Announcement
National Poetry Recitation Contest Offers Additional Resources for Colorado Teachers
Attn: Principals (grades nine-12)
The 2008-2009 Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest is underway for all high school students (grades nine through 12 only) in the state of Colorado. The program builds on the recent resurgence of poetry as an oral art form, and encourages the nation’s youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance. The program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about their literary heritage.
To be eligible to participate in the contest you must use the materials offered by the Poetry Foundation, provided by the Colorado Council on the Arts. Poetry Out Loud materials are available on the Colorado Council on the Arts Web site at the link below.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Karol Gates
Office of Teaching and Learning
Phone: 303-866-6188
Email: gates_k@cde.state.co.us
LIVE CSAP Training (Administration and Logistics)
Attn: District Assessment Coordinators
Who should attend?
New District Assessment Coordinators (DACs) who still have questions about the numerous responsibilities in addressing the administration and logistics for our assessments. Veteran DACs who prefer the interaction with our CDE assessment team and other DACs.
*This voluntary training is in addition to the required online CSAP administration and logistics trainings that are currently provided on CTB Navigator. The training will cover the same topics and information.
Registration
Please register no later than Wednesday, Jan. 14, so CDE can get an accurate lunch count. The training is open to all DACs, who may also bring one other person of their choice. You may register by contacting Julie Banuelos by phone at 303-866-6929 or by e-mail at banuelos_j@cde.state.co.us.
Training Information (Monday, Jan. 26 from 9:30 am. to 2 p.m.)
Location
Temple Emanuel (now known as Congregation Emanuel)
51 Grape Street,
Denver, CO, 80220
Map at link below
Last year, registration went well and mostly new DACs attended the training for additional support and information.
REMINDER: The required CSAP and state assessment logistics trainings are available on CTB’s Navigator Web site. Both trainings can be found under “My Programs” and “Forms and Registrations.” They are available for DAC access 24/7 throughout the testing windows.
Attendance is taken for these trainings based on completion of the corresponding surveys. The link to each survey can be found under “Forms & Registrations.”
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Andrina Aragon
Student Assessment
Phone: 303-866-6664
Email: aragon_a@cde.state.co.us
Vouchers for Online Students Taking the COACT
Attn: District Assessment Coordinators
If you have online 11th grade students, please be sure to remember the deadline to request vouchers for 11th grade online students taking the COACT are due Friday, Jan. 9. If you have questions and/or concerns do not hesitate to contact Christine Deines at the contact information below.
For More Information, Contact:
Christine Deines
Student Assessment
Phone: 303-866-6877
Email: deines_c@cde.state.co.us
Statute and Regulation Changes for the Public School Construction Permitting Process
Attn: Superintendents, Operation Managers and Facility Directors
Changes in the statute 22-32-124 C.R.S. took effect August 6, 2008. Regulation 7 CCR 1101-7 was updated with these changes October 24, 2008. These documents are available at the Colorado Dept. of Labor & Employment, Division of Oil and Public Safety’s Web site: http://oil.cdle.state.co.us/
Noted below are important changes that will impact public school construction, including additions, alterations, repair, moving, demolishing, or change of occupancy.
1) As of January 1, 2009 The Division of Oil and Public Safety (OPS) adopted the 2006 International Building Code, Mechanical Code, Energy Conservation Code, Existing Building Code, Fire Code and Residential Code.
2) Statute and regulations may require projects permitted by OPS to have third party inspections conducted by inspectors certified by OPS.
3) Regulatory updates now provide an option for school districts regarding minor repair and installation work. The scope and details for the annual permit can be found on our Web site.
4) A school district may chose to utilize a Pre-Qualified Building Department (PBD), pre-qualified by OPS, which has executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the state of Colorado, for the purpose of performing plan reviews, collecting plan review fees, issuing permits and the Certificate of Occupancy.
