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Welcome to the NEWS for January 26, 2024
Happy National School Choice week! We’re marking the occasion by highlighting content that peeks back at its origin and explores how it’s reshaping education across the country, even as the anti-CRT push has unraveled local support for schools. Plus, see what happens when STEAD students are let loose at the stock show, and how a Waldorf-inspired charter school brings choice to southern Colorado. We also examine highlights from a push to save pandemic-era mental health services for students.
We’re almost to February which means the Colorado Charter Schools Annual Conference is just around the corner! Focused on re:visioning education, this highly-anticipated event will elevate your ongoing growth and development while providing an opportunity to connect with peers. View our lineup of workshops and register today!
If your campus has an update to share, please submit it to us by 12 PM each Thursday.
News & Commentary
Top News
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Local Headlines
School choice, a look inside Mountain Song Community School
KOAA News5 | January 25, 2024
We are in the midst of school choice across Southern Colorado. If you haven't heard of it, the state of Colorado allows you to choice into any school in our state meaning your student does not have to go to the school they are zoned for if you feel another better suites their needs. Read more.
‘Miss, I have anxiety’: Denver school mental health providers fighting to save pandemic-era program
Chalkbeat | January 24, 2024
When 50 students at Denver’s George Washington High School were flagged on a survey as having “extremely elevated risk” for mental health struggles, social worker Sarah Hartman was able to check in with all 50 and offer them services. Read more.
The urgent need for more school choice in Colorado
Colorado Springs Gazette | January 24, 2024
The only downside to school choice in our state? There isn’t enough of it. It’s the right prescription for what ails Colorado’s public schools — an inoculation against the plague of malaise and abysmal performance at too many schools in too many communities. Read more.
New Douglas County school board president will decide who fills Mike Peterson’s seat after board deadlocks
The Denver Post | January 24, 2024
The Douglas County school board remained deadlocked on who to appoint to fill a vacant seat after three rounds of voting Tuesday night, placing the decision in board President Christy Williams’s hands. Read more (paywall).
National Views
Pennsylvania lawmakers ponder big changes to charter school funding
Chalkbeat | January 24, 2024
Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering significant changes to the way charter schools are funded as they undertake a monumental overhaul of public education mandated by a court ruling. Read more.
For Maverick Polly Williams, the Mother of School Choice, The Point Was Always to Empower Parents and Improve Education for Black Children
The 74 | January 23, 2024
When Annette “Polly” Williams died in 2014, she had spent 30 years as a Wisconsin state representative — the longest-serving woman in the Wisconsin Legislature. But it was her efforts in the late ’80s and early ’90s to create the nation’s longest-running private school voucher program that marked her career. Read more.
Reading, Writing, Math … and Climate Change?
New York Times | January 22, 2024
Third graders at Public School 103 in the north Bronx sat on a rug last month while their teacher, Kristy Neumeister, led a book discussion. The book, “Rain School,” is about children who live in a rural region of Chad, a country in central Africa. Every year, their school must be rebuilt because storms wash it away. Read more (paywall).
How the anti-CRT push has unraveled local support for schools
Hechinger Report | January 18, 2024
In 2021, there was a sudden shift in how school board meetings around the country were conducted: Routine meetings turned heated, with angry community members often accusing educators of teaching their kids about critical race theory without their knowledge. That led to a firestorm of anti-CRT bans, intense focus on school board elections and partisan divides within local communities on education. Read more.
Community Announcements
PD Event for Secondary Leaders:
Immersion Learning & the Finnish Factor | February 2 | Denver, CO
Join other secondary educational leaders across the Denver Metro area to learn from Petteri Elo, Finnish educator and leader, who will be running a session on Phenomenon-Based Learning, a pedagogical practice popular in Finland. He will also be sharing best educational practices that are common in Finland and the impact they have on student learning. You will leave the session with strategies you can begin to implement in your district and/or school immediately.This PD is open to secondary district leaders and secondary school leaders (superintendents, directors, principals, APs). It is also encouraged that each participant brings a colleague who could help implement what you learn district or school-wide (PD coordinator, instructional coach, etc.). Space is limited and filling up quickly. This PD is free of cost. Register here.
