News release - Changes proposed for state science standards

Jan. 11, 2018

Changes proposed for state science standards

Committee proposes adapting the Next Generation Science Standards for Colorado 

DENVER – At its first regular meeting of the year, the Colorado State Board of Education reviewed the initial proposed revisions to the academic standards in reading, writing, and communicating; music; social studies and science.

State law requires the Colorado Academic Standards to be reviewed and revised every six years, beginning with the current review due by July 2018. The process of reviewing and revising the standards has been underway for more than a year, with committees, surveys, and online feedback opportunities all designed to closely examine the grade-by-grade expectations in 10 content areas and English language proficiency. In addition, new voluntary high school computer science standards are also being developed.

While most of the proposed revisions to the content standards are minor in nature, the committee reviewing the science standards is proposing a more substantial revision. Based on feedback from teachers received through surveys and focus groups, the committee recommends adapting the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for use in Colorado.

CDE staff proposed a schedule for approving the revised standards. The approval process includes time for the board to provide feedback to the initial recommendations from the standards committees and time to consider the committees’ final recommendations beginning in March before votes are taken before July 2018.

Compass Community Collaborative School
The state board heard an appeal from Compass Community Collaborative School, a charter school in Fort Collins set to open this year for students entering grades six through 10. The charter appealed to the board after failing to reach a contract agreement with Poudre School District. The board provided guidance for the district and charter to compromise on several conditions in order to successfully negotiate a contract.

In other actions, the board:

• Approved technical changes to the rules governing standards for Individual Career and Academic Plans. Changes include a requirement to provide career and military entry information to students and parents as well as a revised description of Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness.

• Approved 11 emergency license requests for non-licensed educators.

• Approved a charter waiver request submitted by School District 27J in Brighton on behalf of Landmark Academy Charter School.

• Certified the December 2017 state share payments to districts that takes into account updated pupil counts.

• Approved the notice of rulemaking for the rules for the Administration of the Accreditation of School Districts. The notice of rulemaking is a result of  2017 state legislation that requires an early childhood education needs assessment as part of the district and school improvement planning process for those on the accountability clock.

• Agreed to make its regularly scheduled July and December 2018 meeting dates optional. 

• Recognized the contribution of Board Member Pam Mazanec on her last meeting. Mazanec announced her resignation earlier this week to be effective on Jan. 31.