Announcement
Colorado's IDEA Part B Application for FFY 2011
Attn: Superintendents, Special Education Directors/Administrators, Principals, Special Educators
CDE’s Exceptional Student Leadership Unit has published the following documents on the ESLU Web site for review and public comment:
- Colorado’s Part B Application for grant funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for federal fiscal year 2011
- Proposed emergency Amendments to the Rules for the Administration of the Exceptional Children’s Educational Act regarding Colorado’s due process system.
All documents are available online at the link below. Information about scheduled regional hearings is also available at the same online address. Hard copies of the proposed documents may be requested by calling Kim Hubbard.
Written comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 15, 2011. Send written comments to Kim Hubbard, CDE, Exceptional Student Leadership Unit, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1175, Denver, CO 80202-5149, by fax to (303) 866-6767, or by e-mail.
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For More Information, Contact:
Kim Hubbard
Exceptional Student Leadership
Phone: 303-866-6690
Email: hubbard_k@cde.state.co.us
CDE Developing a Technology Implementation Strategy
Attn: Superintendents, District CIO's
CDE is working with Celero Partners to develop a Technical Implementation Strategy to reduce district data reporting burdens while assessing the statewide information technology landscape.
The Technical Implementation Strategy will define the concept, identify opportunities and barriers, and provide an implementation plan and schedule for development to take a streamlined state data reporting system initiative from concept to reality.
The key elements of the strategy will include an in-depth analysis and recommendations in:
• Ways to streamline data demands on LEAs
• LEA “pain points” with the current data collection process
• LEA capabilities for moving to more real-time information through a state data pull rather than an LEA data push
• Collapsing data collections while still addressing all federal reporting requirements
• Integrating financial information with student, educator and program level data
• Capturing student demographic information once rather than in each data collection
• Investigating early childhood data needs and map current preschool data collections and reporting points
• Accelerating the development and implementation of the unique educator ID
• Capturing information regarding educator preparation and professional development.
• Increasing the speed of data movement from district-to-state and state-back-to-district
As CDE progresses through this project, it is crucial to understand how LEAs are currently collecting and storing various data elements.
In the coming weeks, CDE will be reaching out to your Student Information System vendors for the majority of this information, however, if you would like to participate in a system/data inventory to assist CDE in capturing the information necessary for this analysis, please contact Lisa Bradley at 303-866-4902 or Dan Domagala at 303-866-6961.
Updates to the progress of this effort will be posted on the Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) Web site located at http://www.cde.state.co.us/slds/index.htm
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For More Information, Contact:
Lisa Bradley
Information Management Services
Phone: 303-866-4902
Email: bradley_l@cde.state.co.us
Now Seeking Nominations for Colorado Talent Pool
Attn: Superintendents, District Personnel
The Colorado Department of Education maintains a file of emerging classroom leaders that consists of a cadre of distinguished teachers and principals. These educators may be considered for membership on advisory boards and task forces, as well as candidates for special recognition programs. Your recommendations will identify educators who will be of great value to your community and state and who may also ultimately receive prestigious recognition.
We are very fortunate to have a rich base of veteran educators represented in our current talent pool. They have been and continue to be a valuable resource in our state efforts. What is particularly lacking at this time is representation from educators relatively new to the profession who demonstrate unusual instructional and leadership ability. Such persons exhibit strong potential for professional leadership and inspiring presence that impacts students, colleagues, and community.
Nominations for 2011 additions to the talent pool are due by Friday, April 15, 2011. For more information on the nomination process, please the link below.
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For More Information, Contact:
Lynn Bamberry
Competitive Grants and Awards
Phone: 303-866-6813
Email: bamberry_l@cde.state.co.us
Conference
Dropout Prevention Summit
Attn: Principals, Superintendents, Counselors, Attendance Coordinators
The Colorado Department of Education’s Office of Dropout Prevention and Student Engagement and ScholarCentric will co-sponsor a Dropout Prevention and Student Engagement Summit on Friday, Feb. 18, 2011. The summit will bring together more than 200 Colorado education leaders to discuss strategies to keep students in school and on-track toward graduation.
Registration has closed for the Dropout Summit, but conference presentation materials will be made available by the end of next week on the Dropout Prevention and Student Engagement Web page at http://www.cde.state.co.us/DropoutPrevention/
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For More Information, Contact:
Peter Fritz
Phone: (303) 866-6601
Email: fritz_p@cde.state.co.us
Spring Special Education Directors' Meeting
Attn: Special Education Directors of Record from Administrative Units/State Operated Programs
The Spring Special Education Directors' Meeting will be Thursday, April 14, 2011, at the Red Lion Hotel, 4040 Quebec St., in Denver. Online registration opens Friday, Feb. 18.
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For More Information, Contact:
Lori Kochevar
Exceptional Student Leadership
Phone: 303-866-6645
Email: kochevar_l@cde.state.co.us
2011 Special Education Legal Conference
Attn: All
The 2011 Special Education Legal Conference will be Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at the Red Lion Hotel, 4040 Quebec Street, Denver.
