 ☀️ School’s Out, But the Stories Keep Coming Two new charter schools have been approved, another celebrates 20 years, Texas teachers are earning six figures without leaving the classroom, and chronic absenteeism has doubled since the pandemic. Plus, new reports reveal many educators can't afford to live near their schools, and experts debate how we should measure school quality. ☕ Craving a free iced latte? Take our quick survey to help us shape future cohorts, and you could win a $10 Starbucks gift card—five winners will be randomly selected! Share your campus news with us by 12 PM each Thursday for inclusion in the NEWS. 
| 4th June 2025 |
| Denver Public Schools seeks to dismiss lawsuits by East High deans shot by student in 2023 |
Sentinel
Denver Public Schools has asked a federal court to dismiss two separate lawsuits filed by former deans at East High School who were shot and injured by a student two years ago. |
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| 4th June 2025 |
| How Some Texas Teachers Are Earning Six Figures — Without Leaving the Classroom |
The 74
Ask teachers how much their pay matters, and they often shy away from a direct answer, feeling ashamed to admit they do their job for anything beyond a sheer love of helping students. |
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| 3rd June 2025 |
| Chronic Absenteeism’s Post-COVID ‘New Normal’: Research Shows It Is More Common, More Extreme |
The 74
The percentage of students with good attendance fell sharply between 2019 and 2023, while the share of chronically absent students more than doubled, offering further evidence of the pandemic’s shattering effect on the nation’s classrooms. |
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| 2nd June 2025 |
| In Dozens of Districts, Teachers Can’t Afford to Live Near Their Schools |
The 74
In a recent analysis, Katherine Bowser of the National Council on Teacher Quality finds that teachers are increasingly being priced out of housing in their communities. |
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| 30th May 2025 |
| What’s the Best Way to Measure a School’s Quality? 5 Factors to Consider |
The 74
What’s the best way to measure a school’s quality? It depends on whom you ask. Parents, educators, employers and policymakers hold many different opinions about the goals of education and, therefore, about how to judge school performance. |
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  D-11 approves contracts for two new charter schools | News - Colorado Springs Gazette
Colorado Springs Gazette | June 4 (Paywall)
The school district Board of Education unanimously voted to approve the contracts for two new charter schools during their regular meeting Wednesday. Alternative charter school in Colorado Springs celebrates 20 years of operation
The Gazette | June 3 (Paywall)
Community members gathered to celebrate Easlake High School’s 20th year of operations Tuesday afternoon. Trump department investigating Jeffco policy on overnight trip assignments for transgender students
CRP | June 3
The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights announced Monday that it is investigating Jeffco Public Schools over the district’s policy on sleeping arrangements for transgender students on overnight school trips. Denver Public Schools officials warn of more school closures ahead
Denver Gazette | June 5
Denver Public Schools’ officials warned during a board of education workshop meeting Thursday that more school closures are coming.   Fixing IES
Fordham Institute | June 5
My colleague and friend, Amber Northern, Fordham’s longtime research chief, joined the U.S. Department of Education this week as a “senior advisor to the Secretary with a focus on reforming the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).” Penny Schwinn Sought to Start a Business After Being Nominated for Ed Dept. Role. It Could Raise Questions
The 74 | June 4
Just one month after President Donald Trump tapped her to be the second in command at the U.S. Department of Education, Penny Schwinn registered a new educational consulting business in Florida with a longtime friend and business colleague, according to state documents reviewed by The 74.  Amid Trump immigration crackdown, students weigh safety and politics in their college plans
Chalkbeat | June 3
High school seniors around the country are graduating, a rite of passage that marks a profound shift.   Upcoming Membership Renewal
Membership renewal opens July 1! To avoid missing important updates, please log in to your account to verify your contact details and check the “My Membership” section to review your information. If your school has a new staff list to update or questions, please email [email protected]. Take Our Survey & Win a $10 Starbucks Gift Card
Members, we want your input! Please take a quick survey to help us shape future groups and cohorts. To thank you, the next five survey takers will each receive a $10 Starbucks gift card, and five more will be randomly selected for the same. Don’t miss your chance to share your voice and grab some coffee on us!
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
 Join FullBloom Mental Health on June 11 for a free webinar on reducing chronic absenteeism through EmpowerU, a coaching-supported Tier 2 program that reengages students without adding staff burden. Sign up here. Webinar: Understanding the 2025–26 UIP Updates for Charter Leaders (June 12)
The CDE School Improvement and Planning (SIP) Team is hosting a webinar on Thursday, June 12 from 9:30–10:30 a.m. to walk charter leaders through the new, streamlined Unified Improvement Planning (UIP) process for 2025–26. The session will cover key updates, timelines, and tools—including the new UIP Elements Dashboard—to support effective planning and implementation. Register here.
GET INVOLVED
Nominate Outstanding Educators
Help build the Colorado Educator Talent Pool! CDE is seeking exceptional teachers and school leaders for statewide advisory boards, task forces, and recognition programs. Nominations are due by Tuesday, June 17. Shape the Future of Math Education in Colorado
The Colorado Department of Education wants to hear from you! Join a virtual Community Conversation this May or June to share your thoughts on the future of math education in Colorado. Sessions are available for educators, families, students, and leaders—or share your input through a short survey. Learn more.
RESOURCES & GRANTS
 Tools for Multilingual Learners
CDE released a new resource to support linguistically responsive, data-based instruction for multilingual learners. The webpage walks teams through Like-Peer Comparisons to support RTI, reading interventions, and more. Free Amplify CKLA Materials Available for Donation
AXIS is updating its K–5 Amplify CKLA curriculum and has unused workbooks and readers available for donation. Schools interested in picking up materials this summer are encouraged to reach out to learn more.
CDE UPDATES
 Preliminary CMAS Results to be Shared at June 11 Board Meeting
The State Board of Education will hear a presentation from Chief Assessment Officer Christina Wirth-Hawkins on Wednesday, June 11, with a first look at preliminary state-level CMAS results beginning around 1:30 p.m. That afternoon, schools, districts, and families will gain access to confidential individual student results, with early access through the Family Score Report Portal. CMAS Communications Toolkit Now Available
A comprehensive communications toolkit is available in English and Spanish to help schools and districts prepare for the release of student scores. It includes sample emails, social media posts, information sheets, and newsletter blurbs. These resources are ready for immediate use and do not require waiting for the board presentation. Free Summer Meals Across Colorado
Free, nutritious summer meals are now available to all Colorado youth ages 18 and under—no sign-up or ID required. With 635 sites open statewide, families can find a nearby location at www.kidsfoodfinder.org. The program is supported by CDE and 83 community partners, with options like grab-and-go and home delivery in some areas.  June 10 Cohort Meeting Canceled The session originally scheduled for Tuesday, June 10 from 5–6 p.m., covering Required Policies and Procedures, has been canceled. We appreciate your interest and will share updates if the session is rescheduled or offered in a different format. Thank you for your understanding. Our latest updates on the New Grant have been posted here, and our latest newsletter can be found here. Please read both of these for the most up-to-date information from the Great Schools Team.
Not receiving Great Schools Colorado newsletters? Join our mailing list to stay connected. The Great Schools newsletter archive is here.
| 5th June 2025 |
| nXu Education |
| At nXu, we’re redefining education by equipping students with the tools they need to thrive. Our research-backed K-12 curriculum fosters purpose, durable skills, and wellbeing, ensuring students are prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead. |
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