School Turnaround Leadership Development Program

About

The School Turnaround Leadership Development Program (STLD), first created in 2014 through S.B. 14-124, establishes and promotes leadership training specifically for the turnaround environment and is an integral part of Colorado’s state-wide strategy to improve the performance of students in the lowest-performing schools and districts in the state. In 2018, H.B. 18-1355 modified the state's accountability law, renaming and expanding the School Turnaround Leadership Development Program by creating the School Transformation Grant program. Thus, STLD became one of the seven support program routes funded through the School Transformation Grant. The grant program releases two RFPs, one for providers and one for participants.

It is the intention of CDE and the Office of Priority Improvement and Turnaround Support to align the support offered through the turnaround leadership development Provider and Participant grants with other supports and partnerships offered through CDE. Applicants are encouraged to review other support systems.

• Legislative Report to the Colorado Legislature on the School Transformation Grant (July 2025) (PDF)
• School Turnaround Leadership Development Program Service Info Sheet (PDF)

Providers

The Provider RFI is intended for existing or new leadership development providers. Applicants may apply to have a new or existing program identified as meeting the criteria and quality as outlined in the RFI. Identified providers are then included in the CDE Empowering Action for School Improvement grant process.  Districts may apply for grant funds to participate in one of the identified programs. Applicants must agree to serve leaders in more than one district across the state.

Providers Overview

• 2026-27 STLD Providers Overview Grid

Participants

Participants are identified through the Empowering Action for School Improvement (EASI) application. The EASI grant funds schools identified for improvement through either the state accountability system or the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Grant Reporting

• Legislative Report to the Colorado Legislature, School Transformation Grant, July 2025 (PDF)
• Legislative Report to the Colorado Legislature, School Transformation Grant, July 2024 (PDF)
• Legislative Report to the Colorado Legislature, School Transformation Grant, July 2023 (PDF)
• Legislative Report to the Colorado Legislature, School Transformation Grant, July 2022 (PDF)
• Legislative Report to the Colorado Legislature, School Transformation Grant, July 2021 (PDF)
• Legislative Report to the Colorado Legislature, School Transformation Grant, July 2020 (PDF)
• Evaluation Report to the Colorado Legislature, School Turnaround Leaders Development Program, June 2019 (PDF)

Contact

Please feel free to contact Lindsay Cox, Cox_L@cde.state.co.us with questions about the School Turnaround Leadership Development Program.