CONTACT
Melissa Gibson, CASE
[email protected]
303-815-5490

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 3, 2019

Colorado public education associations support superintendent concerns about proposed changes to accountability system

The Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE), the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB), and the Colorado Education Association (CEA) have announced their support of the letter sent by 142 district superintendents and BOCES Executive Directors to the State Board of Education and Commissioner Katy Anthes about their concerns regarding proposed changes to the state accountability system. A similar letter was also sent by the CEA, which represents 38,000 educators across the state. Superintendents, CASE, CASB, and CEA urge the State Board of Education to slow down their work and engage with the education field to identify the key components of a truly fair and comprehensive accountability system.

Over the past ten years, there have been a number of changes made to the system that have resulted in new framework ratings and required actions for schools and districts. The State Board of Education is currently considering changes to the cut scores on accountability ratings to make it more difficult for schools to earn top ratings. This attempt to protect the top ratings, however, would adversely impact schools and students at all levels of the accountability rating system. These proposed changes would further impact the priorities and work of districts, which in turn affects student learning. The ratings of the current system are largely reflective of the demographics of the local community, and the proposed new changes would increase pressure on schools that serve the most at-risk populations.

Superintendents, BOCES Executive Directors, along with CASE, CASB, and CEA, also believe that the shift away from growth scores fails to recognize that students come to school at different starting points and that standardized tests are a very limited measurement tool. These tests have a strong correlation with student demographics and poverty, which are factors outside the control of the child’s school and district. It is critical that the state accountability system recognize the growth and improvements students make with support from their teacher and school, regardless of the starting point and background of each student.

Problems with the existing accountability system, coupled with concerns about the new proposed changes, need to be addressed through collaborative discussion by the education field, the State Board of Education and CDE, and lawmakers. Central to these discussions is an understanding by the State Board of how the current system impacts districts, schools and students, and what possible changes should be considered to ensure a supportive, rather than punitive, system.

There is an opportunity for public comment about these proposed changes at the October 10th meeting of the State Board of Education at 10am, and representatives from CASE, CASB, and CEA will be in attendance.

# # #