Required Training for Evaluators

Now Live: Register for Part I of the CDE E-Train

Click the button below to be directed to a form to register for the asynchronous Part I of CDE's E-Train. Note that registration lists are pulled weekly on Mondays, so registration information will be emailed the Monday after completing the form.

Register for the CDE E-Train Part I (asynchronous)

For registration questions, please email the CDE Educator Effectiveness Team at educator_effectiveness@cde.state.co.us.

Why and What: New Requirements for Evaluator Training

New state statute requires evaluators to complete training focused on skills related to observation and evaluation of licensed personnel that is applicable to the local implementation of educator evaluations.

• Passed in May 2022, Senate Bill 22-070 established the statutory requirement that the department provide training to ensure that all evaluators have the skills necessary to observe and evaluate licensed personnel (i.e., teachers, special services providers [SSPs], and principals/APs). 22-9-104(1.5)(c) C.R.S.
• The legislation also created the requirement that an evaluator must complete the training – either provided by CDE or through a training approved by the department – prior to renewing an existing license or obtaining a new principal or administrator license. 22-9-106(4)(a) C.R.S.

Updated State Board of Education rules created the associated evaluator training standards and timing related to the new statutory requirements. 1 CCR 301-87 5.3(H)

• As of August 1st, 2024, any person who is responsible for the evaluation of a licensed educator (i.e., Principal, Teacher, or SSP) must complete the training prior to obtaining an initial principal/administrator license or prior to renewing an existing license.

NOTE: The deadline to complete the training is determined by the individual evaluator’s license renewal date. Anyone seeking license renewal for a principal or administrator license on or after August 1, 2024, must have documentation of the completed training to submit with their renewal package. For example, if an evaluator’s license renewal date is in June 2026, that person has until they submit their renewal documentation in 2026 to complete the evaluator training requirement.

• The training is either provided by or approved by the department.
• All trainings must meet or exceed the evaluator training standards – whether provided by CDE or by a school district, BOCES, or other entity.

Evaluators who complete the required training – provided through CDE, an authorized district/BOCES, or other entity – will receive a certificate of completion to upload into the COOL eLicensing system. Completion of the training adds a designation on their license. This is a one-time training requirement.

Who: Evaluators of Licensed Personnel Required to Complete Training

All evaluators of licensed personnel – that is, all evaluators of teachers, special services providers (SSPs), and principals/APs – must complete the training prior to obtaining a new principal or administrator license or renewing an existing license. This includes those who evaluate principals, e.g., superintendents. All evaluators should complete the training, even if they do not hold a principal or administrator license.

Per existing statute, all licensed personnel must be evaluated by someone who is licensed as a principal or administrator, or by someone who is certified as an evaluator designee. Currently, evaluator designees can receive training, support, and certification through an Approved Training Provider (ATP). As of August 1st, 2024, all ATPs meet/exceed the evaluator training standards included in State Board rule. Evaluators who do not need the required training for licensing purposes will complete the training through an ATP to establish/maintain their status as an evaluator designee.

CDE E-Train Process

E-Train is completed in two parts (both required) described below:

• Part I: asynchronous, online modules

Evaluators request registration for Part I and receive a link with instructions to set up their account in Moodle the following Monday. There is an embedded link in the final slide of Module 4 to request registration for a Part II session.

• Part II: one-day, in-person training

E-Train Part II is a one-day, in-person training focused on processing and practicing the content covered in Part I. Reflections and content from Part I are used during the Part II session.

General Overview:

• Each training begins promptly at 8:30am and concludes by 4:00pm.
• Access to registration for Part II is on the final slide of Module 4 in Moodle. Note: please do not register for a CDE Part II session if you plan to attend a session facilitated by your district. Check with your district to see if they host their own sessions before registering for a CDE session. 
• Space will be limited to a maximum of 40 participants per training, with a minimum of 10 participants – these numbers will continue to be revisited depending on interest and capacity to provide the training.
• The training is facilitated by members of the CDE Educator Effectiveness Team or by an E-Train certified trainer.

When: CDE E-Train Part II Upcoming Sessions

Upcoming dates and locations for CDE-facilitated Part II sessions are listed below - additional dates and locations to be added over the course of the year.
The link to request registration for a Part II session is on the final slide of Module 4 in Moodle. E-Train Part I must be completed prior to requesting registration for a Part II session. 