New Collaborative to Funds Charter Research
MIT Blueprint Labs recently launched a Charter School Research Collaborative to make charter research more actionable, rigorous, and efficient. The Collaborative will fund research proposals on long-term student outcomes, non-test score measures of school quality, the determinants of school quality, charter governance practices, and more (the full research agenda is here).
The first request for proposals is now open, and Blueprint seeks proposals of various sizes, with grants ranging from $10,000 to $500,000 based on research scope and stage. Apply here by April 17, 2024.
Teaching and Learning Conditions Colorado Survey Now Live
Codes for the statewide, biennial TLCC survey will begin arriving by email next week for survey coordinators to distribute. The anonymous survey will be available for all educators, special service providers, school leaders, and education support professionals to provide feedback from Wednesday, Jan. 24, until Friday, Feb. 23. Schools and districts must have 50% participation and five responses to receive results. The survey results can be used for continuous improvement, strategic planning, research and policy. Take the survey and track participation on the TLCC website.
Elevating Educational Quality: Member Council's Impact and the MQSS Program
The Member Council, crucial in advising on matters benefiting both the League and the community, introduced the Member Quality Standards & Supports (MQSS) program last year. Addressing the need for high-quality education, the program targets schools with lower academic performance through SPF ratings, set for release this week. MQSS aims to boost charter sector quality with stronger standards and intentional support. Despite less than 10% of League members falling into the bottom two performance categories, the program highlights the League's commitment to elevating the charter sector and improving education quality statewide. For inquiries, contact the Member Council, Dawna Taylor (VP of School Services), or Dan Schaller (President). Your engagement is vital as we strive for statewide educational improvement.
Call for Proposals: 2024 National Charter School Conference
The NCSC24 Call for Proposal is open! Submit a proposal to present a breakout session at this June’s conference.
League Flash Poll: Take a Couple Minutes to Help Us with PERA
PERA is looking to expand the pool of qualifying employees to include substitute teachers hired by third-party contractors, even if they remain employed by the contractor rather than the school. The League is actively pushing back on this issue and needs your help to assess the potential impact on our schools. Please take a quick 8-question survey to share your insights on current practices at your school and how this shift could affect you. We'll keep you updated on developments as we continue to oppose this initiative.
INCubatoredu Webinar Series by Uncharted Learning
Uncharted Learning invites you to a transformative webinar series featuring alumni panels sharing their experiences with high school entrepreneurship through INCubatoredu. Over the next two months, join three dynamic sessions to hear directly from students whose lives were shaped by this program. Discover how INCubatoredu prepared them for college success and propelled them into thriving careers. Engage in interactive discussions, pose your burning questions during Q&A sessions, and be inspired by real-world success stories. Save the dates, register now, and unlock the entrepreneurial journey with Uncharted Learning: Wed. 1/31, 10am MT: https://bit.ly/46AEszt
Funding Opportunities
Morelli Scholarship: Empowering Dyslexic Students in STEM Education
The Morelli Scholarship application opens on January 1, 2024, encouraging potential applicants to seize this opportunity. Geared towards students with dyslexia pursuing STEM degrees in the Fall of 2024, the scholarship prioritizes those excelling in STEM subjects despite challenges in English. Many scholars engage in our free Mentorship Program during their freshman year. Visit their website for more Foundation details and to access the application. Access the list of questions on our website before the application launch, allowing interested students to work on their submissions during the holiday season.
Cahn Fellowship
Cahn Fellowship provides advanced leadership development and recognition in large metropolitan areas to strong, talented school leaders to improve public education. The best schools are led by strong principals. Cahn Fellowship selects high-potential principals to participate in programs that maximize their talents and enhance their skills. These programs aim to have a dramatic impact on the performance of the school, the outcomes for the students, and the satisfaction and commitment of the principals themselves. Learn More.
Free crisis services available through Colorado Crisis Services
Colorado Crisis Services provides free, confidential and immediate support from trained professionals and peer specialists. Help is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by calling 844-493-TALK(8255), or texting TALK to 38255. Colorado residents can also seek services in-person at walk-in centers, regardless of ability to pay. To get help with a mental health, substance use or emotional concern—for you, or for someone you know visit the Colorado Crisis Services website.
CDE Updates
Educators encouraged to complete the TLCC Survey
The CDE and the Colorado Education Association encourage all school leaders and support professionals to participate in the statewide Teaching Learning Conditions Colorado (TLCC) survey. This confidential and anonymous survey is available at www.TLCCsurvey.org until 5:00 PM on Friday, Feb. 23. Individuals who work in schools can get their site survey codes from their CEA representative or school leader.
This biennial survey provides an important opportunity for educators, building leaders, and school support professionals to provide feedback and insights on the teaching and learning conditions of their schools and districts. The CDE uses survey responses to understand the areas where educators need resources and support. Schools and districts that reach 50% staff participation and at least five responses can also access survey results to help them understand the needs and concerns of the educators in their communities.
The Family Health Line is now 2-1-1
The Family Health Line phone number, 303-692-2229, has been fully transitioned to 2-1-1 and is no longer active. If this phone number is listed on any school or district website, please remove it and direct visitors to 2-1-1 Colorado. For more information contact Kasey Harlos at kasey.harlos@unitedwaydenver.org.
Prevention & Promotion Science Professional Development
This spring the Colorado State University Prevention Research Center, in partnership with CDE, will offer one-day, in-person regional training sessions on prevention science to support evidence-based prevention programs, practices and policies in schools. Afterward, participants can join remote learning communities to share their successes and challenges. The training dates and locations will be determined with interested district and school staff. Email Aubrie Radford at aubrie.radford@colostate.edu if you’re interested in participating. For more information contact Chauncey Stephens at stephens_c@cde.state.co.us or 720-355-3026.
Exceptional Children’s Educational Act High-Cost Reimbursement applications
Applications and instructions are available for reimbursement of special ed high-cost student expenditures for the 2022-23 fiscal year. In Administrative Unit and Out of District applications are due Friday, March 1.
Colorado Special Education Advisory Committee openings
CSEAC has openings for new members who are interested in the quality of education received by children and youth with disabilities. CSEAC is a state-level committee mandated by federal and state law that includes parents of individuals with disabilities, educational service providers, administrators and representatives from a variety of related agencies. The committee is statewide and representative of diverse disabilities. Click here to view the application and current list of vacancies on the CSEAC website.
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Awards nominations and applications open
PAEMST Awards are the highest honors the U.S. government bestows upon kindergarten through sixth grade teachers of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and/or computer science. Principals, teachers, parents, students and members of the general public may nominate exceptional Colorado STEM teachers who teach grades K-6 for the 2023-24 award year. Eligible teachers may also apply directly on the PAEMST website.
League News & Events
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Health & Wellness
Community Resilience Initiatives: New Funding Opportunities Available
In alignment with The Colorado Trust’s 2024-26 Strategic Plan, the Community Resilience Initiatives are three-year investments demonstrating the foundation’s belief in and commitment to the strengths, abilities and resiliency of Colorado communities. These seven grantmaking initiatives address the strategic plan’s three focus areas of food, housing, and mental and behavioral health, all of which emerged during the planning process as top priorities in communities across Colorado. This funding aims to bolster entities working to respond effectively to disruptions in communities resulting from economic downturns, social turbulence, public health crises, or a lack of coherent or effective public policy.
