Unified Improvement Planning & Accountability- Resources Archive

Resources Archived in 2022

• PWR Higher  Bar Cut Scores Fact Sheet - February 2022
  • The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide stakeholders with the adopted cut points as related to SB17-272 (i.e. the higher bar). 
• PWR Stakeholder Feedback: Future PWR Changes Fact Sheet - Jan 2020
  • The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide a brief overview of three statutory changes that will impact district accreditation and school plan type determination in future years.  Also, information concerning stakeholder feedback sessions and surveys is provided. 
• Participation and Accountability FAQs (PDF) - May 2017
  • This fact sheet provides the answers to frequently asked questions about the impact of assessment participation on state accountability.
• Developing Trend Statements Examples (PDF)
  • Examples of trend statements for different required metrics.
• Setting Annual Targets for State Performance Indicator Areas (DOCX)
  • A job aide to guide teams through the process of setting targets for state performance indicators that includes state minimum requirements.
• Performance Indicator Summary Fact Sheet (PDF) - May 15, 2019
  • This document summarizes the metrics that comprise Colorado's state accountability system  as reflected in the school and district performance framework reports.
• A Look Back: History of Performance Frameworks in Colorado (PDF) - June 19, 2019
  • The purpose of this resource is to provide educational stakeholders in the state with a large-scale view of the factors that have impacted the performance frameworks since their origin, in order to support decision making about future changes.
• ​Unit Purpose and Contacts - June 2018
  • The purpose of this resource is to provide an accessible guide to Accountability & Data Analysis Unit staff including their primary areas of responsibility and contact information.
• Annotated Growth Visualization Tool Resource (PDF) - Forthcoming
  • This document explains the features of the new growth visualization tool graphs that are available to districts via Tableau Reader. 
• 2019 Performance Framework: Changes Document_(PDF) - July 2019​
  • This fact sheet summarizes changes to the framework reports from the prior year. 
• Performance Watch Summary (August 2019)  
  • An overview of adjustments in the submission process for On Clock and On Watch schools.
• Top Ten Myths about Growth & Accountability (PDF) - April 11, 2019
  • The purpose of this fact sheet is to address the most common misunderstandings that CDE staff have encountered from education stakeholders in regards to the Colorado Growth Model and the state educational accountability system.
• Tableau reader download instructions - September 23, 2021
• 2019 Annotated CMAS Growth Summary Report (PDF) - 2019
  • This documents adds call-out comment boxes to a sample CMAS growth summary report explaining each component.
• 2019 Annotated PSAT/SAT Growth Summary Report (PDF) - August 15, 2019
  • This document adds call-out comment boxes to a sample PSAT/SAT growth summary report explaining each component. 
• UIP Target Setting with Colorado Growth Model Data (PDF) - May 15, 2019
  • The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide a brief orientation concerning how Colorado Growth Model data may be used to support target setting within an improvement planning process.
• WIDA ACCESS On-Track Growth to Standard: Fact Sheet (PDF) - June 2018
  • The purpose of this resource is to provide background information concerning how WIDA ACCESS On-Track growth to standard results are calculated and included within the 2018 performance framework reports.
• Understanding the 2019 CMAS Growth and Achievement Report (PDF) - August 15, 2019
  • This individual student growth report cover page explains the content of the reports to parents and guardians.
• Entender el Informe de Desarrollo y Rendimiento CMAS de 2019 (PDF) - August 15, 2019
  • This Spanish translated version of the individual student growth report cover page explains the content of the reports to parents and guardians.
• Force Field Analysis (DOCX)
  • A description of force field analysis and a table that teams can use while engaging in force field analysis. Adapted from Kurt Lewin’s force field theory.
• Using the PSAT and SAT for Improvement Planning (PDF) - May 6, 2019
  • The purpose of this document is to provide a basic overview of the assessments and how they can be used in the Improvement Planning process and referenced in the Unified Improvement Plan (UIP).
• Writing Annual Performance Targets (Excel)
  • A job aide to scaffold team efforts to develop target statements (a table).
• 2021-22 UIP Changes Document 
  • Outlines additions and modifications to the UIP for the 2021-22 school year.
• Research-Based Factors that Influence Student Performance (PDF)
  • ​Factors that influence student performance (as presented by Robert Marzano in varipublications).
• Data Intersection Questions (Word)
  • ​Activity for identifying which types of data are needed to answer different questions.
• Accountability Contact Appointment Form (Word Template) - June 2018
  • This form allows superintendents to ensure CDE’s district contact information remains up-to-date and delegates access to state accountability files to a district staff member.
• Elementary & Middle School Performance Framework Updates (Nov 2019)
• Colorado's School and District Accountability (PDF) - 2018
  • This fact sheet provides a one-page overview of accountability in Colorado.
• Sistema de Responsabilidad Académica de Colorado (PDF) - 2018
  • Esta hoja informativa proporciona una descripción general de una página de la responsabilidad en Colorado.​
• Supporting Greats Schools and Districts for All Students: Overview of Colorado's Accountability System (PDF) - November 2016
  • This fact sheet provides an overview of Colorado's Accountability System.
• Apoyando excelentes escuelas y distritos para todos los estudiantes: Información general del sistema de responsabilidad académica de Colorado (PDF) - Noviembre 2016 ​
  • Esta hoja informativa proporciona una descripción general del sistema de responsabilidad de Colorado.
• HB 18-1355: Overview Fact Sheet - July 2018
  • Overview to explain the components of HB18-1355 which modifies Colorado’s accountability law.
• State Board of Education Areas of Interest:  School Performance Framework Ratings (PowerPoint) - September 2019.
  • This slide deck provides an overview of proposed changes to the performance frameworks that are under consideration by the State Board of Education. 
• 2021-22 Planning Considerations 
  • Supports improvement planning in this year's unique context.
• Parent Notification and Public Hearing Requirements Fact Sheet - Spanish (PDF)