PLEASE NOTE: Additional Part II sessions are being scheduled on an ongoing basis, with dates/locations added to the above list as they are confirmed.

For additional information regarding E-Train, please email educator_effectiveness@cde.state.co.us.

Training Options for Districts/BOCES

Districts, BOCES and other entities have the option to offer the training to evaluators in their local evaluation system – either as an authorized provider of CDE’s E-Train Part II, or using their own, locally created approved training. Details regarding each option are provided below.

District/BOCES become authorized provider of CDE E-Train Part II

Districts/BOCES have the option to become an authorized provider of CDE’s E-Train Part II, one-day, in-person training. Through this option, evaluators complete E-Train Part I through CDE’s online course in Moodle, and then complete Part II with the district/BOCES facilitated training. CDE provides training and materials to support local implementation.

An overview of the steps for a district/BOCES to become an authorized E-Train Part II provider includes:

1. Review the evaluator training standards per State Board rule, 1 CCR 302-87, 5.3 (H), and determine if this is the option the district/BOCES would like to pursue. Districts/BOCES interested in this option are encouraged to contact their Educator Effectiveness Regional Specialist to discuss the option and how to best meet the needs of their evaluators for this training requirement.
2. Identify who will be the trainers for the local implementation and how the local system will support implementation, e.g., timing for training, logistics for evaluators to participate, and documentation tracking, among others. Please note, a minimum of two (2) trainers are required.
3. Contact the district/BOCES designated Educator Effectiveness Regional Specialist to indicate interest in becoming an authorized provider. 
4. Trainers attend CDE E-Train: Train the Trainer event. Trainers must attend both days to be certified as E-Train providers. Note: all summer 2024 sessions have concluded. Additional Train-the-Trainer sessions may be held during the 2024-25 school year - check back here for updates. 
5. Obtain authorization as an E-Train Part II provider, including certification of trainers, training support materials, and documentation for evaluators post-training to submit with license renewal.

District/BOCES obtain approval for locally created evaluator training

Districts/BOCES that select the option to create and provide their own training must submit their training content and materials for approval by CDE. Once approved, the district/BOCES can certify the completion of the training requirement for all evaluators. All training programs must meet or exceed the training standards in State Board rule.

An overview of the steps involved in a locally created evaluator training program becoming approved include:

1. Review the evaluator training standards per State Board rule, 1 CCR 301-87, 5.3 (H), and determine if this is the option the district/BOCES would like to pursue.
2. Complete the initial interest application to register interest in developing a local training. A member of the CDE Educator Effectiveness Team will reach out to discuss next steps.
3. Develop the training program - this includes training curriculum and materials, support for trainers, and system supports for implementation. Ensure that the training curriculum is aligned and meets or exceeds the evaluator training standards. This may include creating a new training and/or enhancing an existing training.
4. Submit application and support documentation to CDE (direct link is provided by the Educator Effectiveness Team following the completion of Steps 2 and 3).
5. Application package reviewed by the Educator Effectiveness Team. Read the review rubric here or in the application form.
6. Obtain approval and recognition of training program from CDE, including specific documentation required for evaluators post-training to submit with license renewal.

District/BOCES Locally Created Evaluator Training Initial Interest Application

Please email educator_effectiveness@cde.state.co.us with questions and/or for support through this process.

Archive: Evaluator Training Development Process and Previous CDE E-Train Part II Sessions

The Educator Effectiveness Office offers CDE’s evaluator training, called E-Train, at no cost. This is a two-part training: Part I consists of asynchronous, online modules, and Part II consists of a one-day, in-person training that is offered at various locations and times over the course of the school year.

Additional options exist for districts, BOCES and other entities to offer the training to evaluators – either as an authorized provider of E-Train Part II, or using their own, locally created approved training. Details regarding these options are provided in the Training Options section directly above this section of this webpage.

Evaluator Training Development Overview: 2023-24 School Year

The following offers an overview of the 2023-24 school year and milestones related to the required evaluator training, including CDE’s E-Train.

Past CDE E-Train Part II Sessions

The following lists dates and locations in which CDE provided E-Train Part II sessions: