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CDE Update for Superintendents and BOCES directors

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Welcome to the CDE Update! This monthly publication for district superintendents and BOCES directors will show you what is happening in key priority areas at CDE and include details on implementation, milestones, deadlines and resources. 

If you have any feedback regarding the CDE Update, email CDE_Communications_Office@cde.state.co.us.

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April 2025 CDE Update

Dear Superintendents and BOCES directors,

It feels like we have been in touch often over the last weeks! As a reminder, you can find my semi-weekly communications on our website.

Thank you to those of you whose districts helped to spread the word about the 2026 Teacher of the Year nomination process - we received more than 1,800 nominations. We are following up directly with nominees to encourage them to complete the application. Please keep an eye out for requests from your classroom teachers for letters of support for their applications. The application deadline is Wednesday, April 23. Chief Communications Officer Emma Garrett-Nelson will be in touch with later this week to share nominee lists with those superintendents who have them.

This month, of course, marks CMAS testing season for Colorado school districts. Our Chief Assessment Officer Christina Wirth-Hawkins and her team have been working hard to prepare for CMAS and stand ready to support you and your teams during administration. Please feel free to contact her for help or questions at wirth-hawkins_c@cde.state.co.us.

I look forward to seeing you next week at the monthly superintendent Zoom meeting on Tuesday, April 8 at 8 a.m. These optional meetings are always on the second Tuesday of the month at 8 a.m. on Zoom.

Thank you for all that you do,

Susana

Dr. Susana Córdova
Colorado Commissioner of Education


Action Items

Due 4/16/25: 2025-26 Early Literacy Assessment Tool applications

Due 4/25/25: Alternative Education Campus applications and renewals

Due 5/1/25: 2025-2029 Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant applications

  • Apply for this (optional) grant to advance literacy skills for children from birth to grade 12 with special emphasis on serving children living in poverty, English learners, and children with disabilities.
  • Contact for questions: Laura Ley at lay_l@cde.state.co.us .

Due 5/9/25: Reduced 2025-2026 Academic Calendar Requests

Due 6/30/25: School code change requests

Due 6/30/25: READ Act budget revisions and submissions

Due 12/31/25: Training on preventing discrimination in schools required by SB 24-162


Reminders and FYI Items

Educator Talent

Participants Needed: Spring Feedback Groups on Gifted Education Endorsements

  • District/BOCES leaders, hiring managers, current K-12 teachers, and Colorado educator preparation program representatives can complete this interest form by Friday, April 4 to participate in a virtual feedback session in mid-April.
  • Contact for questions: educator_preparation@cde.state.co.us .

Updated Educator Effectiveness Metrics Dashboard

  • The Educator Effectiveness Metrics Dashboard now includes aggregated teacher and principal evaluation data from the 2023-24 school year.
  • Due to changes in 2023-24 evaluation weighting (70% performance evaluation, 30% measures of student learning), data from this year is not comparable with prior years.
  • Contact for questions: EdTalentResearch@cde.state.co.us .

Communications Tools

Applications are open for Colorado’s 2026 Teacher of the Year!

Health & Nutrition

View the CDHS March Foods Newsletter for updates from the USDA

Professional Learning & Resources

Save the date for our free 2025 Elevating Excellence Conference: Strengthening Equitable Systems, on Monday, Sept. 22 and Tuesday, Sept. 23 at the Adams 12 Five Star Schools Conference Center in Thornton.

  • This event is for sharing strategies to increase student engagement, accelerate student outcomes, strengthen the educator workforce, and improve operational excellence.
  • Presenters Needed! Submit a proposal for a 1 hour session or poster by Friday, May 30 .
  • Contact for questions: elevatingexcellence@cde.state.co.us

Guidance on implementation/adoption of high-quality instructional materials

New K-12 math interventions are now available

Powerful Practice: Evidence-Informed Math Teaching Educator Learning Cohort

Upcoming sessions: Preventing School Violence Training Series. Educators, administrators, counselors, community members, and law enforcement can register to join our free 45-minute trainings .

  • Wednesday, May 7, at 9 a.m.: How to report concerns effectively
  • Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 9 a.m.: Restorative Practices: Building Trust Before Conflict
  • Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 9 a.m.: Cultivating Mental Health Awareness

New legislation: HB24-1216 - Support for Justice-Engaged Youth .

  • Key initiatives include an interagency workgroup, responsibilities for local education agencies, a rulemaking process for credit transfer, and a hotline for information sharing.
  • After rules are introduced at the April State Board of Education meeting, there will be opportunities to learn more and provide feedback. Materials will be posted and feedback will be collected during the rulemaking process on the Rulemaking webpage .
  • Contact for questions: Johann Liljengren at liljengren_j@cde.state.co.us .

UIP Template Rollover to Streamlined Template April 15

  • All schools and districts will have access to the streamlined template , which features a more efficient layout, condensed sections, and enhanced visual appeal.
  • The traditional template will no longer be available. After the rollover, school users will only have edit access to the 2025-26 UIP template. Users can still access, edit, and post 2024-25 UIPs.
  • Contact for questions: UIPHelp@cde.state.co.us .

Call for Family, School, and Community Promising Partnership Practices


Commissioner's Communications

Updates for superintendents & BOCES directors from Commissioner Córdova.
Most recent at the top, PDF format.