UIP in Action District Case Stories - 2010

Tools for Accessing and Organizing Data

Data Analysis Worksheet (Word)

Sources of Revision to Data Analysis (PDF)

Adequate Growth Basics (PDF)

Standards and Sub-Content Areas Assessed by CSAP (Word)

Standards and Sub-Content Areas Assessed by CSAP (PDF)

Interpreting the School Growth Summary Report (Word)

Guidance Documents

Implications and Guidance for the UIP During the State Assessment Transition (PDF) - Updated Sept. 4th, 2015

Online UIP Resources

Accessing Pre-Populated UIPs

Targets and Progress Monitoring

Progress Monitoring Calendar: Interim Measures (Word)

Progress Monitoring of Prior Year's Performance Targets Worksheet (Word)

Target Setting Form (Word)

Setting Performance Targets Worksheet (Word)

Performance Challenges and Trends

CSAP/TCAP Historical Trends (PDF)

Unified Improvement Plan Examples

• CDE Identified UIP Examples (Link to a listing of PDF example plans) (Updated: December 11, 2013)
  Actual school and district UIPs identified by CDE staff as plans that may be helpful examples to districts/schools. These plans have been annotated with CDE review comments.
  • These plans are not exemplars; they are examples of plans that have solid or strong sections that meet elements of the UIP Quality Criteria.
  • Note that plans are listed from the 2011-12, and 2012-13 school years.

2020-21 UIP Resources:

Quick Reference Planning Guide 2020-21 (PDF)
Student Course Participation and Achievement Report Guidance 
Guidance for using School and District Performance Frameworks in Educator Evaluation (PDF) (Updated: August 19, 2014) In response to many questions about the use of School and District Performance Frameworks in educator evaluation, CDE has put together guidance to support districts by identifying several possible approaches for using SPF/DPF data in evaluations. This guidance is intended to highlight some of the benefits and concerns associated with some common approaches. Because this guidance was not available to support districts for the 2013-14 school year, districts are encouraged to use this as they plan for future school years.

• UIP 101 Webinar (Updated Sept 2019) This webinar gives a helpful, comprehensive view of the Unified Improvement Plan.
  • View the webinar
  • View the slides (PPT)

2013-14 UIP Resources:

2013 Online UIP Tutorial (PDF) (Updated: October 29, 2013)
Take the 2013 Online Tutorial to learn more about the Unified Improvement Planning Process. The tutorial provides an overview of unified improvement planning as well as a walk-through of each planning step of the process. The link will open the tutorial within your current browser window.

UIP Handbook (PDF) (Updated: August 28, 2013 - V. 4.0)

• The handbook was created as a resource to guide districts and schools through the improvement planning process.
• Supplemental UIP Guidance for New Schools (PDF) (Updated: November 1, 2013). The Supplemental UIP Guidance for New Schools document) is intended to assist New Schools through the Unified Improvement Planning Process.

Quality Teachers Commission Report - March 2013 (PDF)

• Final report and recommendations on the Educator Identifier System and the Teacher-Student data link.

