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News Release - Public encouraged to provide feedback on Colorado Academic Standards

October 17, 2017

Public encouraged to provide feedback on Colorado Academic Standards

DENVER - The public has an opportunity through Nov. 27 to offer feedback on proposed revisions to the Colorado Academic Standards (CAS) that have been under review since May.

The Colorado Department of Education developed an online standards review feedback system to allow people to participate in the review and revision process. Educators, parents, school and district staff, as well as interested members of the community, are encouraged to provide specific feedback on proposed revisions within all content areas. For the first time the standards will also include voluntary high school computer science standards.

Access information regarding the online feedback system and content specific resourcesCAS committees will use the feedback to determine additional revisions that may be needed prior to making recommendations to the Colorado State Board of Education.

State law, Colorado’s Achievement Plan for Kids (CAP4K), requires the standards to be reviewed every six years. Revisions to the standards must be adopted by the Colorado State Board of Education by July 1, 2018.

The online standards review system was first opened in November 2016 through April 2017 to gather initial public feedback. Feedback captured in the survey went directly to the 13 standards review committees that have been working to make initial recommendations for updating the standards.

"Throughout the process of reviewing and revising the standards, we have worked hand-in-hand with the public, gathering input, forming committees of educators and working collaboratively to develop the first drafts of the revisions," said Colorado Education Commissioner Katy Anthes.

The committees have met three times since May and will meet again the week of Jan. 8, 2018, to review feedback from this second public comment opportunity.

Members of the public are encouraged to provide feedback on multiple content areas of the proposed revisions. All opportunities for public engagement in the process can be found on the Standards Review and Revision public feedback webpage.

In addition to the online system, CDE is asking for public support in two other ways. Both opportunities are also open until Nov. 27.

  • The Essential Skills survey: Essential Skills, such as critical-thinking, civic engagement and accountability, are necessary for students to develop and demonstrate to be successful during higher-education, careers and life. These were formerly referred to as 21st Century Skills.
  • The Colorado English Language Proficiency (CELP) resource survey: The CELP committee is seeking public feedback for a website that districts and schools will be able to navigate for support.

For more information, contact Karol Gates, director of Standards and Instructional Support, at gates_k@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-6576. Comments and questions can also be sent to the standards review and revision email address standardsreview2018@cde.state.co.us.