Announcement
Significant Support Needs: Application is Available for Colorado Model Autism and Significant and Support Needs Program (COMASP)
Attn: Superintendents, Special Education Directors, Principals, Consultants, Special Education Teachers
The Exceptional Student Leadership Unit (ESLU) announces an opportunity for regions to partner with CDE in a collaborative project to develop a quality program across all levels (preschool through post secondary transition) for students with Significant Support Needs.
Each region will have one model demonstration site specific to significant support needs learners. This multi-year project will be a collaborative effort between ESLU, institutions of higher education and the Response to Intervention and Positive Behavior Support Offices.
School district staff will use CDE’s Quality Indicators to assess current programming, and identify areas to target for improvement. CDE will recommend evidence based interventions to support the program and increase the achievement of the students involved in the project. Training and ongoing coaching will be individualized to meet the needs of each school district.
Applications will be selected based on school districts that demonstrate a foundation of evidence based practices. CDE will not accept applications from the northwest and metro regions because these regions have already been selected as significant support needs sites. The application deadline is Sunday, Aug. 1.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Gina Quintana
Exceptional Student Leadership Unit
Phone: 303 866-6605
Email: quintana_g@cde.state.co.us
Charter School Boot Camp
Attn: Charter School Organizations
The Schools of Choice Unit at CDE, in conjunction with the Colorado League of Charter Schools and the Charter School Institute, will present the second annual Charter School Boot Camp at Woodrow Wilson Charter Academy, Wednesday, June 9 through Friday, June 11.
Join us for this intensive, three-day training if you’re applying for a charter in Colorado or are planning on starting and operating a charter school. Topics to be covered include charter application elements, the application process, special education and Response to Intervention and developing a network of peers. Watch your e-mail in the upcoming weeks for a detailed agenda.
Charter School Boot Camp
When: Wednesday through Friday, June 9 - 11, 2010
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Woodrow Wilson Charter Academy
Fee per day: $15 per person per day (breakfast and lunch will be provided each day)
Please RSVP to Vynessa Allsop for the days you plan to attend. Please reference “Boot Camp” in your RSVP and note any dietary restrictions/requests for breakfast and lunch.
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For More Information, Contact:
Vynessa Allsop
Schools of Choice
Phone: 303.866.6971
Email: allsop_v@cde.state.co.us
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Application Is Available for Colorado Model Autism and Significant and Support Needs Program (COMASP)
Attn: Superintendents, Special Ed Directors, Principals, Consultants, Sp Ed Teachers
The Exceptional Student Leadership Unit (ESLU) announces an opportunity for regions to partner with CDE in a collaborative project to develop a quality program across all levels (preschool through post secondary transition) for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Each region will have one model demonstration site specific to learners with autism. This multi-year project will be a collaborative effort between the ESLU, institutions of higher education and the Response to Intervention and Positive Behavior Support Offices.
School district staff will use CDE’s Quality Indicators to assess current programming, and identify areas to target for improvement. CDE will recommend evidence based interventions to support the program and increase the achievement of the students involved in the project. Training and ongoing coaching will be individualized to meet the needs of each school district.
Applications will be selected based on school districts that demonstrate a foundation of evidence based practices. Pikes Peak and West Central Regions were selected during Year One as ASD sites and therefore cannot submit applications at this time. Applications are due by Sunday, Aug. 1.
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
Applications for Designation as an Alternative Education Campus Due by Thursday, July 1
Attn: Superintendents, Principals
All schools previously granted Alternative Education Campus status will need to submit an assurance form indicating that they continue to meet the eligibility criteria to be designated an AEC.
Schools seeking the designation for the first time are required to submit an application that includes certification of the school’s population. All AECs (old and new) will need to submit a selection of the measures that will be used to evaluate their performance, with the approval of their authorizer, no later than Wednesday, September 1. Forms may be submitted in PDF to Margo Allen at margo_a@cde.state.co.us.
The state board of education will hold a hearing to approve new regulations for accountability for AECs at its June board meeting. The department has issued draft assurance and application forms, which may be submitted following board approval of the new regulations. For more information about the applications process and to access the draft forms, please visit the URL below.
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For More Information, Contact:
Somoh Supharukchinda
Office of Performance & Policy
Phone: 303-866-6778
Email: supharukchinda_s@cde.state.co.us
Update from Commissioner Jones - Standards and Assessment
Attn: All
Commissioner Jones recently distributed an UPdate to superintendents detailing state and national conversations about standards and assessments. With these developments in mind CDE has prepared a transition plan to implement a new assessment which evaluates the new Colorado Academic Standards.
In response to questions from the field and with the close of the legislative session, this memo provides information about the new standards implementation, and details a clear timeline for the debut of a new state summative assessment.
