State Accountability

Colorado's Education Accountability System

Colorado’s education accountability system is based on the belief that every student should receive an excellent education and graduate ready to succeed. Successful schools and districts are recognized and serve as models, while those that are struggling receive support.

To support this goal, the Accountability and Continuous Improvement (ACI) Unit at CDE:

• Calculates Growth on CMAS, PSAT and English language proficiency
• Creates the School and District Performance Frameworks
• Accredits school districts and assigns school plan type assignments
• Reports student outcome data to the public and educators
• Assists districts and CDE staff in using student performance data to drive decision making

Overview

The Education Accountability Act of 2009 authorizes the Colorado Department of Education to conduct an annual review of the performance of public schools and districts in the state and to make recommendations to the State Board of Education concerning the type of school improvement plan to be implemented in each school and the accreditation category for each district.

State Accountability Overview Fact Sheet (PDF)

Accountability and Continuous Improvement Theory of Action

District Accountability Contacts

Accountability Contacts for the district will now be assigned using the IdM system. LAMs will assign the Accountability Contact role to the superintendent or the superintendent’s designees who will be responsible for

• Submitting the Accreditation Form,
• Receiving performance framework results and related data, including student Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
• Receiving accountability related communications

If you are interested in signing up to receive communications only, or would like to designate yourself as a contact for Improvement Planning work, fill out the Accountability and Improvement Contact Request Form.

For more information on the user set-up visit the online system set-up and management guide.

Latest Accountability Communications:

• (5/15/2025) Accountability Update (PDF)
  • Updates on Accountability related bills, contact updates, district profile reports, AECs, trainings and supports
• (2/3/2025) Accountability Update (PDF)
  • Frameworks and State Accountability, Accreditation Contracts, CDIP Updates, UIP Template Rollover, On Track Growth
• (12/11/2024) Accountability Update (PDF)
  • Finalized Frameworks, Accreditation Contracts, UIP Feedback
• (11/19/2024) Accountability Update (PDF)
  • SBE Approval of 2025 Targets, 1241 Updates, Accreditation, UIP Reviews
• (10/11/2024) Accountability Update (PDF)
  • Request to Reconsider - Actions needed, UIP Reviews, District Accreditation Contracts, 2025 Performance Framework Targets, 1241 Task Force
• (08/08/2024) Accountability Update (PDF)
  • Achievement and Growth Data Release Dates, ACCESS ISR PDF Label Error, Resources
• (7/23/2024) Accountability Update (PDF) and PSAT/SAT SBE Memo (PDF)
  • PSAT/SAT Update Memo, Contacts, Resources and Training Opportunities
• (6/28/2024) Accountability Update (PDF)
  • PSAT/SAT Update, TLCC Update, Upcoming Resources and Training Opportunities
• (6/12/2024) Accountability Update (PDF)
  • PSAT/SAT Accountability Study, Upcoming Data Release, Assigning District Accountability Contacts, Update to State Accountability Timeline, Updated Resources
• (5/13/2024) Accountability Update (PDF)
  • Accountability Timeline and Updated Resources
• (4/29/2024) Accountability Update (PDF)
  • TLCC Results, SBD Review, UIP Rollover and Template, UIP Feedback, UIP Resources
• (3/26/2024) Accountability Update (PDF)
• (2/22/2024) Accountability Update (PDF)
• (1/31/2024) Accountability Update (PDF)