District Accreditation

Overview

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is responsible for annually accrediting all school districts in the state. Accreditation contracts have a term of one year. CDE will send districts individualized accreditation contract templates annually if the contract needs to be renewed or upon request. Signed contracts (by the superintendent and local board president) are due back to CDE, and then are signed by the commissioner of education and the state board of education chair.

Districts Accredited with Insufficient State Data, Improvement, Priority Improvement, Turnaround: Once district accreditation ratings and school plan types are finalized by the State Board of Education in November and December, districts must annually complete the accreditation contract for their district. The accreditation contract will be made available to superintendents via DocuSign and must be signed by both the district superintendent and the local school board president by the end of December.

Districts Accredited or Accredited with Distinction:  If requested by the district or local board, a customized accreditation contract will be made available to superintendents via DocuSign; district superintendent and board presidents will have until the end of December, to sign it. Otherwise the existing contract will be automatically renewed. Contact accountability@cde.state.co.us to request an updated contract. CDE recommends that a new contract be signed when there is a new superintendent and/or board president.  Otherwise, contracts must be signed at least every five years.

 Once completed, the Commissioner of Education and State Board of Education Chair will sign the contracts.  

If you have questions, please email accountability@cde.state.co.us.