UIP Quality Criteria - District Level (PDF) (Updated: August 16, 2013)

• The quality criteria have been created to offer guidance on creating improvement plans that incorporate state and federal accountability requirements.
• For districts that wish to format the quality criteria for their own training or review purposes, a Word version of this document is available: UIP Quality Criteria - District Level (Word)

UIP Quality Criteria - School Level (PDF)

• The quality criteria have been created to offer guidance on creating improvement plans that incorporate state and federal accountability requirements.
• For schools that wish to format the quality criteria for their own training or review purposes, a Word version of this document is available: UIP Quality Criteria - School Level (Word)

Key Planning Resources from 2011-12:

• UIP Handbook (PDF) (Updated: August 25, 2011 - V. 1.2)
  The UIP Handbook is a companion document to the UIP template. It guides users through the planning process and plan sections. Version 1.2 has been updated with guidance on Title I Addenda.
• UIP Quality Criteria For Districts (DOC) (Updated: August 12, 2011 - V. 2.0)
  The UIP Quality Criteria for Districts provides guidance on the elements that would be expected in a quality district plan and the elements required to meet all state and federal requirements.
• UIP Quality Criteria For Schools (DOC) (Updated: August 12, 2011 - V. 2.0)
  The UIP Quality Criteria for Schools provides guidance on the elements that would be expected in a quality school plan and the elements required to meet all state and federal requirements.
• UIP Summary of Plan Submission Process (PDF) (Updated: November 15, 2011 - V. 1.0)
  A summary chart and timeline of the UIP submission process.

Unified Improvement Plan Examples from 2011-12:

• CDE Identified UIP Examples (Updated: November 28, 2011 - V. 2.0)
  This document lists UIPs identified by CDE staff as plans that may be helpful examples to districts/schools. It also includes links to UIPs from 2010-11, annotated with CDE review comments. These plans are not exemplars; they are examples of plans that have solid or strong sections that meet elements of the UIP Quality Criteria
• Example District Plan (PDF) (Updated: October 25, 2010 - V. 1.0)
  This document is a sample completed district improvement plan. It is a constructed example, not an exemplar. Actual submitted plans are accessible on SchoolView.
• Example Elementary School Plan (PDF) (Updated: October 25, 2010 - V. 1.0)
  This document is a sample completed school improvement plan for an elementary school. It is a constructed example, not an exemplar. Actual submitted plans are accessible on SchoolView.
• Example Secondary School Plan (PDF) (Updated: October 25, 2010 - V. 1.0)
  This document is a sample completed school improvement plan for an secondary school. It is a constructed example, not an exemplar. Actual submitted plans are accessible on SchoolView.

District Level Resources from 2011-12:

• District Level Support - Priority Improvement or Turnaround Plan (PPT) (posted November 3, 2010)
  For districts with schools assigned a Priority Improvement or Turnaround Plan under state accountability.
• District Level Support - Priority Improvement or Accredited with Turnaround Plan (PPT)
  For districts Accredited with Priority Improvement Plan or Accredited with Turnaround Plan, or districts on program improvement for Title IA, IIA, or III.
• Resource Packet - Priority Improvement or Accredited with Turnaround Plan (PDF) (posted November 9, 2010)
  For districts Accredited with Priority Improvement Plan or Accredited with Turnaround Plan, or districts on program improvement for Title IA, IIA, or III.
• Planning to Plan Notecatcher - Priority Improvement or Accredited with Turnaround Plan (PDF) (posted November 9, 2010)
  For districts Accredited with Priority Improvement Plan or Accredited with Turnaround Plan, or districts on program improvement for Title IA, IIA, or III.

School Level Resources from 2011-12:

• School level support - Priority Improvement or Turnaround Plan (PPT)
  For schools assigned a Priority Improvement or Turnaround Plan under state accountability: UIP Section III.
• School resource packet - Priority Improvement or Turnaround Plan (PDF) (posted November 16, 2010)
  For schools assigned a Priority Improvement or Turnaround Plan under state accountability: UIP Section III.
• Supporting school planning notecatcher - Priority Improvement or Turnaround Plan (PDF) (posted November 16, 2010)
  For schools assigned a Priority Improvement or Turnaround Plan under state accountability: UIP Section III.
• Unified Improvement Planning Overview (PDF) (issued November 20, 2009)
  As presented on CDE Unified Planning Process Overview Webinar.

For More Information

Please contact Lisa Medler, medler_l@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-6993.