Announcement
Educator Effectiveness Position Openings
Attn: All
Increasing the effectiveness of educators across the state is a critical priority of the Colorado Department of Education. CDE is seeking qualified individuals who can help the state achieve its vision of an effective teacher in every classroom and an effective leader in every school. The following positions are currently open:
* Executive Director of Educator Effectiveness (responsible for leading the state’s educator effectiveness work encompassing how the state recruits, prepares, develops, evaluates, retains, and rewards educators)
* Director of Educator Evaluation and Support (responsible for implementing S.B. 10-191, the state’s performance evaluation system) http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdemgmt/download/Director-1169.pdf
* Senior Consultant of Educator Evaluation and Support (responsible for supporting the implementation of S.B. 10-191)
Visit CDE’s job posting Web page for complete job descriptions. All positions will be posted by November 18 and will be open through December 1.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Kady Dodds, Senior Policy Analyst
Office of Policy and Performance
Phone: 303-866-6274
Email: dodds_k@cde.state.co.us
Annual Census of Learners with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss
Attn: Superintendents, Special Education Directors; Special Education Program Coordinators; Teachers working with students who are deafblind
Each school year the Colorado Services for Children and Youth with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss, a federal grant project housed within the Colorado Department of Education's Exceptional Student Leadership Unit, conducts a state count of learners (ages birth through 21 years) with combined vision and hearing loss (deafblindness).
Registration packets have been sent to district contact personnel for this purpose.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Tanni Anthony
Exceptional Student Leadership Unit
Phone: 303 866-6681
Email: anthony_t@cde.state.co.us
Conference
Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP) Winter and Spring 2011 Conferences
Attn: All
January 20 - 22, 2011 - Fort Collins
March 31 – April 2, 2011 – Colorado Springs
The purpose of these conferences is to bring parents and other professionals together, allowing them an opportunity to share ideas, discuss concerns, celebrate successes and obtain information relating to parenting, educating and supporting a child with a disability.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
CDE-ESLU-PEP
Exceptional Student Leadership
Phone: 303-866-6846
Email: keck_k@cde.state.co.us
Event
State Council for Educator Effectiveness Meeting Friday, Nov. 19
Attn: Teachers, Principals, Superintendents, Educators
The next meeting for the State Council for Educator Effectiveness will be held on Friday, Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Colorado Department of Education, 201 E. Colfax Ave., State Board Room, in Denver.
The agenda includes:
• 10 a.m. – Welcome and Announcements
• 10:15 a.m. – Framing and Progress Monitoring
• 10:25 a.m. – Measurement Framework & Tools
• Noon – Public Comment
• 12:45 p.m. – Measurement Framework & Tools, cont.
• 1:30 p.m. – Analytical Approaches re: Student Growth Measures
• 2:45 p.m. – S.B. 10-191 Presentation
• 3:30 p.m. – Public Comment
• 3:50 p.m. – Communications Summary
• 4 p.m. – Adjourn
Background
The 15-member council met for the first time on March 11, 2010. The purpose of the council, according to the governor’s charge, is to provide a forum for considering options and providing recommendations to ensure that every educator is:
• Evaluated using multiple, fair, transparent, timely, rigorous and valid methods, at least 50 percent of which is determined by academic growth of their students.
• Afforded a meaningful opportunity improve their effectiveness.
• Provided the means to share effective practices with other educators statewide.
Additional dates have been added to the council’s planning meeting schedule. Currently meeting dates are:
• Friday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Vanessa R. Roman
Phone: 303-866-6678
Email: roman_v@cde.state.co.us
Standards Implementation and Assessment Transition Webinar
Attn: Superintendents, Curriculum Directors, Principals
The Office of Teaching and Learning and the Office of Standards and Assessments will hold a joint webinar regarding standards implementation and the new Colorado assessment system on Wednesday, Dec. 8 from 9 to 10 a.m.
Topics to be addressed include: (a) timing for the reissue of the mathematics and reading, writing, communicating Colorado Academic Standards based on the Common Core State Standards, (b) transition planning for standards implementation in all discipline areas, (c) key design components of the Colorado assessment system, and (d) supports for standards implementation. This webinar will be recorded and posted on the CDE Web site.
To connect to the online webinar, please go to http://connect.cboces.org/impupdate/
Academic and Instructional Support Online Office Hours
The CDE content specialist team host bi-weekly online office hours. Online office hours are conducted from 3:15 to 4 p.m. and are recorded for those unable to participate live.
Dates and topics for the remaining office hours this semester are:
Wednesday, Nov. 17: Tools and activities to support 21st Century skills and the Colorado Academic Standards
Tuesday, Nov. 30: Intentional Design to support standards implementation through mission, vision and core values.
Thursday, Dec. 9: Intentional Design: Goals, strategies, and next steps for standards implementation.
