Announcement
CDE Reissues the Colorado Academic Standards in Mathematics and Reading, Writing and Communicating
Attn: Superintendents, Curriculum Directors, Principals
CDE has reissued the Colorado Academic Standards in mathematics and reading, writing, and communicating with the addition of the Common Core State Standards in mathematics and English/language arts incorporated into the Colorado standards template.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Barry Cartwright
Academic and instructional support
Phone: 303-866-6187
Email: cartwright_b@cde.state.co.us
Statewide Definition of Teacher of Record
Attn: Superintendents, Principals, Data Contacts, Curriculum Staff, Technical Staff
As CDE progresses through Phase III of the Educator Identifier Project – linking educator and student data, it is critical to establish a statewide definition of Teacher of Record (TOR) to ensure this link is performed correctly.
CDE will use an established TOR framework to initiate the conversation between CDE and local education agencies on the purposes, characteristics and data elements required for an effective educator/student data link. These discussions will include near-term uses of the data link, as well as longer-term uses that leverage emerging teaching practices and technologies. The framework provides the structure for a common understanding of the TOR concepts along with the flexibility for customization of a TOR definition to reflect CDE’s education policies and priorities.
If you are interested in participating in this group discussion, please contact Lisa Bradley to sign up. This group will be convening in early January 2011. Updates on the group’s progress will be posted on the Educator Identifier Project Web site.
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For More Information, Contact:
Lisa Bradley
IMS
Phone: 303.866.4902
Email: bradley_l@cde.state.co.us
Youth in the Spotlight for Health Semester of Service Grants RFP Now Available
Attn: Superintendents, District Personnel
The Youth in the Spotlight for Health Semester of Service Grants Request For Proposal (RFP) is now available. The intent of this RFP is to provide support for the implementation of a high school level, semester long, school based programs that combine learning and community service. The intent of the grant is to build healthier communities through service, youth voice and youth and adult partnerships.
Colorado local education agencies are eligible to apply. All applicants must have:
• A youth council;
• At least one partnership with a community-based organization to assist in the implementation of the semester of service.
Four to six grants will be awarded in amounts ranging from $2,000 to $4,000. All grants are subject to availability of funds. Cash or in-kind match is required to encourage sustainability for service-learning. Proposals are due on Friday, Jan. 14. For more information and to access the RFP, please visit the Web site below.
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For More Information, Contact:
Paula Gumina
Learn and Serve Colorado
Phone: 303-866-6861
Email: gumina_p@cde.state.co.us
Pre-Populated Section I of Unified Improvement Plan for Schools
Attn: Superintendents, State Accountability Contacts, Consolidated Application Contacts
With the school performance framework reports and NCLB data now final, the pre-populated Section I of the Unified Improvement Plan for schools has been updated in CEDAR.
You may access yours by logging into CEDAR at https://cedar2.cde.state.co.us/. Click Cognos Content > District and School Performance Framework > School Unified Planning Report (combined) and School Unified Planning Report (non-combined). You will need to click on the “stack of papers” icon on the right-hand side to access all district schools (clicking on the link only pulls up certain schools).
Many districts have asked about how to merge the pre-populated PDF document with the completed Word document. You have several options:
1) Transfer the data from your pre-populated PDF document into your Word document cell-by-cell. This may be time-consuming and you should be careful to check for errors, but several districts/schools find this to be the easiest solution.
2) If you have Adobe Acrobat Professional: Complete your plan in the Word document template, using the data in the PDF document to assist you in completing your plan. When the Word document is completed, convert it to a PDF file. Then, insert the pre-populated Section I PDF document into your completed PDF document.
3) Complete your plan in the Word document template, using the data in the PDF document to assist you in completing your plan. When the Word document is completed, submit it to CDE via Tracker either as a Word document or PDF file. CDE has access to your pre-populated Section I PDF document and will refer to it when reviewing your plan.
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For More Information, Contact:
Somoh Supharukchinda
Office of Performance and Policy
Phone: 303-866-6778
Email: supharukchinda_s@cde.state.co.us
Standards Implementation and Assessment Transition Webinar
Attn: Superintendents and curriculum directors
A recording of the Office of Teaching and Learning and the Office of Standards and Assessments joint webinar regarding standards implementation and the new Colorado assessment system today will be available soon. Topics addressed include:
a) An overview of the reissued mathematics and reading, writing, communicating Colorado Academic Standards based on the Common Core State Standards
b) Supports for transition planning for standards implementation in all discipline areas
c) Key design components of the Colorado assessment system.
The webinar will be posted at the link below by the end of the week.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Barry Cartwright
Academic and instructional support
Phone: 303-866-6187
Email: cartwright_b@cde.state.co.us
Announcing the BEST FY2011-12 Grant Cycle
Attn: Superintendents, Business Managers, Facility Managers, Grant Writers
Grant applications for the Building Excellent Schools Today grant cycle are due no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2011.
Eligible applicants may apply for:
1. Projects addressing health and safety issues;
2. Projects to relieve overcrowding;
3. Projects addressing technology;
4. All other projects.
The process and the application will be similar to the previous grant application.
The schedule is as follows:
•The grant application will be available on the capital construction Web site by Friday, Dec. 17;
•CDE staff will read and summarize the grant applications for the Capital Construction Assistance Board and the State Board;
•The Capital Construction Assistance Board will meet as necessary to review applications and select applications to recommend to the State Board for award;
•The recommended projects will be submitted to the State Board before the August State Board meeting for information, action and approval;
•BEST Cash grant projects approved by the State Board for award will be awarded after the August meeting and BEST Lease-Purchase grant projects will be awarded after the COP close, approx. 6 months later.
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For More Information, Contact:
Scott Newell
Division of Capital Construction
Phone: 303-866-6717
Email: newell_s@cde.state.co.us
Request for Application for TGYS Program
Attn: District Grant Managers, Student Support Services
The Tony Grampsas Youth Services (TGYS) Program RFP has been released. Deadline for submission is 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 31, 2011. The RFP can be found at www.tgys.org, along with the required attachments. Any questions regarding this RFA should be submitted to Alan Frosh at alan.frosh@state.co.us by Friday, Jan. 21, 2011.
The TGYS Program was established in 1994 to provide state funding for effective, community-based programs that target children, youth and their families with programs and services that prevent youth crime and violence and child abuse and neglect. Grants traditionally range from $15,000 to $60,000 per agency.
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For More Information, Contact:
Alyssa Lasseter
CO Dept. of Public Health and Environment
Phone: 303-692-2947
Email: alyssa.lasseter@state.co.us
Conference
Autism Level II Training: Social Skills – Tuesday, Jan. 18 – Glenwood Springs
Attn: Occupational Therapists, Paraeducators, Principals, School Psychologists, Special Education Directors, Special Education Teachers, Speech and Language Pathologists
The Colorado Department of Education’s Exceptional Student Leadership Unit (ESLU) is pleased to present another edition of its Autism Level II: Social Skills training on Wednesday, Jan. 18, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Glenwood Springs Community Center located at 100 Wulfsohn Road in Glenwood Springs.
This one-day training is a must for all team members working with individuals on the Autism Spectrum. As curriculum needs increase, there is no greater demand in the field than the need for social skills ideas and planning. All levels of functioning and all ages will be addressed - from preschool through high school. Whether you are preparing to do 1:1 teaching or group instruction, there will be something for you to take back to your site and apply immediately. Specific curricula, actual hands-on activities and IEP ideas will be incorporated. You will learn about video modeling, planning a group, teaching self-regulation and other evidence-based practices in this highly-requested field.
This Level II workshop is designed for administrators, consultants, general and special education teachers, interventionists, occupational therapists, paraeducators, physical therapists, school psychologists, and speech and language pathologists. It is open to all participants who have previously attended the three-day Autism Introduction training. Those who do not meet this minimum but who have a similar content background are encouraged to inquire below for individual enrollment decisions.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Brooke Young
Exceptional Student Leadership Unit
Phone: 303.866.6691
Email: young_b@cde.state.co.us
Autism Level II Training: Social Skills – Wednesday, Jan. 5 – Pueblo
Attn: Occupational Therapists, Paraeducators, Principals, School Psychologists, Special Education Directors, Special Education Teachers, Speech and Language Pathologists
The Colorado Department of Education’s Exceptional Student Leadership Unit (ESLU) is pleased to present its first Autism Level II: Social Skills training on Wednesday, Jan. 5 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Pueblo Convention Center located at 320 Central Main Street in Pueblo.
This one-day training is a must for all team members working with individuals on the Autism Spectrum. As curriculum needs increase, there is no greater demand in the field than the need for social skills ideas and planning. All levels of functioning and all ages will be addressed - from preschool through high school. Whether you are preparing to do 1:1 teaching or group instruction, there will be something for you to take back to your site and apply immediately. Specific curricula, actual hands-on activities and IEP ideas will be incorporated. You will learn about video modeling, planning a group, teaching self-regulation and other evidence-based practices in this highly-requested field.
