide additional guidance through The Dish and upcoming training sessions.

Healthy Meal Incentive grants for small and/or rural School Food Authorities

Healthy Meal Incentives Initiative, Action for Healthy Kids is offering recognition awards to celebrate rural School Food Authorities that are making significant improvements to the nutritional quality of their school meals. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis through June 30. 

Teaching and Learning Conditions in Colorado survey codes sent to survey coordinators

Packets with bundles of survey codes have been sent to survey coordinators this week in preparation for the Wednesday, Jan. 24, launch of the TLCC Survey If you need information on the assigned survey coordinator, contact [email protected] or [email protected]

District staff supporting the TLCC survey may want to consider ways to promote the survey such as newsletter updates, social media campaigns and communications from the superintendent, board president or district leadership on the importance of participation and how the district intends to use the results. 

Help shape the new K-12 Teacher Externship Program

Take part in shaping the future of education and workforce development in Colorado through the K-12 Teacher Externship Program, a groundbreaking initiative from the Department of Labor and Employment in response to House Bill 23-1198. This program will allow teachers to immerse themselves in hands-on, work-based learning experiences tailored to STEM occupations and develop practical skills that will resonate in classrooms. Seize the chance to be at the forefront of this transformative initiative by taking just five minutes to complete this survey.

Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Cohort 11 Grant Competition now open

Colorado’s Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Cohort 11 grant applications are due by 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15. Intents to Apply are strongly encouraged and due Thursday, Feb. 1. Approximately $3 million in 21st CCLC funding will be awarded to establish or expand community learning centers. Grants awards will range from $50,000 to $180,000 per year per center with priority given to programs serving students in high-poverty, low-performing schools. 

CDE will host weekly office hours for 30 minutes every Tuesday at 9 a.m. for potential applicants to ask the 21st CCLC team any program or fiscal questions about the Cohort 11 Request for Application. To access office hours Zoom links and recordings, application materials, technical assistance opportunities and resources, visit the 21st CCLC Cohort 11 webpage.

Annual Local Food Purchasing Program 2023 Legislative Report

Read the Local Food Purchasing Program 2023 Legislative Report to learn more about the successes and challenges of the two-year pilot program to incorporate local food into child nutrition programs. Learn about key takeaways for the expansion of the program in the 2024-25 school year available to all sponsors operating the Healthy School Meals for All Program. 

Colorado Academic Accelerator Program Grant training webinars

The CO-AAP Request for Applications is due at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15. A training webinar video will be available on the CO-AAP webpage this week. Register here for office hours at 9:30 a.m. on Thursdays in January on the following topics:

Jan. 4 - Program design and participation
Jan. 11 - Budget discussion with Tricia Miller, CDE fiscal manager
Jan. 18 - Collaboration with CBOs, LEAs and external organizations
Jan. 25 - GAINS discussion with Mandy and Jess from CDE GAINS administration


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Teaching and Learning Conditions Colorado Survey coordinator training on Jan. 10

In preparation for the TLCC survey launch on Wednesday, Jan. 24, CDE and Panorama Education will host an optional survey coordinator training session. The hourlong session will include resources and best practices designed to ensure all districts and schools are prepared to support strong response rates and leverage results. 

Register here for the Zoom training at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10. A recording and the presentation slides will be shared on the TLCC Survey website.

For more information email Panorama Education at [email protected] or the CDE TLCC team at [email protected].

Exceptional Children’s Educational Act High-Cost Reimbursement applications

Applications and instructions are available for reimbursement of special ed high-cost student expenditures for the 2022-23 fiscal year. In Administrative Unit and Out of District applications are due Friday, March 1.  

For more information contact Vicki Graham at [email protected] or 720-237-7541.

Computer Science standards revision public comment closes Friday

Public comment for the proposed revisions to the Colorado Academic Standards for Computer Science closes Friday, Jan. 5. Input will also be collected on currently adopted standards for English Language Proficiency, Physical Education and World Languages. See the computer science standards review and revision webpage for more information

If you have questions about how to access the survey, contact Samantha Messier at [email protected]

Automatic Enrollment in Advanced Courses Grant now open

Applications for the 2023-24 Automatic Enrollment in Advanced Courses Grant are due  by Monday, Jan. 15. Check the grant website for detailed information on the application process, resources, and a new FAQ.

For more information contact Alena Barczak at [email protected] or 303-548-8427.

Computer Science Standards public comment period open

Public comment for the proposed revisions to the Colorado Academic Standards for Computer Science is open. Colorado residents are invited to provide feedback on the proposed revisions by Friday, Jan. 5. The public comment survey and proposed revisions are available on the Computer Science Standards Review Committee webpage. 

Email questions to Samantha Messier, director of Standards and Instructional Support, at [email protected].

Accelerated Exam Fee Program applications open

To increase the number of students who take the AP and IB exams, the Accelerated College Opportunity Exam Fee Grant Program provides funds to high schools to help students pay the exam fees. The application is due by Friday, Jan. 12.

For more information contact Marina Estrada Kokotovic at [email protected] or 303-866-6267.

Innovative Learning Opportunities Pilot Program Intent to Apply deadline next week

The Innovative Learning Opportunities Pilot Program supports a variety of learning experiences that usually occur outside of the classroom. Schools interested in participating during the 2024-25 school year should complete the Intent to Apply form by Wednesday, Dec. 6. The ILOP Application process webpage has more detailed information about the application process.

Learn more about ILOP here.  

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