Mid-Summer Accountability Update

Happy mid-summer!  I normally wouldn’t send a communication the week of the big summer CASE conference, but we know that many of you are eager to get any updates on the use of PSAT/SAT results in the 2024 performance frameworks.  Teaser:  We have an update on that and many other things too (e.g., accountability data release updates, updates to the district accountability contact list, and reminders on other accountability-related work and support/resources).  Do not hesitate to contact me or anyone on the Accountability & Continuous Improvement team if you have questions or need assistance ([email protected].us).  Hope to see many of you in person in Breckenridge later this week. 

Lisa Medler, Executive Director
Accountability and Continuous Improvement, CDE & the ACI Team

Update on PSAT/SAT Data in Performance Frameworks

Linked is the memo that we just released to the State Board of Education this morning with an update on the findings from CDE’s study to use the new Digital PSAT/SAT results in the 2024 performance frameworks.  You will see that we have laid out our findings (1) Data is appropriate to use for Growth, (2) Overall scores shifted down, especially on the lower end of the scale, and (3) Scores are different enough to warrant re-norming the 2024 accountability cut scores.  We have also included tables of the adjusted 2024 PSAT/SAT cut scores for the 2024 performance frameworks (1- and 3- year). 

Data Release

• Growth Data (Released ACCESS: June 26; Anticipated Release CMAS/SAT: Mid-August). The 2024 ACCESS student growth detail files (including On-Track growth) and individual student growth reports (ISRs) were released to District Accountability contacts via Syncplicity June 26. CMAS/SAT student growth detail files and CMAS individual student growth reports (ISRs) are scheduled to be released in mid-August to accountability contacts. The student level data files will include student growth percentiles calculated using the typical cohort methodology. CMAS will also include baseline growth and CMAS On Track Growth for informational purposes. This data will be embargoed until its public release at the August state board meeting.
• Performance Framework Source Data (Anticipated Release: Mid-August). A number of data files which include the underlying data that is used to calculate the performance framework reports will also be released via Syncplicity in mid-August.  This will include student level achievement, matriculation, and participation files. 
• Preliminary Framework Reports (Anticipated Release: Late August).  PDF reports of the preliminary School and District Performance Frameworks are scheduled for release through Syncplicity in late August.  CDE will release preliminary plan type data publicly by posting a file on the accountability website and in the District and School Dashboard.  Alternative Education Campus (AEC) frameworks are anticipated to be released to districts mid-September.
• Data Dashboards through Online UIP (Anticipated Updates: August, as data is released). UIP data dashboard updates are scheduled for August with the release of growth data. This information is accessed by logging into the UIP/ACI online system.  To access the dashboard through the online UIP, go to the ‘Data Narrative -Trend Analysis’ tab (traditional template) or “Priorities and Targets” (streamlined template). This resource may be used to support staff to build out the data analysis that is needed for improvement planning.

We included the 2024 accountability timeline (in table format) again at the end of this communication.

Assigning District Accountability Contacts for Syncplicity Access and Communications

Accountability Contacts that need to access data files (including student level personally identifiable information) for the district are assigned using the Identity Management (IdM) system by Local Access Managers (LAMs) (signed forms are no longer needed!). Only those who are designated by their LAM to the UIP~Accountability Contact role will receive access to Syncplicity. View the spreadsheet to see who is identified as an accountability contact based on LAM assignments. Note that this spreadsheet changes daily based on LAM assignments from the prior day. For more information on set-up, visit the Online System access and user guide.

Anyone that is interested in receiving accountability communications only (no need to access PII data) must complete the Accountability and Improvement Contact Request Form to be added to the mailing list. District staff may also use this form to designate themselves as a contact for Improvement Planning or Family School Community Partnership work. 

Accountability Reminders and Links to Resources

Accreditation Form (required for all districts): All districts must review and verify the district rating and school plan types using the Accreditation Form (in the Accreditation Portal within the UIP/ACI online system) by September 23. The form will be available to district accountability contacts once frameworks are released to districts. Your user role must be designated as “Accountability Contact” to access the form, as described in this guide. For additional support, fill out the assistance request form using your district’s information or email [email protected]. 

Request to Reconsider: Additional details on the 2024 request to reconsider process for schools and districts is posted on the request to reconsider website. The request to reconsider process will begin upon the release of preliminary frameworks.  Final request to reconsider materials are due October 15. 

2024 UIP Plan Submission: Improvement plans are due for public posting on October 15 unless the district is eligible for submission flexibility (e.g., biennial, combined, January).  The UIP will be populated with school and district specific information (submission deadlines, requirements) with the public release of rating information. Reminder for districts:  You need to decide for the district and your schools whether to use the new Streamlined UIP template or the traditional template for the 2024-25 school year. For information on how to access the Streamlined UIP template, review the Streamlined Template fact sheet.

Accountability Resources: The department has developed a variety of self-serve resources to help understand 2024 accountability processes. These include:

• 2024-25 District Accountability Handbook - This handbook provides an outline of the requirements and responsibilities for the state, district, and school stakeholders in the state's accountability process. 
• Accreditation and Request to Reconsider Guidance - Guidance for Finalizing Accreditation Categories and Submitting Requests to Reconsider for District Accreditation Ratings and School Plan Types for 2024.
• 2024 Annotated Framework Report and 2024 AEC Annotated Framework Report - This resource is an annotated report with call out boxes that identify key information and changes to the performance framework report since the prior release.

The timeline chart with the upcoming accountability activities is included at the end of this communication.  All accountability resources are available on the CDE website. For additional accountability support, contact [email protected]. 

UIP Resources: A variety of resources have been developed to support district and school leaders in the planning process, including updated Quality Criteria and evidence-based strategy and implementation guides. All UIP resources are available on the CDE website. For additional UIP support, contact [email protected]. 

School/District Streamlined UIP, Improvement Planning & Accountability Support: Office Hours - Thirty-minute consultation sessions with School Improvement Planning team staff are available to offer support and guidance regarding school/district Streamlined UIP, improvement planning, data analysis, school performance frameworks, accountability and/or data analysis. You can sign up for one or more sessions at this link.

Accreditation and Request to Reconsider: Office Hours - One hour consultation sessions with CDE staff are available Tuesdays and Thursdays from August 27 to October 15 to help address any questions about the accreditation or request to reconsider process. You can register for office hours at this link.

Upcoming Trainings: The department is hosting a series of trainings and webinars to support districts and schools with the release of state assessment and performance framework data. These include:

• Accreditation and Request to Reconsider Webinar: August 20 from 1:00-2:00pm, register here.
• Growth 101 Webinar: August 22 from 1:00-2:00pm, register here.
• 2024 Insufficient State Data Ratings Webinar: August 29 from 10:00-11:00am, register here.
• My Site has a Priority Improvement / Turnaround Plan Type. Now What? Webinar: August 30 from 10:00-11:00am, register here.

CDE staff hosted a 2024 Accountability Updates webinar on July 10, the link to the recording and the slidedeck are available. This webinar provided updates on accountability for the 2024-25 school year. Other future training opportunities are posted here: https://www.cde.state.co.us/accountability/accountabilitytrainingtechnicalassistance. 

Tentative 2024 Accountability Timeline 

All dates are subject to change depending upon data availability.