Online registration opens Friday, Feb, 18. Online registration is on a first come/first served basis. There are 350 spaces available for the Legal Conference. ESLU/CDE will close registration when available space is filled, or by Friday, March 25, 2011. There will be no on-site registration.
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For More Information, Contact:
Lori Kochevar
Exceptional Student Leadership
Phone: 303-866-6645
Email: kochevar_l@cde.state.co.us
The Standards for Mathematical Practice and the Colorado Academic Standards: Accelerating the Transformation of Teaching and Learning
Attn: Directors of Curriculum and Instruction, Mathematics Curriculum Coordinators, Mathematics Teachers
The Colorado Council of Teachers of Mathematics in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Education is pleased to present a series of regional workshops designed to support teachers in building readiness for implementing Colorado's Academic Standards. This second workshop in our series continues the discussion on standards implementation. Everyone is encouraged to attend, whether you were able to attend the first workshop or not.
The workshop will be from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with continental breakfast. Registration will be from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 26: Pikes Peak BOCES
Saturday, March 5: Lakewood, Fort Collins and Grand Junction
Sunday, March 6: Pueblo
Pre-register online at www.cctmath.org early to guarantee your participation. Space is limited. Pre-registration closes the Wednesday before each workshop.
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For More Information, Contact:
Mary Pittman
Office of Teaching and Learning
Phone: 303-866-6251
Email: pittman_m@cde.state.co.us
Promoting Geometric Thinking within the RtI Model
Attn: Curriculum Directors, Special Education Directors, Principals, Math Interventionists, Special Education Teachers, Math Teachers
Attendees of this workshop will learn to utilize a deeper understanding of the key milestones of mathematical learning progressions in geometry (for elementary and secondary teachers) in order to build a rich foundation for students and to identify and address the needs of students struggling with geometric thinking.
The workshop will address these key questions: What are the key structural ideas in geometry? What is the learning progression for geometry? What is the best way to teach geometry to all students in tier 1 and tier 2?
The focus of the workshop is closely aligned to the new state Colorado Academic Standards for mathematics for PK-12. The workshop will be held on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25-26, 2011.
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For More Information, Contact:
Mary Pittman
Office of Teaching and Learning
Phone: 303-866-6251
Email: pittman_m@cde.state.co.us
Event
DIBELS Next Training - April 19-21
Attn: Principals, Teachers, Literacy Coaches, and Curriculum Coordinators
CDE in partnership with Dynamic Measurement Group will provide training from April 19-21, on DIBELS Next foundations, administration and scoring, introduction to DIBELS Next data interpretation, advanced DIBELS Next data interpretation, DIBELS Next Trainer-of-Trainer training, and using DIBELS Next to meet Colorado-based reading initiative requirements. Please use the link below to register and obtain more information.
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For More Information, Contact:
Dian Prestwich
Literacy Grants & Initiatives
Phone: 303-866-6150
Email: prestwich_d@cde.state.co.us
Online Course: Specific Learning Disabilities – Eligibility Criteria and Identification Process (April 11-May 8)
Attn: Special Educators, Special Education Administrators, Principals
Intended Audience: Administrators, special educators, team leaders, school psychologists
Course Description: The focus of this 4-week, online course is the effective implementation of the eligibility criteria and identification process involved with the determination of a Specific Learning Disability (SLD). Participants will gain knowledge and skill in:
• State and federal laws related to SLD eligibility
• Relationship of RtI to SLD identification
• Referral and evaluation process
• Application of the revised SLD eligibility criteria
• Required documentation
• Special considerations
• Implications for changes in professional roles and practice
Dates: The course will run from April 11 – May 8, 2011, and may be taken for either UCCS graduate credit for a fee or CDE professional development (recertification) hours at no cost.
Below is the link to the Specific Learning Disability (CDE) Web page. The course flyer, including registration information, is available under “Professional Development Opportunities.” The course syllabus is posted there, as well.
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For More Information, Contact:
Melissa Chaffin
Exceptional Student Leadership
Phone: 303-866-6819
Email: chaffin_m@cde.state.co.us
FYI
Concurrent Enrollment Programs Act Frequently Asked Questions
Attn: Principals, Superintendents, District Finance Office and School Counselors
Please visit the CDE Web site for a full list of Frequently Asked Questions about the Concurrent Enrollment Programs. If you have additional questions, please submit them to Charles E. Dukes by e-mail at dukes_c@cde.state.co.us and type “FAQ” in the subject line.
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For More Information, Contact:
Charles E. Dukes
Phone: 303-866-6142
Email: dukes_c@cde.state.co.us
News
Colorado School Integrated Pest Management Program/Tip of the Month
Attn: Superintendents, Facilities Directors
The Colorado School Integrated Pest Management program was initiated in 2008, joining other western states that formed a work group in 2006. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to managing pests that protects health and the environment and improves economic returns.
In 2009, university faculty, pest management professionals, advocacy organizations, other NGOs, school, and federal professionals set the goal of implementing IPM in all schools by 2015, visit http://www.ipminstitute.org/school_ipm_2015.htm for information on the strategic plan.