To connect to the online office hours or to view previous online office hours, please visit http://connect.cboces.org/officehour/
For More Information, Contact:
Barry Cartwright
Academic and Instructional Support
Phone: 303-866-6187
Email: cartwright_b@cde.state.co.us
Extended Evidence Outcomes Feedback Tour
Attn: Special Ed Teachers and Directors, Open to Public
The Colorado Department of Education Unit of Student Assessment has been working with experts from across the country and experts and teachers from within Colorado to develop Extended Evidence Outcomes for children with severe cognitive disabilities which align with the newly adopted Common Core & Colorado Academic Standards.
CDE will be presenting these Extended Evidence Outcomes in four town hall meetings across the state to gain public feedback. Please join us to learn more about the proposed items and provide CDE with your input.
Tuesday, Dec. 7 in Pueblo
Pueblo Community College, CC200 Barbara Fortino Rm, 900 W. Orman Ave., Pueblo, CO 81004
Wednesday, Dec. 8 in Greeley
University of Northern Colorado, Spruce A, 2045 10th Ave., Greeley, CO 80639
Thursday, Dec. 9 in Grand Junction
Mesa State College, CC235 West Ballroom, 1100 North Ave., Grand Junction, CO 81501
Friday, Dec 10 in Denver
Red Rocks Community College, EA 1013, 13300 W. 6th Ave., Lakewood, CO 80228
For More Information, Contact:
Mira Monroe
Unit of Student Assessment
Phone: 303-866-6709
Email: monroe_m@cde.state.co.us
Federal Programs
CDE Invites Public Comment on State Waiver for ARRA Title I School Improvement Grants
Attn: Superintendents, Federal Program Contacts, Title I Directors
CDE is asking for public comment regarding four waiver requests it plans to submit to the USDE as part of the application for Title I School Improvement Grant funds (1003(g)), as authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The State believes that the waivers will increase the quality of instruction for students and improve the academic achievement of students in Colorado’s lowest performing schools. The four waivers are summarized below:
1. Waiver to extend the period of availability of school improvement funds to September 30, 2014, extending the period of availability by one year.
2. Waiver to enable schools that implement a turnaround or restart model to exit School Improvement, Corrective Action, or Restructuring and start over in the school improvement timeline.
3. Waiver to permit local education agencies to implement a Title I Schoolwide program in a Tier I or Tier II Title I participating school if that school does not meet the requisite 40 percent poverty threshold.
4. Waiver to allow the state to utilize a Minimum N of 20 or fewer students in the identification of schools to increase the validity and reliability of the list of lowest performing schools by excluding those schools with very small student populations.
The complete wording for the waiver request is available at http://www.cde.state.co.us/FedPrograms/ti/a_waiver.asp
CDE values your input as we move ahead with the implementation of the state’s school improvement efforts. Please submit any comments or concerns by close of business on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010 to Patrick Chapman at chapman_p@cde.state.co.us.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Patrick Chapman
Office of Federal Program Administration
Phone: 303-866-6780
Email: chapman_p@cde.state.co.us
Comparability Online Data System
Attn: Superintendents, Title I Directors, Comparability Respondents
Reminder: The Comparability online data system is open for authorized respondents to update their districts’ data for the 2010-2011 school year. Districts that have at least one Title I school with more than 100 students in a grade span (elementary, middle, high) that includes two or more schools must demonstrate comparability. The system will close on Wednesday, Dec. 1.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Donna Morganstern
Office of Federal Program Administration
Phone: 303-866-6209
Email: morganstern_d@cde.state.co.us
NCLB Budget Revisions
Attn: Federal Program Contacts; Consolidate Application Coordinators; Fiscal Managers
Reminder: CDE is collecting Annual Financial Reports for both the regular NCLB and ARRA FY09-10 budget year. If your district has already received program approval please wait to submit your budget revision reflecting actual carryover and final allocations until the Post Award Revision site is available. The Post Award site will be available in January.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Barbara Vassis
Grants Fiscal Management Unit
Phone: 303-866-6389
Email: vassis_b@cde.state.co.us
Reminder
Dropout Recovery and Outreach RFP Now Available
Attn: Superintendents, District Personnel
The Youth Out of the Educational Mainstream: Dropout Recovery Support Services Request for Proposal (RFP) is now available. This RFP is designed to solicit applications from local education agencies, Adult Education and Family Literacy Act funded sites and community collaboratives representing LEAS, community colleges and workforce centers in eligible communities to help underserved, at-risk student populations choose a viable career path through education and employment.
The intent of this RFP is to provide funding for eligible communities to increase postsecondary and workforce readiness for students outside of the education mainstream.
A total of $160,000 is available for distribution with the estimated range of awards at $10,000 to $75,000. It is estimated that five awards will be given. Proposals will be due on Wednesday, Dec. 1. For more information and to access the RFP, please visit the Web site below.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Angela Zimmerman
Office of Dropout and Prevention and Student Re-engagement
Phone: 303-866-6206
Email: zimmerman_a@cde.state.co.us
Deadline for Completing the School Library Survey is Tuesday, Nov. 30
Attn: School Librarians
The deadline for completing the 2010-11 Colorado School Library Survey is Tuesday, Nov. 30. Participation by all public schools in Colorado is vital. The results of the survey provide library professionals with important information for planning, evaluating and budgeting.
