The Colorado Department of Education

Offices | Staff Contacts | Colorado.gov

About the Colorado Department of Education (CDE)

As a dynamic service agency, the Colorado Department of Education provides leadership, resources, support, and accountability to the state's 178 school districts, 1,780 schools, and over 130,000 educators to help them build capacity to meet the needs of the state's over 840,000 public school students. CDE also provides services and support to boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES), early learning centers, state correctional schools, facility schools, the state's libraries, adult/family literacy centers, Colorado Talking Book Library, and General Education Development (GED) testing centers reaching learners of all ages. In addition, CDE provides structural and administrative support to the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Charter School Institute.

As the administrative arm of the State Board of Education, CDE is responsible for implementing state and federal education laws, disbursing state and federal funds, holding schools and districts accountable for performance, licensing all educators, and providing public transparency of performance and financial data. CDE serves students, parents, and the general public by protecting the public trust through ensuring adherence to laws, strong stewardship of public funds, and accountability for student performance.

Vision Statement

All students in Colorado will become educated and productive citizens capable of succeeding in a globally competitive workforce.

Mission Statement

The mission of CDE is to shape, support, and safeguard a statewide education system that prepares students for success in a globally competitive world.

Strategic Plan

View Strategic Plan (PDF)

Goals

The department has four overarching goals. The goals are described in greater details in the strategic plan.

Globally Competitive Workforce

1. Build a globally competitive workforce.

  • Ensure every student is on track to graduate postsecondary and workforce ready.
  • Ensure students graduate ready for success in postsecondary education and the workforce.
  • Increase achievement and international/national competitiveness for all students.

Great Teachers and Leaders

2. Ensure effective educators for every student and effective leaders for every school and district.

  • Increase and support the effectiveness of all educators.
  • Optimize the preparation, retention, and effectiveness of new educators.
  • Eliminate the educator equity gap.

Outstanding Schools and Districts

3. Build the capacity of schools and districts to meet the needs of Colorado students and their families.

  • Increase school and district performance.
  • Foster innovation and expand access to a rich array of high quality school choices for students.

Best State Education Agency in the Nation

4. Operate with excellence, efficiency, and effectiveness

  • Develop, implement, and monitor CDE's new strategic direction.
  • Increase internal and external customer satisfaction with our communication, services, and systems.
  • Attract and retain outstanding talent to CDE.

For additional information, e-mail: hegele_n@cde.state.co.us