Colorado Charter Schools

New Annual CCSP Grant & Training Calendar +Other Materials

The Schools of Choice (SOC) team is pleased to release the 2023-2024 Colorado Charter Schools Program (CCSP) Grant & Training Calendar available now on the CDE Schools of Choice website (linked here for convenience). Also available are the annual program report templates for those transitioning into Year 2 of Implementation or exiting off the CCSP grant as of this fall of 2023. Such report templates have been shared with applicable charter schools; yet, these respective reports can also be found on the CCSP main page (listed under Sub-grant Reports & Forms) for individual download. Instruction and due dates are contained in each report as well as noted in the annual calendar.

Release of other CCSP grant-related information and materials such as the Grant Renewal Proposal (for those transitioning into Year 1 of Implementation) and Requests for Application (RFAs) for the FY23-24 grant competition (for new charter schools or existing charters seeking to expand or replicate their high-quality schools) will occur over the next several weeks. Please bookmark the beforementioned CCSP main webpage and check back for specific updates as we work diligently to align upcoming processes with CDE’s new grant management system. We are so excited for what’s to come with the new system and impending application season! Be sure to visit the Charter School Events webpage for upcoming training and technical assistance led by the SOC team and if not already registered, sign up for the SOC Listserv to receive well-timed communication. 

Join us for the Fall Equity Convening: Equitable Access to School Choice - School Meals

We are excited to extend an invitation for you to attend the upcoming CDE's Schools of Choice Fall 2023 Equity Convening - Equitable Access to School Choice: School Meals. Organized by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) in partnership with the Colorado League of Charter Schools and the Colorado Association of Charter School Authorizers, as we delve into the critical topic of providing equitable access to school meals for all students.

The provision of a food program that is accessible to all students is the cornerstone of ensuring that schools become a choice for every family. By offering inclusive food services, we eliminate barriers and open doors for families who might otherwise overlook schools that best cater to their child's needs. Moreover, nutrition and food service not only support school choice but also bolster student attendance, retention, and overall well-being, ultimately leading to stronger academic outcomes. Register here today.

Charter alert: Time-sensitive filings for all charter schools in the state

Within this year’s school finance act (SB23-287), section 11 names charter schools (inclusive of charter networks and charter collaboratives) as public entities and therefore needing to file certain materials to properly establish their public status. Specifically all board members of applicable boards of charter schools, networks, and collaboratives will need to file an oath with the local County Clerk Office by August 3, 2023, and within 80 days of becoming a board director thereafter. Additionally, all charter schools/charter networks, and all charter collaboratives must register their public entity’s information with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs by August 13, 2023. A Special Alert was sent out earlier today with additional information and forms/samples to use. If you need access to that email or have any questions, please reach out to Janyse Skalla with the Schools of Choice Unit.

Office of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education virtual workshop series

The Office of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education will offer a virtual workshop series delivered by authors Tan Huynh and Beth Skelton. The series is based on Huynh's and Skelton's book, Long-Term Success for Experienced Multilinguals and focuses on serving experienced multilinguals, the asset-based term for long-term English learners.
The workshops will consist of four live, multi-session book-study courses for educators teaching grades four through 12 who want to provide equitable learning experiences for experienced multilinguals. Upon completion of the sessions, participants will be eligible for 10 hours of CTE credit. The workshops will be offered in June and again in the fall. To learn more and to sign up for one of the two workshop series, visit the Professional Learning Opportunities webpage. For more information contact, Alice Collins at collins_al@cde.state.co.us, or Janet Turnmeyer at turnmeyer_j@cde.state.co.us