Please visit the Web site and become familiar with the new statute and updated regulations. The items above are not inclusive of all of the changes you will find.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Joseph Montoya, Project Manager
Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Oil and Public Safety
Phone: 303-318-8508
Email: Joseph.Montoya@state.co.us
Event
Teaching and Learning Survey Kickoff Meeting
Attn: Superintendents, Administrators, Principals, Teachers
In accordance with HB 08-1834, CDE is preparing to launch a Teaching and Learning Survey statewide in spring 2009. By surveying all school-based licensed educators about their teaching conditions, data from participants can be compiled and analyzed at the school, district and state levels. The results can be used for school and district improvement planning and to inform policy discussions throughout the state. The New Teacher Center has been selected to conduct the survey.
A kickoff meeting for this initiative will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 13, from 1 to 4 p.m. at 1560 Broadway in downtown Denver, Suite 1250. Space is limited so interested individuals are asked to confirm by e-mailing or calling Tina Tamayo (tamayo_t@cde.state.co.us, 303-866-6705) by Monday, Jan. 12. The meeting will provide detail about the initiative and begin discussions for how the survey will be conducted.
For More Information, Contact:
Lisa Medler
Office of Federal Program Administration
Phone: 303-866-6993
Email: medler_l@cde.state.co.us
Federal Programs
Recruitment and Retention Grant
Attn: Title II - A, Federal Programs, Human Resource Contacts
The request for proposal (RFP) for the 2008-2009 Recruitment and Retention grant is now available! The deadline is Monday, Jan. 26.
The intent of this RFP is to solicit applications from local education agencies to fulfill requirements of Title II, Part A. In particular, this grant is designed to enable districts to assess staffing needs and consider innovative approaches to addressing those needs. This includes examining the equitable distribution of experienced, qualified and effective teachers and increasing Colorado's statewide percentage of highly qualified teachers and Title I paraprofessionals to 100 percent. The RFP and budget are available online at the link below.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Mariah Aldinger
Office of Federal Program Administration
Phone: 303-866-6250
Email: aldinger_m@cde.state.co.us
Important Due Date
CELApro Student Biographical Data Review Open March 9 - 20, 2009
Attn: District Assessment Coordinators, Automated Data Exchange (ADE) respondents
In order to give districts enough time to prepare for the upcoming CELApro Student Biographical Data (SBD) review, we have posted the 2008-09 CELApro SBD "File Layout and Field Definitions" and "Edits, Errors, and Warnings" documents on the ADE Web site at the link below.
Important 2008-09 CELApro SBD dates:
1. 2008-09 CELApro Ncount: March 2-6
Specific dates may change based on receipt of CELApro test books by CTB and the completion of scanning. Test books must be shipped to the CTB scoring center by Friday, Feb. 6. Ncount is an online process through Navigator (CTB.com) for districts to confirm all completed CELApro test books have been received and scanned by CTB.
2. 2008-09 CELApro SBD window: Monday, March 9 (8 a.m.) through Friday, March 20 (Noon)
Please note: CELApro Ncount and SBD dates may change slightly based on receipt of booklets and completion of scanning.
3. More information about the 2008-09 SBD Manual and online SBD training will follow.
The purpose of SBD is to give districts the opportunity to review and make corrections to the demographic data associated with student test scores, which can have an effect on how the scores are reported for accountability purposes. SBD is dependent on test books being returned to CTB in a timely manner. If the books cannot be scanned in time, SBD cannot happen.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Margaret Lake
Student Assessment
Phone: 303-866-6802
Email: lake_margaret@cde.state.co.us
News
Alternative Compensation Grant Resources Available to Download
Attn: Superintendents, Board of Education Members, Director of the Colorado Charter School Institute, Director of the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, BOCES Directors
Interested in finding research and resources on alternative teacher compensation? CDE has just posted a series of reports and studies at the link below. The Web site also includes alternative teacher compensation information from Governor Ritter's P-20 Council.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Anne Marie Roberts
Professional Services
Phone: 303-866-6648
Email: roberts_a@cde.state.co.us
Reminder
National Board Certification Stipend Applications Due to School Districts January 15
Attn: Superintendents, Board of Education Members, Director of the Colorado Charter School Institute, Director of the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, BOCES Directors
School Districts are reminded to encourage their teachers who have earned certification through the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards to submit their applications for a newly-legislated stipend. The deadline for teachers to submit their applications to either their school district or the Colorado Charter School Institute, (in the case of charter schools), is Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009.