This Level II workshop is designed for administrators, consultants, general and special education teachers, interventionists, occupational therapists, paraeducators, physical therapists, school psychologists, and speech and language pathologists. It is open to all participants who have previously attended the three-day Autism Introduction training. Those who do not meet this minimum but who have a similar content background are encouraged to inquire below for individual enrollment decisions.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Brooke Young
Exceptional Student Leadership Unit
Phone: 303.866.6691
Email: young_b@cde.state.co.us
Autism Level II Training: Preschool – Friday, Jan. 7 – Denver Metro
Attn: Occupational Therapists, Paraeducators, Principals, School Psychologists, Special Education Directors, Special Education Teachers, Speech and Language Pathologists
The Colorado Department of Education’s Exceptional Student Leadership Unit (ESLU) is pleased to offer another edition of its Level II Preschool Autism training on Friday, Jan. 7, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Adams 5 Star Conference and Education Center located at 1500 East 128th Avenue in Thornton.
This one-day workshop is designed for practitioners who work in a school setting with young children who have been diagnosed with autism. Topics to be covered in the training include classroom setup, communication strategies, curricula, scheduling, and use of peers, as well as an examination of evidence-based program models and their components.
This Level II workshop is open to all participants who have previously attended the three-day Autism Introduction training. Those who do not meet this minimum but who have a similar content background are encouraged to inquire below for individual enrollment decisions.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Brooke Young
Exceptional Student Leadership Unit
Phone: 303.866.6691
Email: young_b@cde.state.co.us
Exceptional Students
State Performance Plan Targets
Attn: Special Education Directors
The Exceptional Student Leadership Unit will host a webinar on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to set targets for State Performance Plan Indicators 2 (Drop out), 3 (Student Achievement), 4A (Suspension/Expulsion rates), 5 (Educational Environments), 7 (Preschool Outcomes), 8 (Parent Involvement), 14 (Post School Outcomes) and 18 and 19 (Dispute Resolution). The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires that targets be set with stakeholder involvement.
An opportunity for discussion of the targets will be available. To register please e-mail Kathy Wheatley. Data and projected targets will be posted on the Web site below one week prior to the webinar (January 4, 2011).
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Kathy Wheatley
Exceptional Student Leadership
Phone: 303-866-6986
Email: wheatley_k@cde.state.co.us
Federal Programs
2010-11 E-rate Training
Attn: Superintendents, Technology Directors
CDE will host several E-rate trainings in the coming months to help applicants successfully navigate through the E-rate application process. There have been many changes to the E-rate process during the last several months and CDE is encouraging E-rate applicants to attend one of these upcoming training sessions.
Each session will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m.
Topics will include:
•New Forms
•Eligible Services
•Eligibility/Discounts
•Sixth Report and Order
•Technology Planning
Training Locations:
Thursday, Dec. 16
Denver Public Library, Central Library (East Entrance), 10 W. 14th Avenue Parkway, Denver
Friday, Jan. 28
Pikes Peak BOCES (large meeting room), 4825 Lorna Place, Colorado Springs
Thursday, Feb. 17
High Plains Library, 2650 W. 29th Street, Greeley
Please RSVP to Tina Tamayo at tamayo_t@cde.state.co.us.
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For More Information, Contact:
DeLilah Collins
Office of Federal Program Administration
Phone: 303.866.6850
Email: collins_d@cde.state.co.us
FYI
Concurrent Enrollment FAQs
Attn: Principals, Superintendents, District Finance Office and School Counselors
In May 2009, the Colorado State Legislature the Concurrent Enrollment Programs Act. The collective intent is to broaden access to and improve the quality of concurrent enrollment programs, improve coordination between institutions of secondary education and institutions of higher education and ensure financial transparency and accountability.
FAQs for this week:
Q: What is the process to determine if funding is available for ASCENT?
A: Funding for the ASCENT program must be submitted to the legislature as a part of its annual budget request. Since this is the case, requests for ASCENT participation must be provided to Charles Dukes (dukes_c@cde.state.co.us) at CDE by September 1st the year prior to participation. By June 1, the State Board of Education will determine and report how many qualified students the department may designate as ASCENT students.
Q: Should the district release SASID information to the institutions of higher education?
