Announcement
Training Sessions - Changes to Race and Ethnicity Reporting for Students and Staff
Attn: Superintendents, District Registrars, Chief Information Officers, Directors of Enrollment
The U.S. Department of Education has mandated significant changes to the process for collecting and reporting race and ethnicity information for students and staff. Although these changes will not take effect until the 2010-2011 academic year, districts and schools need to begin preparing, allocating resources, and addressing related issues now. CDE will offer three training sessions over the next two weeks and will provide additional Web-based trainings by the end of May to assist districts with this transition.
Thursday, April 30 - 1:00 to 4:00 pm - Lewis Plamer 38 (Monument)
Tuesday, May 5 - 1:00 to 4:00 pm - Littleton Public Schools
Thursday, May 7 - 1:00 to 4:00 pm - Weld County 6 (Greeley)
For more information about the training sessions (including specific addresses for where the trainings will be held) please visit the Web site link below.
These training sessions will focus on logistical and policy considerations and are intended for senior district staff such as district registrars, directors of enrollment, chief information officers and assistant superintendents. CDE data collection respondents from each district will be provided detailed training regarding the race and ethnicity reporting changes during upcoming collection-specific training sessions.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Peter Fritz
Data Services
Phone: (303) 866-6175
Email: fritz_p@cde.state.co.us
Colorado Growth Model Public Facing Application Release
Attn: Principals, Superintendents, District Assessment Coordinators
The Colorado Department of Education is pleased to announce the release of the new public Web site for the Colorado Growth Model. The Web site is the result of over four months of analysis, design, and development efforts on the part of a dedicated project team, together with extensive input from the field. The new displays replace the existing four-quadrant growth charts now on the CDE Web site. During the coming weeks, we will begin pilot-testing a version of this Web site for educators to access with a secure password. This version will contain individual student data.
The Colorado Growth Model uses a common measure to describe how much growth each student makes and how much growth is needed to reach state standards. The new Web site displays 2007-2008 information on a school or district's growth and achievement in the areas of reading, writing and mathematics. The Web site depicts academic growth in a user-friendly and interactive display and provides the community with the opportunity to see how districts and schools from across the state are progressing to meet student needs. Later releases will add multiple years of data and include information about the growth rates needed to "catch-up," "keep-up," and "move-up" to median student growth percentiles.
CDE intends to improve the Web site based on the feedback of the users and stakeholders. You can access the model using the following link below. CDE recommends using Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 6.0 or higher to view the displays. Please send questions or comments to: growth.questions@cde.state.co.us
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Bill Bonk
Research & Evaluation
Phone: 303-866-6763
Email: bonk_w@cde.state.co.us
CELApro Reports
Attn: District Assessment Coordinators (DACs)
CELApro reports shipped and were expected to arrive at school districts on Friday, April 17, 2009.
If reports are missing, please ask districts to contact the CELA Help Desk at 800-994-8557.
For More Information, Contact:
Jim McIntosh
Student Assessment
Phone: 303-866-6979
Email: mcintosh_j@cde.state.co.us
CSAP Content Validity and Alignment Review Applications
Attn: Superintendents, DACs and Colorado Educators
Student Assessment currently is accepting applications for content experts interested in participating in various upcoming assessment events for CSAP and CSAP-A.
The deadline for the CSAP Content and Validity Alignment Review is Friday, May 1, 2009.
Participants are still needed in all grades and content areas, except for grades 9 and 10 mathematics.
Information regarding our new online application process and the current schedule for 2009 assessment events can be found on our Web site at the link below.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Andrina Aragon
Student Assessment
Phone: 303.866.6664
Email: aragon_a@cde.state.co.us
Event
CASB Webinar April 29: Navigating the Stimulus Spending Requirements in Colorado
Attn: Superintendents, Title I Directors and Special Education Directors
12—1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Make informed decisions when spending stimulus money by joining the legal team from the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) for this interactive Web-based seminar.
Receive up-to-date information regarding the stimulus package’s impact on Colorado school districts so the decisions you make are in compliance with federal law.
