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Designated Agencies: Educator Preparation Program Authorization, Reauthorization and Adding an Endorsement
For questions, submit a Licensing Support Request form or call 720-739-3304 (7:30 am - 12:30 pm, Monday through Friday).
Welcome! If you’re reading this, then you’re interested in either:
- Developing an alternative educator licensure program at a designated agency,
- Participating in the Reauthorization Process of an existing program at a designated agency or
- Adding an endorsement to an existing program at a designated agency.
On this page, you'll find a brief overview of the three processes. If you are looking to review a list of Educator Preparation Programs in Colorado, you can find that information in our Searchable Database.
A designated agency is a school district, an accredited non-public school, a board of cooperative services (BOCES), an accepted institution of higher education or a non-profit organization, responsible for the organization, management and operation of an approved alternative teacher program (C.R.S. 22-60.5-102 [10] and 22-60.5-205 [2]). Any of these entities may partner or collaborate together for the operation of an approved alternative teacher program. (For example, a district or BOCES may choose to contract with an institution of higher education already providing an approved teacher preparation program.) An individual’s successful completion of an alternative teacher preparation program leads to a recommendation for initial licensure by the designated agency providing the program.
The Colorado State Board of Education has authority to approve designated agencies for the purposes of operating one- and two-year alternative teacher programs to assist districts and BOCES that face a shortage of teachers and often struggle to find qualified persons to teach their students (C.R.S. 22-60.5-205 and the Educator Licensing Act Rules). Such programs shall:
- decrease the use of emergency authorizations to hire individuals who do not have teacher licenses and, in some cases, have not received any form of teacher preparation, thus jeopardizing a school district's goal of providing high-quality education for each student; and
- identify individuals with experience in areas other than education to help alleviate the teacher shortage faced by many school districts, so long as these individuals receive adequate supervision and education in teaching methods and practices.
C.R.S. 22-60.5-205 was intended to address teacher shortages in public schools. Thus, designated agencies must serve an identified need(s) of a Colorado school district(s) or BOCES. Designated agencies can create alternative preparation programs in numerous teacher endorsements areas. State statute does not allow alternative licensure pathways for Specialized Services professionals.
To address principal shortages in public schools, districts may create individualized learning plans for individuals to serve as principals under a principal authorization.
News
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Multiple Measures of Content Competency is Live!
- The Multiple Measures of Content Competency option is available to individuals applying on or after Aug. 1, 2023. Established in 2023 by Colorado House Bill 22-1220, Multiple Measures of Content Competency increases the number of ways initial teacher licensure candidates may demonstrate depth of content knowledge toward meeting requirements for their first Colorado teacher license.
- CDE has created a free submission system for candidates via COOL, resource guidance for preparation programs, updated webpages, FAQs, and worksheets for Multiple Measures of Content Competency.
- For more information about this new option for initial teacher licensure, contact educator_preparation@cde.state.co.us.
- Colorado House Bill 22-1220 has other implications around education preparation for candidates and programs. Visit this webpage for more information about stipend programs.
- The Multiple Measures of Content Competency option is available to individuals applying on or after Aug. 1, 2023. Established in 2023 by Colorado House Bill 22-1220, Multiple Measures of Content Competency increases the number of ways initial teacher licensure candidates may demonstrate depth of content knowledge toward meeting requirements for their first Colorado teacher license.
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Alternative Principal Program Authorization
- At the Colorado State Board of Education's November 2021 meeting, the board approved the ruleset allowing designated agencies to offer an alternative principal preparation. This pathway is in addition to alternative preparation under an individualized plan presently in place and which will continue to be available.
- Entities seeking approval for alternative principal preparation may do so during the timeline outlined below. This guidance document outlines the application process and all all information that will be required, which will include a completed matrix demonstrating alignment to the principal quality standards.
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NEW! Authorization, Reauthorization, and Adding an Endorsement Guide available here!
CDE's Requirements for Initial Authorization of a Designated Agency
- Review Authorization Guide for Alternative Preparation Programs. This is for brand new educator preparation programs who are going through initial authorization.
- Submit Documentation per directions in the authorization guidance document
- Complete the Needs Assessment and email intent on becoming an approved program.
- Complete the Authorization Proposal.
- Complete and submit matrices/related materials.
- Educator Preparation Standards Matrices for Designated Agencies:
Initial Authorization Submission Timeline
Event Type
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Application/Matrices Submission Timeline
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Review of Submission Occurs
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Initial Program Authorization
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Application: Jun 1 - Sep 1*
Matrices Submission: Oct 1*
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Oct - Dec
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*Timeline goes into effect 1/2024. Programs wishing to seek initial authorization during the Fall 2023 semester have until 11/30 to submit their application and matrices.
CDE's Requirements for Reauthorization of a Designated Agency
CDE Reauthorization Goals
- Evaluate alignment of educator preparation program content to the CDE Rules and Regulations.
- Evaluate quality and depth of candidate experience so as to ensure CDE Rules and Regulations are met within the educator preparation program.
- Evaluate impact of completers/teacher candidates on student learning
- Provide opportunities for reflection about the educator preparation program and support a process of continuous improvement.
Guidance and Resources Supporting Reauthorization
- Review Reauthorization Guide for Alternative Preparation Programs. This is for already approved educator preparation programs preparing for reauthorization.
- Timeline of events leading up to the site visit
- Self-study cycle
- Domains and Performance Indicators
- Submit documentation per directions in the reauthorization guide.
- Please email CDE to coordinate submission of materials.
- Click here for a schedule of upcoming reauthorizations.
- Resources for reauthorization
- Educator Preparation Standards Matrices for Designated Agencies
- Schedule Template
Reauthorization Matrices Submission Timeline
Event Type
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Application/Matrices Submission Timeline
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Review of Submission Occurs
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Reauthorization visits scheduled for September, October, November, and December
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June 1
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Jun - Sep
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Reauthorization visits scheduled for January, February, March, April, and May
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October 1*
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Oct - Dec
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*Timeline goes into effect 1/2024. Programs up for reauthorization in the Spring of 2024 have until 10/31 to submit their matrices.
CDE's Requirements for Adding an Endorsement to an Existing Designated Agency's Program
- Review Adding an Endorsement to Alternative Preparation Programs. This is for already approved educator preparation programs seeking to add an endorsement to their program.
- Complete the Needs Assessment and email intent to add an endorsement.
- Complete and submit matrices/related materials. Educator Preparation Standards Matrices for Designated Agencies:
Adding an Endorsement Submission Timeline
Event Type
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Application/Matrices Submission Timeline
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Review of Submission Occurs
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Authorization of Adding an Endorsement Program
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Spring Submission: Jun 1
Fall Submission: Oct 1*
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Spring Submission: Jun - Sep
Fall Submission: Oct - Dec
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*Timeline goes into effect 1/2024. Programs wishing to add an endorsement to an already authorized program in the fall of 2023 has until 11/30 to submit their application and matrices.
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