A: Yes, in order for a student to enroll into Concurrent Enrollment or the ASCENT program the student must complete an enrollment form which includes authorization of consent the Qualified Student and parent or legal guardian for the Local Education Provider to release the State Assigned Student Identifier (SASID) to the Institution of Higher Education. Please see the Rules for Administration of the Concurrent Enrollment Program 1 CCR 301-86 201 (2)(vii).
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For More Information, Contact:
Charles E Dukes
Phone: 303-866-6142
Email: dukes_c@cde.state.co.us
Reminder
EDX Meeting Thursday, Dec. 9 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Attn: Chief Information Officers, District Technology Leaders, System Architects, Data Experts
CDE is partnering with districts to host an Education Data eXchange Council. Share solutions, discuss best practices and advise the state on strategies to more efficiently and effectively exchange data.
Help guide the vision of a next-generation data exchange system and collaborate with your technology peers across the state. This meeting is open to everyone throughout the state.
Items to be discussed at this meeting are electronic transcripts, ICAP, standards for vendors and an update on the IEP.
The meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Jefferson County School District, 1829 Denver West Drive, Building 27, Golden, CO 80401.
If you cannot join us at Jeffco you can dial in to participate. The dial up number to listen and participate is 1-866-764-6750.
For More Information, Contact:
Dennis St. Hilaire
IMS
Phone: 303-866-6840
Email: st.hilaire_d@cde.state.co.us
Help CO Schools Win $250,000 - Vote Twice Daily
Attn: Principals, Superintendents, Curriculum Directors, AP teachers, Pre-AP teachers, Counselors, other school and district staff
Colorado students are in the running for $250,000 from Pepsi! Colorado Legacy Schools is a statewide math-science initiative focused on dramatically closing achievement gaps and increasing college readiness for all students. Pepsi Refresh is a 100 percent public voter-based campaign; if our project has the most votes on Dec. 31, Colorado high schools win $250,000 to support about 2,000 students and 65 teachers.
Your votes count! Thanks to last week’s momentum, our project was ranked 19th on Friday. Now in 23rd place, we need you to keep voting – and to spread the word. These funds will also help secure additional funding for expansion of this proven program to interested high schools next year.
Remember to vote twice today:
1. www.refresheverything.com/coloradolegacyschools and
2. by texting 104883 to Pepsi (73774). Also, sign up for a daily reminder to vote by emailing slong@colegacy.org.
Not sure if you have 30 seconds a day to spare? Please read these articles a school’s relentless commitment and the students these funds would support:
• Not Your Average High School: http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/article_6f196816-00ee-11e0-9356-001cc4c03286.html
• Students Step Up: http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/article_3cee1ea8-00ef-11e0-b8ef-001cc4c03286.html
• Centennial Competing for Grant: http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/article_94021252-01c2-11e0-acfc-001cc4c002e0.html
• Raising the Bar: http://www.chieftain.com/opinion/editorials/article_8e462d6a-0287-11e0-8ebd-001cc4c002e0.html
With 24 days left to vote, we hope we can count on 48 votes from each of you (24 online and 24 by text). Every vote is sincerely appreciated!
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Samantha Long
Colorado Legacy Foundation, www.colegacy.org
Phone: 303.736.6477 x4
Email: slong@colegacy.org
To Do
Unified Improvement Planning Respondent Forms
Attn: Superintendents, State Accountability Contacts, Consolidated Application Contacts
Both school and district-level Unified Improvement Plans (UIP) will be collected through the Tracker System, the online tool used by CDE for federal reporting requirements for NCLB and ARRA. Each district must identify one person who will be responsible for submitting the district and school UIPs to CDE, and must notify CDE of this UIP submitter using the UIP Respondent Form. The form is available on SchoolView at the link below.
The deadline was Nov. 29, so please submit a form as soon as possible if your district has not already done so. Districts will not be able to access Tracker without an identified contact.
Most districts have at least one person that is already familiar with how the system works. However, districts may select another person to upload documents and submit for this particular UIP collection. The identified respondent will be issued a username and password. If the respondent already has a password, then it will remain the same. However, CDE still needs a completed respondent form from that district confirming the submitter for the UIP collection.
Should you need any assistance or clarification, please contact Katy Jackson (303.866.6858, LR-T1@cde.state.co.us) or Jennifer Morgan (303.866.6108, morgan_j@cde.state.co.us).
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Jennifer Morgan
Office of Federal Programs
Phone: 303-866-6108
Email: morgan_j@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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