The intent of the letter is to help end the speculation and uncertainty about how district should plan for new standards implementation and assessment preparation.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Jo O'Brien
Office of Standards and Assessments
Phone: 303-866-6852
Email: o'brien_j@cde.state.co.us
District Accreditation Contracts Due Wednesday, June 23
Attn: Superintendents
As the Education Accountability Act of 2009 (S.B. 09-163) outlines, districts are responsible for submitting accreditation contracts signed by their superintendent and local school board chair by Wednesday, June 23. The department’s model district accreditation contract can be found at the link below. Signed contracts may be submitted in PDF to Margo Allen at margo_a@cde.state.co.us.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
John Condie
Office of Performance and Policy
Phone: 303-866-6630
Email: condie_j@cde.state.co.us
Conference
Colorado PowerSchool Conference Survey
Attn: District Superintendents, Principals, Office Managers, Administrative Assistants, Secretaries, Central Office Staff
We are interested in bringing a new level of support around the implementation and use of PowerSchool by coordinating a first of its kind Colorado PowerSchool Conference. Click below to complete the short survey and help us gather crucial information in planning an event like this.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Tisha Bouwmeester
Colorado League of Charter Schools, Director of Performance Management
Phone: 303.989.5356
Email: tbouwmeester@coloradoleague.org
Federal Programs
Federal Programs Symposium: Friday, October 22
Attn: Federal Program Contacts, Principals, Title I Directors, Human Resource Contacts
The Office of Federal Program Administration will hold an Effective Practices Symposium on Friday, October 22 at the Adams 12 Training Center. The symposium is targeted to district and school leaders and will include break-out sessions addressing federal program quality, evaluation, needs assessments, Response to Intervention and implementation of the new state standards. Please mark this date on your calendar and plan to attend!
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Judith Huddleston
Office of Federal Program Administration
Phone: 720-939-8848
Email: Huddleston_j@cde.state.co.us
Eighth-Grade Technological Literacy Reporting
Attn: Federal Program Contacts, Technology Directors, Principals
Title II, Part D (Enhancing Education through Technology) requires that all eighth-grade students be assessed in technological literacy. The CDE online system for reporting the technological literacy of eighth-graders for the 2009-10 school year is now open. The portal for uploading this data will be open from Saturday, May 15 - Sunday, Aug. 15. Your district's username and password will remain the same as last year.
The following data must be reported:
-the number of eighth-graders that were assessed
-the number of eighth-graders that were technologically literate
-the number of eighth-graders that were not technologically literate
-the type of assessment used
Connection to the reporting system is available online at http://www.cde.state.co.us/scripts/8thgradelit10/start.asp. You can access the system by clicking on the link provided or coping and pasting the link in a new window.
As always, should you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact DeLilah Collins or Nazie Mohajeri-Nelson.
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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
Broadband Mapping at Schools
Attn: Superintendents, Education Technology, IT, Principals
Initial data indicate wide disparities in regards to internet connectivity for schools across the state. The National Broadband Plan calls for all U.S. schools to have an internet connection of at least 100 Mbps by 2020.
The Colorado Broadband Data and Development Program (CBDDP) is seeking input from school district technology staff regarding internet speeds (in Mbps) using online speed test tools such as that from the Federal Communications Commission (see http://www.broadband.gov/qualitytest/about/ ). School technology contacts are invited to contact Frank Ohrtman to discuss their broadband assessment and participation in Local Technology Teams.
Under the Colorado Governor’s Office of Information Technology, CBDDP is tasked via a $2.1 million federal grant with collecting data on broadband availability statewide with an emphasis on assessing actual broadband speeds at all government institutions including individual school buildings. The findings will provide a basis for the funding of future broadband projects as detailed in the National Broadband Plan (see http://www.broadband.gov).
In addition to mapping broadband availability in communities across Colorado, CBDDP is establishing pilot projects for Local Technology Teams. The purpose of the teams is to assess and address broadband in their respective communities. There will be considerable emphasis on recruiting team members from the local education, healthcare and public safety communities.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Frank Ohrtman
Governor's Office of Information Technology
Phone: 303-910-5968
Email: Frank.Ohrtman@state.co.us
Supplemental Educational Services Code of Ethics
Attn: Superintendents, Federal Program Contacts, Title I Directors, Principals
The Office of Federal Programs Administration, in collaboration with supplemental educational services providers and districts that currently implement the services, created a Code of Ethics to be used for implementation in Colorado. All providers in Colorado and all Colorado districts implementing supplemental educational services are expected by comply with the Code of Ethics.