The Colorado School IPM program is coordinated by Deborah Young, Professor, Department of Bioagricultural Sciences, and is housed at Colorado State University in the Colorado Center for Sustainable Integrated Pest Management http://coloradoipmcenter.agsci.colostate.edu/).
The Scoop will run "Tips of the Month" to address common pest issues in schools.
February Tip of the Month: Head Lice
Head lice are small insects that live on the human scalp. Although lice live a few weeks, they typically die within two days if they don’t have food.
Head lice are common in school settings because children are in close proximity to each other. Lice spread only through direct contact with the head or head-related items (such as hats, headphones, combs, brushes, hair decorations) of an infested child.
Management of lice involves an integrated approach. Encourage children not to share personal items with others to prevent their spread. Children should store their items in or on their own hook, locker or cubbie.
At-home strategies to control lice typically consist of scalp treatment with specialized shampoo and comb, regular scalp inspection and hot water washing and drying of personal items.
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For More Information, Contact:
Cheryl Honigsberg
Division of Capital Construction Assistance
Phone: 303-866-6915
Email: honigsberg_c@cde.state.co.us
Update
Assignment of Educational Surrogate Parents
Attn: Special Education Directors
The new 2011-2012 EDAC approved Assignment of an Educational Surrogate Parent form is located on the Exceptional Student Leadership Web site listed below. This form must be used for all ESP assignments. The ECEA Rules applicable to Educational Surrogate Parents can also be found on the Web site. Please review the Rules and the form for procedures related to contact with CDE, the ESP Registry and assignments of ESPs. ECEA Rules at 1 CCR 301-8, 2220-R-6.02(8)
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For More Information, Contact:
Jennifer Rodriguez
Exceptional Student Leadership
Phone: 303-866-6889
Email: rodriguez_j@cde.state.co.us
Last Two Weeks of TELL Survey
Attn: Superintendents, Principals, District Administrators, Teachers
The state has seen a significant jump in the number of participating educators on the TELL Colorado survey over the last week. We’ve already heard from more than 20 percent of educators (over 12,000 individuals). But we’d like to see at least a majority of educators speak for the state (50 percent would be over 31,000 educators) – so there is a lot of work to do over this week and next week.
Nine districts have already surpassed the 50 percent participation mark, so they have secured access to their own data. These districts include Haxtun (the first district to hit 100 percent!), Durango 9-R, Meeker Re-1, Ignacio 11 JT, Trinidad 1, Valley Re-1, McClave Re-2, Del Norte C-7, and North Conejos Re-1J. Jefferson County Schools deserves recognition for close to 2,000 of their educators having already completed the survey. Want to see how your district compares? See the live Response Rate Tracker at: http://www.tellcolorado.org/response_rate/.
Durango 9-R has an interesting story to tell. Coming into this week, they had a fairly limited response rate – less than 5 percent. Noting that Monday, Feb. 14 was a districtwide professional development day, the superintendent and school leaders granted educators protected time to complete the survey that same day. By Tuesday, the district catapulted into more than 75 percent participation!
Congratulations to the two schools that were selected winners in the weekly CEA drawing for $500: Northglenn Middle School (85 percent) in Adams 12 and Eric High School (100 percent) St. Vrain. Schools that get 50 percent or more participation are eligible for the drawings. In the final week, the drawing will increase to $1000.
Not able to find the access codes for educators to access the survey or have other questions? Contact the TELL Colorado Help Desk right away. You can instant message: www.tellcolorado.org; email: helpdesk@tellcolorado.org; or call: 888-280-7903 M-F 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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For More Information, Contact:
Lisa Medler
Phone: 303-866-6993
Email: Medler_L@cde.state.co.us
Online Educator License System Adds Two More Applications
Attn: Superintendents, Principals, Teachers, Substitutes
Two more educator licenses are available online through the Colorado Department of Education Web page. The renewal of professional licenses and initial to a professional license have been added to the eLicense system that initially launched in July 2010. A fully-functional online system is expected by June 30, 2011.
The CDE Educator Licensing Office would like to thank educators for their support and patience while CDE fully implements an online system. The transition to the online system, along with other factors, has created a backlog in the office.
Several solutions to the backlog are being addressed. Last week, the state board of education approved a motion that will raise the fee for an educator license from $60 to $80. In addition, one-year substitute teaching authorizations will be increased from $30 to $40. The $80 initial fee will cover the base license with one endorsement. At time of renewal, the base license with one endorsement will cost $80 and each supplemental endorsement(s) will be charged a $20 fee per endorsement. A supplemental endorsement is any endorsement beyond your first endorsement.
The new fees will begin March 1, 2011. The additional fees will allow the office to hire much-needed staff.
Educators may also assist in the process by using the status check feature on the Web page to check the status of applications at https://edx.cde.state.co.us/PublicEducatorSearch/DOBSearch.jsp
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Educator Licensing Office
Phone: (303) 866-6628
Email: educator.licensing@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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