In this seminar, CASB attorneys also will provide information on Colorado’s progress in applying for monies from the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF):
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/factsheet/stabilization-fund.html
You’ll learn:
• How and when stimulus money can be spent
• The four principles guiding the distribution and use of ARRA funds
• General principles governing Title IA and special education spending, including how to deal with thorny maintenance of effort and supplement, not supplant, requirements
Walk away with:
• Guidance on creating legally sound multi-year spending plans based on the latest information from federal and state resources, including the U.S. and Colorado departments of education
• A framework to help you make decisions regarding federal stimulus dollars
• Where to go for more information when making decisions about stimulus spending
Click on the link below for more information and to register for this important Webinar, or visit www.casb.org.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Nancy Weiss
Phone: 303-832-1000
Email: nweiss@casb.org
Targeted Interventions Framework and Check-in, Check-out System May 5 & 6
Attn: Special Education Directors
CDE is offering training on a targeted interventions framework and the check-in, check-out system.
Training dates are:
• Colorado Springs: Tuesday, May 5, 2009 – Zalman Center, Harrison School District 2
• Denver: Wednesday, May 6, 2009 – Four Points by Sheraton Denver Southeast
This training is open to:
• BEST team members
• PBS team members from schools with 80/80 SET scores
• PBS Coaches
• Two mental health professionals from each school
Schedule of the events for both dates:
8―8:30 a.m.
Sign-in and coffee service
8:30―9 a.m.
CDE announcements
9 a.m.―3:30 p.m.
Targeted interventions framework and the check-in, check-out system
12―1 p.m.
Lunch (provided)
Online registration is open until Friday, April 24, 2009.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Ghyslyn Laviolette
Exceptional Student Leadership
Phone: 303-898-9623
Email: laviolette_g@cde.state.co.us
Federal Programs
Comparability System
Attn: Title I Directors and Federal Program Contacts
Thank you to everyone who participated in the comparability training sessions!
The Online Comparability System is now live at: https://cdeapps.cde.state.co.us/Comp/faces/CompLogin.jspx
You must have a username and password to access the system. To obtain a username and password, complete and fax in a respondent form available at: http://www.cde.state.co.us/FedPrograms/NCLB/downloads/tia_comp_respondinfo.pdf
The system will be open though June as a “pilot.”
Please use this opportunity to familiarize yourselves with the system and the data, and to plan for the 2009-2010 school year. We will send out a survey after the system closes to obtain feedback and suggestions.
While all districts must log in to the online comparability system and confirm their status:
• Only districts that have more than one Title I school with 100 or more students in a grade span need to demonstrate comparability. (A list of applicable districts is available. Click on the link listed below).
• Districts that accept Title I-A funds but do not meet these criteria do not need to demonstrate comparability.
Please remember that demonstrating comparability ― a key requirement for accepting Title IA funds ― is the process by which districts validate that Title IA funding through NCLB is “supplemental,” in accordance with federal law.
If you have any questions, please contact:
• Donna Morganstern (morganstern_d@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-6209)
• Cheryl Miller (miller_c@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-6214)
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Donna Morganstern
Federal Programs
Phone: 303-866-6209
Email: morganstern_d@cde.state.co.us
FYI
Colorado Youth Advisory Council
Attn: Superintendents and Principals
The Colorado Youth Advisory Council is accepting applications. Please spread the word to recruit dedicated, energetic young Coloradans passionate about youth voice in government.
The Colorado Youth Advisory Council was established by the Colorado legislature in 2008 to give young people an opportunity to participate in the policy-making process.
The council has one member from each state senate district and five at-large members.
The council talks to other youth throughout the state to hear their concerns, examine bills in the legislature, decide whether to support them and suggest ideas for new laws.
Four legislators are also non-voting members of our council. They help us connect to the legislature and provide support and feedback for our ideas.
