CDE Update

Welcome to the CDE Update! This monthly publication for district superintendents and BOCES directors will show you what is happening in key priority areas at CDE and include details on implementation, milestones, deadlines and resources.

If you have any feedback regarding the CDE Update, email CDE_Communications_Office@cde.state.co.us.

February 2025:

Dear Superintendents and BOCES directors,

I know January was a busy month for all of us. A lot happened in the last week, and we are working urgently to unpack and understand the new Executive Orders related to K-12 education. We will try to send updates at 3 pm on Mondays and Thursdays weekly as new information becomes available (or a short “no news” message). I will update you as soon as we have accurate guidance and direction on the executive orders that have been released so far.

We also had the release of our 2024 Graduation and Dropout data and 2024 Student October Count data. Thank you to Greeley-Evans Superintendent Deirdre Pilch and Assistant Superintendent Anthony Asmus, Englewood Superintendent Joanna Polzin and Secondary Success Director Diana Zakhem, and Ignacio Superintendent Chris deKay for joining the Graduation and Dropout data media briefing call. Find the data for your district in School View.

In late January, the Joint Budget Committee reviewed the school finance supplemental for the current fiscal year. Altogether, the committee approved an additional $64 million for school finance based on higher than anticipated enrollment during the 2024 October Count. You can listen to the hearings from Thursday, Jan. 23 and Friday, Jan. 24, and access the presentations/decks from both days on the Colorado General Assembly’s website.

I hope to see you next week at the monthly superintendent Zoom meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 8 a.m. These optional meetings are always on the second Tuesday of the month at 8 a.m. on Zoom.

Thank you for all that you do,

Susana

Dr. Susana Córdova
Colorado Commissioner of Education

Reminder about student enrollment requirements.. District leaders are reminded that Colorado’s School Attendance Law requires that every Colorado resident between the ages of 6 and 21 is entitled to attend public school in the district where he or she is a resident, except for a limited number of circumstances.

District Operations

Districts or schools planning a Reduced Academic Calendar for the 2025-26 school year must submit a request via the Data Pipeline Directory Collection by Friday, May 9. Districts on district-wide Performance Watch applying for all schools must also submit the 'District-Wide Performance Watch - Reduced Academic Calendar Form' Questions? Email DirectoryData@cde.state.co.us.

Submit school codes change requests from Wednesday, Feb. 5 to Monday, June 30. You must include a change request form must be completed for School Name Change, School Grade Change, New School Code, and Closing or Merging School Codes. Superintendent sign-off is required. Email DirectoryData@cde.state.co.us with questions.

Educator Talent

Reminder: the ELPD requirement for licensure starts this year. Effective Sept. 1, teachers renewing licenses with an endorsement in elementary education, English language arts, math, science, social studies, or any middle-level subject must complete English Learner Professional Development (ELPD). If you already have an ELPD designation, you're all set! Contact educator_development@cde.state.co.us for questions.

The CTE Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources credential is back! You can find the updated requirements and application on our website. The Colorado Community College System is working to develop a long-term plan for this credential.

Health & Nutrition

Reminder: Senate Bill 24-142 supports a pilot program to combat rising tooth decay in children. CDPHE’s Oral Health Unit offers free screenings for kindergarten and 3rd-grade students in the 2024-25 school year. Interested? Learn more from the outreach letter or email Robyn Maestas at robyn.maestas@state.co.us.

Postsecondary Readiness icon of a graduation cap.

Postsecondary Readiness

Our final Regional Capstone Workshop will be in Colorado Springs on Thursday, Feb. 6.. The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is designed for schools and districts to learn about and apply the Colorado Capstone Implementation Criteria. Register here.

School Quality & Support

We are offering virtual training for expulsion hearing officers! To support districts in compliance with House Bill 23-1291 (requiring expulsion hearing officers to complete a five-hour training program within thirty days of starting), we are offering training options. Email Jewel Sale at sale_j@cde.state.co.us with questions.

Teaching and Learning

The Early Literacy Assessment Tool (ELAT) Project provides a free, State Board-approved tool to help teachers assess K-3 students’ reading skills in real-time. We’ll release the Request for Applications on Wednesday, Feb. 19 and host an Application Information webinar on Thursday, Feb. 20.

The 2025-26 Early Literacy Grant Professional Development application is due by Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 11:59 p.m. This grant helps Colorado educators enhance K-3 reading instruction with evidence-based strategies. Questions? Email: READActELG@cde.state.co.us.

We’re seeking applicants to join the high school math standards review and revision committee! Applications are due Friday, Feb. 14. Members will collaborate on revising the standards from March/April 2025 to April 2026. Notifications will be sent in March 2025. Questions? Contact Raymond Johnson at johnson_r@cde.state.co.us or Shelly Ramos ramos_s@cde.state.co.us.

Best Practices to Prevent Discrimination in Schools: Senate Bill 24-162 requires training on preventing discrimination in schools. Public schools must provide anti-discrimination training for all employees by Dec. 31. We’ll share resources and training in spring 2025 to support local implementation and updates will be posted on our website. Questions? Contact Joanna Bruno at bruno_j@cde.state.co.us.