The Colorado Department of Education

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Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids (CAP4K)

(Added: 11/28/2008 | Last Modified: 1/21/2009)

Overview

The "CAP4K" reform was launched by Senate Bill 08-212, also known as the “Preschool to Postsecondary Education Alignment Act.” The legislation requires that the Colorado State Board of Education and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education adopt a description of “postsecondary and workforce readiness” by Dec. 15, 2009.

Senate Bill 08-212 seeks to establish a seamless pathway from preschool into college or the workplace. Essential to that pathway is an understanding of what it means to be ready for education after high school or for the workforce and a plan to ensure that students take the necessary courses and master the content.

The description of postsecondary and workforce readiness will provide a bookend to a description of “school readiness” due to be adopted by the Colorado State Board of Education in December, 2008.

The descriptions of school readiness and postsecondary and workforce readiness will guide final selection of new statewide model content standards (see separate reform initiative listing), which are being revised for the first time since they were adopted in the mid-1990's.

A statewide discussion is underway to answer three questions:

  1. What do students need to know and be able to do in order to be successful after they leave high school?
  2. What 21st century skills do employers require? What are the competencies a college professor expects from a freshman?
  3. Are special workforce skills needed in Colorado?

Progress to Date

To date, the Department of Education has:

  • Researched School Readiness descriptions.
  • Solicited federal and international readiness sources for feedback and designs.
  • Traveled to 13 Colorado Cities for evening town meetings.
  • Surveyed the state for ideas and discussion.
  • Met eight times with P-20 Councils or sub-committees on preschool and kindergarten issues and input on definition of readiness.
  • Presented draft to state groups.
  • Presented to the State Board of Education (November 2008) the final recommendation and public hearing for December adoption.

Anticipated Timeline

  • December 15, 2009: State Board of Education and Colorado Commission on Higher Education jointly adopt postsecondary and workforce readiness description.
    • On the same date, State Board of Education adopts preschool through elementary and secondary education standards.
    • On the same date, State Board of Education adopts high school graduation guidelines.
  • March, 2010: First report received from cost study (cost of school readiness description, preschool through elementary and secondary education standards, and postworkforce readiness description).
  • July, 2010: School districts adopt high school graduation requirements applicable to ninth grade students enrolling on or after July 1, 2010 (from House Bill 07-1118).
  • October, 2010: Second report from costs study (cost of school readiness assessments; system of assessments, and postworkforce readiness assessments).
  • December, 2010: State Board of Education adopts school readiness assessment, adopts preschool through elementary and secondary education assessment system and scoring criteria; makes legislative recommendations to General Assembly.
    • At the same time, State Board of Education and Colorado Commission on Higher Education adopts postsecondary and workforce planning, preparation and readiness assessments.
  • By June 2011: New statues enacted for preschool through elementary and secondary education system.
  • July, 2011: State Board of Education adopts criteria for postsecondary and workforce endorsed diploma; adopts critera for honors diploma, and may adopt criteria for other endorsements (State Board consults with CCHE and governing board for approval of readiness endorsement criteria). At the same time, local education providers may choose to begin endorsing diplomas following adoption of the criteria by the State Board of Education and approval of criteria by CCHE and governing boards.
  • October, 2011: Third report received from cost study (cost of diploma endorsements)
  • December, 2011: Local education providers review and revise their content standards to meet or exceed state preschool through elementary and secondary education standards to meet or exceed state standards and adopt new curricula as necessary. Local education providers review high school curricula against postsecondary and workforce readiness description and adopt postsecondary and workforce readiness program.
  • February, 2012: Colorado Department of Higher Education begins annual reports to State Board of Education and education committees concerning enrollment rate of persistence, and types of degrees attained for high school graduating classes.
  • Fall, 2012: Local education providers ensure that preschool and kindergarten students have individualized readiness plans to progress toward school readiness.
  • December, 2012: Local education providers implement new preschool through elementary and secondary education standards and new preschool through elementary and secondary education assessment system takes effect.
    • Local education providers implement postsecondary and workforce readiness program (and high school students begin enrolling).
    • Local education providers begin administering new assessments.
    • Colorado Commission on Higher Education adopts revised placement assessments and remedial policy.
    • Higher education institutions revise teacher preparation programs to teach to new preschool through elementary and secondary education standards.

As Soon As Practicable Under Federal Law:

  • The Colorado Department of Education submits amended state plan for federal peer review and approval.
  • February, 2013: CDE reports to education committees the results achieved through alignment of preschool through elementary and secondary education systems.
  • Fall, 2013: Local education providers begin administering school readiness assessment to kindergarten students.
  • December, 2014: Colorado Commission on Higher Education revises admission policy.

Ongoing Review and Revision of Preschool to Postsecondary Alignment

Every six years beginning July, 2015:

  • State Board of Education reviews / may revise school readiness description and school readiness assessments and preschool through elementary and secondary education standards.
  • State Board of Education and Colorado Commission on Higher Education review / may revise postsecondary and workforce readiness description.

Every six years beginning July, 2016:

  • State Board of Education reviews / may revise preschool through elementary and secondary education assessments.
  • State Board of Education and Colorado Commission on Higher Education review / may revise postsecondary and workforce readiness assessments.

Every six years beginning July, 2017:

  • State Board of Education reviews / may revise criteria for diploma endorsements.
  • Local education providers review their postsecondary and workforce readiness standards and curricula and revise if necessary.

http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeassess/documents/OSA/stand_rev.html

http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdegen/SB212.htm

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