In addition to the Code of Ethics, a protocol was created for CDE to use when monitoring and evaluating providers, with a decision tree delineating the process for determining whether providers should continue to serve the state or be removed from the state’s approved provider list. Lastly, the monitoring indicators that will be used by CDE when monitoring the service providers was also crafted. All of these documents can be found on the Web site at the link below.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Nazanin Mohajeri-Nelson
Office of Federal Program Administration
Phone: (303) 866-6205
Email: mohajeri-nelson_n@cde.state.co.us
FYI
Read to Achieve Request For Proposal Now Available
Attn: Superintendents, District Personnel, Principals
A new Read to Achieve Request for Proposal is now available. Approximately $6 million is available to eligible public elementary schools, including charter schools or Institute Charter Schools and/or a consortium of eligible schools to fund research-based intensive reading programs. The funding opportunity is designed specifically for kindergarten through third-grade students and students between the third and fourth-grades whose reading readiness or literacy and reading comprehension skills are below the level established by the state board of education pursuant to the Colorado Basic Literacy Act.
Schools eligible to receive Read to Achieve funds demonstrated the following: 50 percent or more of students reading below kindergarten through third-grade levels based on CBLA data; and 50 percent or less of third-grade students scoring Proficient on the 2009 CSAP. For the complete list of eligible schools and to access the RFP, please visit the Web site below.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Dian Prestwich
Literacy Grants and Initiatives
Phone: 303-866-6150
Email: prestwich_d@cde.state.co.us
Survey Available Regarding Colorado School Safety Resource Center Needs
Attn: Administrators
This is your last chance to provide school and district input on the Colorado School Safety Resource Center Needs Survey that is available until Friday, May 28. The center is requesting your input to help focus efforts to meet the various needs of Colorado schools and others integral to the support of safe and positive learning environments and help plan trainings in your region.
Please feel free to pass the link to others whose input will be valuable.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Joyce Washington on behalf of Linda M. Kanan, Ph.D.
Office of Federal Program Administration
Phone: (303) 239-4391
Email: Linda.Kanan@cdps.state.co.us
To Do
Educator Identifier Project Update
Attn: Superintendents, Principals, Data Contacts, Registrars, HR, Technical Staff
We are quickly approaching the implementation of Phase I. This phase includes uploading data from the HR Data Collection and assigning the educator identifiers. Once that is complete districts will be able to log into the RITS-Educator System and download their EDIDs.
As we approach the completion of Phase I, it is critical that we have a contact person from each district that will access the system. At this time CDE has only received a fraction of the Respondent forms necessary to provide access to the system. Please submit those to us as soon as possible so your district will be ready on July 1 to access the system and download the IDs.
Forms can be found at the link below.
Training for the system is scheduled to begin the first week of July. Realizing some districts will be closed for the summer, CDE is also planning to host trainings in August and possibly September. Dates will be posted on the project Web site as they are available.
For more information, please see the Educator Identifier Project Web page located on CDE’s home page.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Lisa Bradley
IMS
Phone: 303-866-4902
Email: bradley_l@cde.state.co.us
2009-10 Student End of Year Data Collection Now Open
Attn: Superintendents
The Student End of Year data collection opened for district file submissions on Monday, May 17. Training sessions have been offered to district respondents last week and this week. This is the first year that CDE has provided these EOY trainings via the Web and most participants have responded very favorably to this change.
Please note the following important deadlines and milestones for this year's EOY collection:
• Monday, June 14 - All districts and BOCES should pass preliminary and 1st level edit checks.
• Wednesday, September 15 - All districts and BOCES must pass all edit checks and approve their initial Data Summary Reports via the Automated Data Exchange. (Data Submission Phase closes). This deadline is mandated under Colorado Administrative Rules.
• Friday, October 22 – Post Collection Phase A closes
• Friday, December 3 – Post Collection Phase B closes
• Friday, December 10 – Superintendents must approve and sign final Data Summary Reports (2009-10 EOY collection closes)
• Mid-January 2011 – Official/final data and rates will be posted on the CDE Web site and released to the public
Your assistance in ensuring that these deadlines are met is greatly appreciated.
Click Here for Additional Information
For More Information, Contact:
Peter Fritz
Data Services
Phone: (303) 866-6175
Email: fritz_p@cde.state.co.us
Update
ESL List for the State of Colorado
Attn: All English as a Second Language (ESL) providers
The CDE Language Culture and Equity Unit is updating the English as a second language provider list on the CDE Web site.
Please send your information by e-mail to Lilian Escobar at escobar_l@cde.state.co.us or via fax at 303-866-6892 and provide the following information:
City location
Organization Name
Contact
Address
Phone
Fax
E-mail
Student Eligibility
Fee
For More Information, Contact:
Lilian Escobar or Laura Blancas
Language, Culture, & Equity Unit
Phone: 303-866-6963
Email: escobar_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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