If you have not yet responded to the survey, access is available at the link listed below. For questions regarding the survey, or to obtain your username and password, feel free to call Library Research Service at 303-866-6900 or e-mail lrs@lrs.org.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Linda Hofschire
State Library
Phone: 303-866-6900
Email: lrs@lrs.org
To Do
Upcoming HeadCount Verification for TELL Colorado Survey
Attn: Superintendents, HR Contacts, Other School and District Leaders
The Teaching, Empowerment, Leading and Learning (TELL) Colorado survey will launch in January 2011. The main intent of the survey is to promote discussions in schools and districts about instruction, planning time, professional development, school improvement and related policy issues.
The TELL Colorado survey is online, anonymous and asks school personnel about their perception of their school environment. To ensure anonymity, individual codes will be sent to each school for their staff to access the survey instrument. To prepare the codes and gauge response rates, CDE will be asking districts to verify school personnel numbers. The number of staff at each school be based on the 2010-2011 school year from the Annual HR Collection and fit the following criteria:
• Currently working in one of the district's schools
• All full or part time licensed teachers including: Instructional coaches, Mentor teachers, Department heads, Vocational teachers, literacy Specialists, Endorsed School Librarians, Itinerant teachers, Long-term substitutes, Other Specialists (e.g., special education teachers, speech therapists, school nurses)
• All teachers with emergency authorizations including TTE and SEE
• All charter school teachers, even those who may not be licensed
• All educators teaching in state operated programs and eligible facilities
• All school principals
• All assistant principals
• Other building level administrators (such as deans)
CDE will send the “headcount numbers” at the beginning of December to district superintendents and HR contacts. We are asking that you confirm the numbers within a couple of weeks (mid-December). Again, this confirmation is important to ensure that your schools receive the appropriate number of codes. Accurate headcounts will also help ensure that your district and school will be able to access data after the survey window closes in February. Schools and districts must have at least 50 percent participation to view their own data for improvement efforts.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Lisa Medler and Annette Severson
Phone: 303-866-6993 and 303-866-6824
Email: medler_l@cde.state.co.us and severson_a@cde.state.co.us
Update
Unified Improvement Plan Template for Alternative Education Campuses
Attn: Superintendents, District Accountability Contacts, NCLB Contacts for Titles IA, IIA and II
CDE has developed a Unified Improvement Plan (UIP) template for Alternative Education Campuses (AECs). The template can be downloaded at http://schoolview.org/documents/SchoolImprovementPlantemplateAEC.doc
This template is similar to the UIP template for traditional schools, except it accommodates the four key performance indicators for which AECs are accountable: achievement, growth, postsecondary readiness, and student engagement. This is reflected in changes primarily to:
• Section I: AECs will receive pre-populated UIP reports for Section I when the next round of UIP reports are generated. These will report the traditional school performance framework measures with state expectations for traditional schools, but no state accountability rating will be given. AECs may choose to transfer the pre-populated information over to their plan (from PDF to the MS word document) so that they can add additional AEC measures to Section I as appropriate to their mission and student populations. Alternatively, they may address these in Section III of their plan.
• Section III: The data analysis worksheet has been modified to match the AEC performance indicators. While AECs should consider traditional performance indicators, they should also consider student engagement and any additional measures in Section III. AECs are encouraged to analyze results on the measures they proposed to CDE on September 1, 2010, or data that surfaces from this winter’s stakeholder meetings.
AECs on Performance or Improvement Plans will need to submit plans by April 15. Most AECs received a default designation of Improvement Plan unless their district indicated otherwise. AECs on Priority Improvement or Turnaround Plans will need to submit plans by January 17. Note that all schools, regardless of AEC status, are still accountable to federal expectations and must meet federal planning requirements.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Somoh Supharukchinda
Office of Performance and Policy
Phone: 303-866-6778
Email: supharukchinda_s@cde.state.co.us
CDE Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) Data Effectiveness Survey Response Time Extended to Nov. 24
Attn: Superintendent, DACs, ADE Submission Coordinators
The survey participation period has been extended through next Wednesday, Nov. 24. The following was included with the initial release of the survey:
In November of 2007, the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) was awarded a federal grant to improve the Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS). This grant has been used to enhance the systems in various areas including Data Warehouse and Reporting, National Transcript Center, among others.
Last year at this time we released a Data Effectiveness survey in order to gather feedback and a baseline for improving specific outcomes addressed in the grant. We will be re-issuing the survey again in the next week to collect information on progress made in the past year.
This Data Effectiveness Survey will:
1. Help CDE quantify the effectiveness of the current longitudinal data systems for users and stakeholders.
2. Identify potential areas for improvement as we enter into the final year of the grant.
Your participation is critical as we make decisions and set priorities for the work to be completed over final year.
On behalf of the SLDS team, thank you in advance for your time in completing this survey.
Results through will be provided through a future article in The Scoop.
For More Information, Contact:
Keith Glenn
IMS
Phone: 303.866.6919
Email: glenn_k@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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