News Release - State Board of Education reauthorizes two remaining educator preparation programs at Metro State University

April 15, 2021

State Board of Education reauthorizes two remaining educator preparation programs at Metro State University

DENVER -- The State Board of Education at its meeting on Wednesday and Thursday approved the reauthorization of MSU Denver’s traditional and alternative teacher preparation programs in elementary education for grades K-6 and early childhood education for ages birth-8 years old. 

The board approved all of MSU Denver’s teacher preparation programs In August 2020 except these two, which were given conditional approval for only the 2020-21 academic year to allow the university to continue implementing changes to scientifically based reading content and instruction. Another review of the elementary and early childhood programs, including a state site visit, was conducted in March 2021. CDE staff and engaged stakeholders found the identified areas for improvement have been met.

Board denies Community Leadership Academy charter appeal

The board denied an appeal filed by Community Leadership Academy for relief from several requirements in the Charter School Institute’s renewal resolution for the school’s charter. The board’s action means CSI’s requirements, including a transition plan for the school’s leadership who have announced intentions to retire, must be implemented by the charter organization in order to be granted a five-year charter contract renewal.

Update on federal education relief for Colorado

Staff members gave a presentation about the federal COVID-19 relief funding passed by Congress in three significant stimulus bills that include billions of dollars for education. Information on federal COVID-19 funding for Colorado can be found here. The latest fund, the American Rescue Plan, was passed by Congress in March, which includes $123 billion in education spending for schools around the nation.  

From that, Colorado is receiving $1.17 billion from the Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Fund. Colorado districts receive 90% of those funds according to their Title 1 formula. Funds must be used for specific allowances, including addressing learning impacts from COVID-19 disruptions. Ten percent of that funding is reserved for state-level priorities, which must address the impacts of COVID-19.  The board will be actively engaged in determining how the state should spend the remaining 10%.

Board approves applications for multi-district online schools

The board gave its approval for two new multi-district online schools to begin serving students in Colorado next fall. State statute gives the State Board of Education the responsibility to review and approve multi-district online school applications because they can serve students across the state. The approved schools are:

• Aspire Online Academy authorized by Harrison School District Two, and

• Pueblo School for Arts and Sciences e-Learning Academy authorized by the Charter School Institute. 

Board recognizes U.S. Senate Youth Delegates

The board recognized Colorado’s 2021 United States Senate Youth delegates. Mohamed Ibrahim, a junior at Wiggins High School, and Jonas Rosenthal, a senior at Denver Jewish Day School, were chosen to be among 104 student delegates from around the country to virtually attend the U.S. Senate Youth Program based in Washington, D.C. The program brings student leaders together each year for an intensive, week-long study of the federal government and its leaders. Each student is also awarded a $10,000 college scholarship from The Hearst Foundation.

In other actions, the board:

• Approved a written order documenting its March 2021 decision directing Pueblo 60 School District to continue working with Relay Graduate School of Education for partial management of Risley International Academy of Innovation for another school year.

• Certified the March through June 2021 state share entitlements to districts in the amount of $364,711,276.89 monthly.

• Approved the 2021 legislative priorities.

• Voted to support House Bill 21-1010 to build a diverse educator workforce and Senate Bill 21-206 allowing a continuous appropriation for administration of the Educator Licensing Act.