For more information, click on the link below. Thank you for sharing this information.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Stephanie Walton
Phone: 303-292-3144, ext. 101
Email: stephanie@civiccanopy.org
Important Due Date
2008-09 Highly Qualified Teacher Data
Attn: Highly Qualified Contacts, Superintendents, HR Directors, Federal Programs Contacts and Special Education Directors
The annual Highly Qualified (HQ) data collection is coming to a close (Friday, April 24, 2009).
By launching the Highly Qualified Online System (HQOS), CDE has been able to streamline the collection process by communicating directly with the Annual Human Resource Collections for both general education and special education teachers.
All core content teachers must meet the NCLB HQ requirements or at least have an approved plan through HQOS.
This data is used for federal reporting requirements and influences the release of NCLB funds through the consolidated application.
If your district or administrative unit has not completed this work, please do so right away or contact our office for assistance.
For More Information, Contact:
Lisa Medler
Federal Programs
Phone: 303-866-6993
Email: medler_l@cde.state.co.us
Reminder
NIMS Compliance Deadline July 1
Attn: Superintendents and BOCES Directors
On or before Wednesday, July 1, 2009, each school district is required to establish a date by which each school in the district will be in compliance with the school response framework - the school safety, readiness and incident management plan required by CRS 22-32-109.1 (4) referred to as "NIMS."
This self-selected date for NIMS compliance may be changed by the school board for cause.
Please note that this on/before July 1, 2009, requirement is for the district to self select a date by which its schools will be in compliance; the July 1, 2009, date itself is not the date by which the district or its schools must actually be NIMS compliant.
For More Information, Contact:
Janelle Krueger
Federal Programs
Phone: 303-866-6660
Email: krueger_j@cde.state.co.us
2009 Grade 3 CSAP Reading and Lectura Preliminary, Unofficial Score Release
Attn: Superintendents, District Assessment Coordinators
Consistent with the process used for previous years, the preliminary and unofficial 2009 grade 3 CSAP reading and Lectura status results will be made available to districts and the media.
The data are preliminary and unofficial because the data have not been through the Student Biographical Data (SBD) review process.
Districts are allowed to review and modify all their CSAP, CSAP-A and COACT biographical data during SBD in late May. The SBD review process may affect individual school and district summary level data. Therefore, these data are considered preliminary and unofficial.
The official grade 3 CSAP reading and Lectura status data will be released at the same time as the scores for the remaining CSAP, CSAP-A, and COACT results. This release tentatively is planned for early August.
CDE is looking forward to introducing the new Colorado Growth Model as the focus of this public release. For more information about the Colorado Growth Model, contact Bill Bonk at 303-866-6763.
Process:
• The data will be available to the media at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2009, at this link: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeassess/documents/csap/unofficial_gr3_release.html
• The data will be embargoed until noon on Friday, May 1, 2009, so districts may have time to review their preliminary data.
• CDE will NOT issue a news release since the data are preliminary and unofficial.
• Student Assessment will not post summary data on the CDE Web site because the data are preliminary and unofficial.
• Districts may address their preliminary and unofficial results with the media after noon on Friday May 1, 2009, as district officials deem appropriate.
For More Information, Contact:
Jim McIntosh
Student Assessment
Phone: 303-866-6979
Email: mcintosh_j@cde.state.co.us
Update
TELL Colorado Survey
Attn: Principals, Superintendents, HR Directors and Other Interested Educators
The TELL (Teaching, Empowering, Leading and Learning) Colorado survey now is in full swing.
This online survey is gathering information from teachers and principals about their perceptions on teaching and learning conditions in their buildings. Research shows a relationship among these conditions, student achievement and staff turnover rates.
The survey opened last week, but there was a delay in the mailings, and participants are just now getting their codes.
The survey will remain open until Monday, May 11, 2009, so encourage your staff to get online now!
It's anonymous and confidential. Results will be made available to buildings (and their districts) that meet the 50% participation threshold (and include at least five participants) for school improvement purposes. A statewide analysis also will be available later in the year.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Lisa Medler
Federal Programs
Phone: 303-866-6993
Email: medler_l@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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