The school district and CCSI have until Friday, Jan. 30 to send their teacher forms to CDE.
Teachers can receive a $1,600 teaching stipend. The stipend will be distributed to the school districts through CDE. The distributions will be made in April to the school districts for payment to the teachers in May. To be eligible for the new stipend, the National Board Certified teacher must be employed to teach in a Colorado public school district, grades K-12, on a teacher’s salary scale. The stipend may be pro-rated for less than full-time employment
The stipends were created through the passage of House Bill 08-1384 during the last legislative session. A second and additional $3,200 stipend will also be awarded for those teaching in schools which received low or unsatisfactory ratings on the previous year’s school accountability report. Stipend forms can be found at the link below.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Anne Marie Roberts
Office of Professional Services
Phone: 303-866-6648
Email: roberts_a@cde.state.co.us
Alternative Compensation for Teachers Grant Technical Help Is Available; Register To Attend Clinic Jan. 12 at CASB
Attn: Superintendents, Boards of Education Members, the Director of the Colorado Charter School Institute, the Director of the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, BOCES Directors
Applicants needing help or advice with preparing their proposals for the new Alternative Compensation for Teachers Grant are encouraged to attend a special briefing session next Monday, Jan. 12 from 2 - 4 p.m. The briefing will be held at the Colorado Association of School Boards, 1200 Grant Street, in Denver.
The grant was funded through House Bill 08-1388 for districts to develop and design alternative ways to compensate teachers. There is $980,000 available to be granted to school districts, the Colorado Charter School Institute, the School for the Deaf and Blind and Colorado BOCES. Individual charter schools must apply with the Charter School Institute or with their school district, not individually. Grant applications are due to CDE on Friday, Jan. 30 at 4 p.m.
In addition to receiving information about the grant program and its purpose, districts will learn about successful alternative compensation plans and the elements of such plans from experts who have been involved in their development. There will be plenty of time for questions and dialogue.
Technical help is also being provided through federal Title II funding. For technical help, please contact Jacki Paone at 303-278-7644 or jacki.paone@gmail.com.
Those seeking to attend the briefing are asked to call CDE to indicate the number that will be attending. To attend, please call 303-866-6648 and leave a message indicating the name of the attending district or agency, the number attending and a contact person and phone number. Members of the proposal committee who are attending should bring a copy of the RFP and related questions.
Parking at CASB is limited.
The building closes at 4:30 p.m., so please be on time for the meeting to start promptly at 2 p.m.
If your district is unable to come to the meeting, due to weather or distance, a few video conferencing spots may be available. To attend via the airwaves, your district will need to download a special program and you will need a computer with a microphone and either speakers or headphones. Slots are limited, so please contact CDE immediately to set up before the meeting on Monday.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Anne Marie Roberts
Office of Professional Services
Phone: 303-866-6648
Email: roberts_a@cde.state.co.us
Precoded Labels Collection Closes Wednesday, Wednesday, Jan. 7
Attn: District Assessment Coordinators and Automated Data Exchange Respondents
This is a brief reminder that the 2008-2009 Precoded Labels Collection for CSAP, CSAPA, and COACT will close Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the end of the day (not noon as indicated in the earlier e-mail).
Unlike other CDE Automated Data Exchange collections you may have participated in that have rolling cut off dates or multiple window extensions, assessment ADE collections are voluntary and have windows that cannot be extended. These windows are set in advance based on when test vendors need the data in order to print barcode labels or other reports.
For More Information, Contact:
Jim McIntosh
Student Assessment
Phone: 303-866-6979
Email: mcintosh_j@cde.state.co.us
COACT Training (Registration Reminder and January Training Schedule)
Attn: District Assessment Coordinators
Colorado ACT 2009 Administration Training
High School COACT Team (ACT Invitation Only/Required)
If you have been appointed by the principal as your school's test supervisor, back-up test supervisor or test accommodations coordinator and are trying to register for the required state testing training workshop, please contact ACT at 800/553-6244, ext. 2800.
