School districts throughout the state have a wide range of reopening plans with several starting the 2020 school year with remote learning. As the new school year gets underway and the COVID-19 health crisis evolves, A+ Colorado will continue providing you with up to date information from throughout the ecosystem.
A+ Updates
Outliers preview
While telling a unique story about public education data, this report takes a look at which districts are doing the best job with their students and who is behind the curve across nearly every measured outcome. The Outliers approach goes beyond the data of the top and bottom ten districts by a given measure, and provides a brand new interactive visualization tool which allows readers to take a closer look at the data on how Colorado districts are serving students. The 2020 Outliers report will be released next Tuesday, stay tuned!
Denver Public Schools – School Performance Framework
The DPS Board of Education is scheduled to discuss the Reimagine SPF framework during their retreat this evening, August 6, 2020 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Over a nine month period, the Reimagine SPF committee sought community input and came forth with committee recommendations. We support all of the committee’s recommendations and urge the Board to adopt them.
Fall diagnostic test update
Last month A+ Colorado called for a statewide diagnostic assessment to begin the ’20-21 school year to ensure schools had a clear understanding of student needs after a disruptive spring. Despite our advocacy, the Colorado Department of Education has indicated that they will not be pursuing a statewide assessment. We will continue to work with districts to develop robust measures of student learning, as it’s critical to understand student needs as they return to school this fall.
Would I send my kids to school this fall?
Van Schoales, President of A+ Colorado reflects on the decision that Colorado parents are making this fall. Read his thoughts in the latest piece that was originally published in the 74 on August 5th.
Community Spotlight
Scholars Unlimited
A+ Colorado and DFER had the opportunity to speak with Scholars Unlimited to learn about their organization and how their programming has shifted due to COVID-19. Scholars Unlimited has served Colorado communities for over 25 years. They run programming in Denver, Aurora, and Westminster during the school year and the summer. Their focus is building strong relationships, academic support, and enrichment. To learn more or to support, visit their website at http://scholarsunlimited.org
Engagement Opportunities
Colorado teacher of the year
Do you know an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled K-12 teacher? Nominate them to apply for the 2021 Colorado teacher of the year! Applications are due on Thursday, August 27th.
Colorado Children’s Campaign – Community input process
The Colorado Children’s Campaign launched a community input process to develop policy recommendations regarding the future of preschool. This preschool policy advisory group will be collaborative and inform policy recommendations on the design of preschool expansion based on experiences of families, educators, providers, nonprofit partners and others. Sign up to attend meeting 1.
Back to School? Colorado students reflect on pandemic realities – online webinar.
As Colorado students prepare to enter their second school year disrupted by the global COVID-19 pandemic, they are continually forced to adapt to a widely different school system and way of life. Join high school students from Young Aspiring Americans for Social and Political Activism and Colorado Youth Congress as they share their perspectives on starting an unprecedented school year. RSVP for this free event here.
Community Resources
Colorado Department of Education – Guidelines for school reopening
In wake of the COVID-19 public health crisis, guidance has been drafted in light of evolving scientific knowledge about the spread of COVID-19 among children and in schools. CDE also utilized real-world disease control knowledge acquired through months of experience at the state and local level. Input has been solicited from both internal and external stakeholders, and their invaluable comments and suggestions have been instrumental in developing practical, broadly applicable guidance.
Colorado Education Initiative – Strategic reopening collaborative toolkit
CEI, along with many organizations and districts has learned and developed an actionable and timely set of goals and strategies for re-entering school in fall 2020 with a focus of building a foundation of social-emotional wellness to enable high quality academic learning. Access the strategic reopening collaborative toolkit here.
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