The Community Resilience Initiatives include seven competitive funding opportunities, each described in more detail at the links below. Each respective page provides information on the initiative’s goal, and links to the request for proposals, application template, pre-application webinar registration, and more:
- Sustaining Housing Solutions
- Diverse Approaches to Behavioral Health
- Expanding Access to Behavioral Health
- Accessing Healthy Foods
- Building Food Systems
- Capacity Building Assistance
- Policy and Advocacy
All pre-application webinars will be recorded and posted to these website pages after the live versions. The window for submitting a grant application for any of these initiatives is Feb. 15 – March 15, 2024.
If you have any questions after reviewing this information, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to your applications and thank you for your interest in the Community Resilience Initiatives.
Empowering Educators: Navigating Comprehensive Sexual Health Education with Trauma-Informed Practices, and Holistic Approaches
This series of two webinars is designed for educators who are teaching or will be teaching or supporting Comprehensive Sexual Health Education in their school or district. In these interactive webinars we will explore best practices when teaching comprehensive sex education and skills-based health education. Session one will dive into trauma-informed education, healing centered engagement, along with relevant Colorado legislation. These interactive and engaging sessions are brought to you by the Trailhead Institute and Thrive Consulting and in partnership with SHAPE Colorado. When: February 7, 2024, 4:15-5:30pm. Where: Zoom.
Invitation to Quarterly Lunch + Learn: Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Colorado Schools
Join the Colorado Project AWARE team and Envision:You for our upcoming Quarterly Lunch + Learn on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. The event, conducted via Zoom, will focus on the topic "What Do LGBTQ+ Youth Need from The Trusted Adults in Their Lives?" This webinar-style learning opportunity is open to all Colorado school communities, and we encourage you to share it within your networks. To attend, please register. For any inquiries, reach out to us at coaware@cde.state.co.us. Visit our webpage to learn more about Colorado Project AWARE.
Educator Residency Improves Teacher Diversity, Well-being
PEBC's pilot program, supported by a $1.5 million, 2-year grant from Kaiser Permanente, aims to rebuild the educator workforce in Colorado by recruiting teachers from historically underserved populations. The Teacher Residency program, aligned with the Thriving Schools initiative, focuses on integrating social and emotional well-being into classrooms to address burnout and retention challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, during the 2022-2023 school year, 9% of teaching positions in Colorado remained unfilled. Since the grant, the program has seen a 32% increase in participants from historically underrepresented groups, with retention rates 25% higher than the national average for program graduates. Learn more about the impactful PEBC Teacher Residency program.
Prioritizing Well-Being Among School and District Staff, Educators, and Administrators
Health and well-being are fundamental to our success in educating youth, engaging families, collaborating with colleagues, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Register for a four-part, learning series that prioritizes staff well-being with Alliance for a Healthier Generation and Kaiser Permanente Thriving Schools on January 25, February 22, March 14, and April 11 at 4 p.m. ET and 1 p.m. PT. All school and district staff, regardless of position or title — including cafeteria workers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, teachers, and administrators — are encouraged to attend this no-cost webinar series.
The Colorado Health Foundation: Feb. 15, 2024 Grant Deadline
- Building a Pipeline of Primary Care Providers to Serve Diverse Communities
- Capital Infrastructure - Increasing Access to Care for Coloradans of Color
- Equitable Community-Designed Outdoor Spaces
- Supporting Coloradans in Recovery through Nonclinical Programs
- Supporting Holistic, Culturally Responsive and Youth- Driven Physical Well-being
Free Health Equity Training
Check out the Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC)’s 90-minute recording of Equitable Language and Why it Matters. School Health Professionals play a vital role in student health! Enroll in the Health Equity Online Module, a 2.5-hour, self-paced online course from the Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center. The course is free and meant for those who are serious about walking their health equity talk but aren’t quite sure how to get started.
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Recent League Newsletters
- ACT (January 17, 2024)
- NEWS (January 19, 2024)
- MOVE (January 12, 2024)
- LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (January 24, 2024)
- CONNECT COHORT (January 25, 2024)
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