New District Assessment Coordinators (Voluntary)
If you are a newly appointed district assessment coordinator, interested in learning about the grade 11 COACT functions in your district’s high schools, you may register by contacting ACT at 800/553-6244, ext. 2800.
Training Schedule (January 12,14,15,16)
All training workshops will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at noon.
-Monday, Jan. 12 in Grand Junction
-Wednesday, Jan. 14 in Pueblo
-Thursday, Jan. 15 in Greeley
-Friday, Jan. 16 in Denver (THIS TRAINING SITE IS FULL.)
For More Information, Contact:
Christine Deines
Student Assessment
Phone: 303-866-6877
Email: deines_c@cde.state.co.us
CELApro Testing Window and Return of Testing Materials to CTB
Attn: District Assessment Coordinators
Please remember the CELApro testing window is Friday, Jan. 2 to Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Return of testing materials to CTB must be scheduled on or before Wednesday Feb. 4. Districts will need to know the number of boxes being picked up. If you have any questions please contact Marisol Enriquez at the contact information below.
For More Information, Contact:
Marisol Enriquez
Student Assessment
Phone: 303-866-6634
Email: enriquez_m@cde.state.co.us
Update
WestEd's Colorado Model Content Standards Review Phase I Final Report
Attn: All (please distribute)
As part of the comprehensive standards revision process, CDE has contracted with WestEd, a federal education research laboratory, to review the current Colorado Model Content Standards. The current report, delivered to CDE on December 19, 2008, reviewed standards in mathematics, music, reading & writing and science. The next WestEd report, to be delivered in late March, will review economics, history, civics, geography and financial literacy. The third report will review dance, theatre, world language, physical education and visual art and will be delivered in late June.
The intent of these reports is to:
(1) provide an objective evaluation of our current content standards that indicates the degree of each standard's breadth, depth, coherence, and rigor;
(2) a comparative analysis utilizing both national and international benchmarking (Virginia, Massachusetts, Finland, and Singapore); and,
(3) an analysis of the degree to which 21st century learning skills and postsecondary and workforce readiness indicators are represented in the current standards.
The report does not make recommendations on how to address issues of the achievement gap, but rather, provides third-party information and recommendations related to improving the quality of our standards. The Colorado Model Content Standards Review Subcommittees will utilize this report only as a resource as they revise the current standards. CDE encourages you to review this document and provide us your impressions at Standards_Review_Com@cde.state.co.us.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Angela Norlander
Office of Standards and Assessments
Phone: 303-866-6931
Email: standards_review_com@cde.state.co.us
Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Assessment Pilot
Attn: Superintendents & Principals
In the coming year, the Colorado Department of Education will explore new ways of assessing high school students. We invite your school to join this exploration by participating in a statewide Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Assessment Pilot.
All Colorado schools serving grades eight, nine, 10 or 11 are eligible to apply; though only a limited number of schools will be accepted based on available funding. While schools will be selected on a first come, first served basis, priority will be given to schools able to clearly articulate how the information will be shared with and used by the school/district, teachers, parents and students. Additional consideration will be given to schools using a series of assessments in grades eight/nine, 10, and 11.
As an incentive for participation, costs of the assessment will, in part, be covered by the state; schools will receive between $1 and $4 per student for each assessment.
The application, list of vendors and program budget template are on the Web site at the link below.
The application should be turned in as soon as possible, but no later than Thursday, Jan. 15.
We encourage, but do not require, electronic submission of the application. Those applications that are received early will be reviewed first.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Holly Baker
Student Assessment
Phone: 303-866-3266
Email: baker_h@cde.state.co.us
Colorado Department of Education
201 East Colfax Avenue
Denver, Colorado
80203-1799
Phone: 303-866-6822 or 303-866-2334
Do you know somebody in your school district who needs to read The Scoop each week? Send an e-mail to: CDE_Communications_Office@cde.state.co.us with "Sign Me Up For The Scoop" in the subject line. If you are having trouble signing up, please call the communications office at the telephone numbers above.
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