The Colorado Department of Education has engaged in the standards development process on multiple occasions. The department uses a process that is shared across states and nations that is outlined below. This process would be followed to develop new standards should the state choose to change its math and reading, writing, and communicating standards. To follow the process with fidelity generally takes one year. Schools and districts then need at least two years to adequately transition to the new standards.
Overall, Colorado districts succeeded in administering the state's first online state wide assessments. Challenges were encountered along the way; however, districts and schools were committed to working through them in a manner that allowed students to complete testing. Lessons learned during the science and social studies administration and the PARCC administration will be invaluable to improving next year's assessment administration. Many of the issues and concerns expressed by districts affirmed the list of improvements that had already been identified and prioritized by CDE. CDE will continue to work with districts, schools, Pearson and PARCC to support districts in continuously improving future online administrations.
This guide is provided to assist districts and schools in providing appropriate accommodations for Colorado's English Learners (ELs). Work in the area of EL responsive accommodations is "new" and process oriented, that is, we are working to build Colorado's expertise and capacity in the area of EL responsive accommodations.
Standards-based education in Colorado begins with clear expectations that outline what students should know and be able to do at each grade level and content area. These expectations are outlined in the Colorado Academic Standards.
The purpose of this handbook is to provide an outline of the requirements and responsibilities for state, district and school stakeholders in the state's accountability process established by the Education Accountability Act of 2009 (SB 09-163).
Senate Bill 10-191 was passed in 2010 changing the way educators are evaluate and supported in Colorado.The new evaluation system provides principals, teachers and specialized service professionals with annual evaluations based on both professional practices and multiple measures of student learning or student outcomes.
