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Colorado Charter Schools

News & Updates

Governance Board Professional Development Updates

Through a collaboration with the Colorado League of Charter Schools (the League), the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI), and the Colorado Association of Charter School Authorizers (CACSA), CDE has developed updated governing board training modules, now accessible through the League's online Learning Management System, Freestone.

The revamped training program offers a more streamlined experience, condensing the previous 35 modules into 11, thereby making the training more efficient without compromising on quality. Below, you will find guidance on how to access these updated modules:

Charter School Board Training Modules: Access Guide via Freestone

It is important to note that the Charter School Board Training Modules on our previous platform, eNet, are now considered obsolete. Access to this platform is limited, and we encourage those still utilizing it to transition to Freestone to benefit from the latest updates and enhancements. If you are in the process of completing modules on the eNet platform, please finalize these modules as soon as possible and submit a request for a certificate of completion before June 30, 2024. This form can also be accessed on the Technical Assistance Requirements and Resources webpage. Beginning July 1, 2024, the Charter School Board Training Modules on eNet will be inaccessible.

Principal and Administrator Induction Program 2024-2025 Updates

With the conclusion of CDE’s Charter School Program State Entities Grant ending September 30, 2024, there are some immediate changes in our existing program. CDE’s partnership with CSI in providing charter-specific support and principal induction through the Administrator Mentoring Cohort (AMC) and Principal and Administrator Induction Program will be paused starting on July 1, 2024, until further notice.

During this period, we encourage interested individuals to explore professional development and induction opportunities offered through their school districts. For details on your district's induction coordination, please contact the CDE’s Educator Talent Office at Educator_Development@cde.state.co.us.

We are committed to providing timely updates and clear communication throughout this transition period. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and adaptability as we collaborate to ensure a seamless transition.

Join us for our Advancing Equity for Charter School Leadership Professional Development Series on 3/26 from 10am-12pm

The Schools of Choice Unit is excited to convene equity-driven individuals committed to personal and collective growth, actively engaging in self-reflection, understanding others' experiences, and leveraging their influence to create more equitable and inclusive environments. The theme for the February Meeting is "From Insight to Impact: Fostering Awareness and Driving Change in Public Education." Register here today

Join us for the in-person Charter Development Summit

Our in-person Charter Development Summit will take place on Thursday, April 4th from 9am-3pm at the Daniel’s Fund Offices (101 Monroe St, Denver, CO 80206). This summit will provide support for new, replicating, and expanding charter schools. We will focus on Community Engagement, Governance, Finance, and Inclusive School Culture. It’s going to be a great event and we hope to see you there!

OERColorado Digital Library

The OERColorado Project recently launched the OERColorado Microsite digital library in Fall 2023 for Colorado PK-12+ educators. The project is a statewide initiative, funded through state and federal grants administered by the Colorado River BOCES by 22-5-119, C.R.S. to provide access to digital collections of free, openly licensed curriculum materials. In addition to Colorado K-12 classrooms, the OERColorado Hub on OER Commons allows for public membership for preschools, homeschool, and adult education resources. OERColorado thanks Governor Jared Polis for his support to expand Open Educational Resources (OER) in the state. For more information on how to use OERColoado resources, visit the OERColorado on YouTube or email OERColorado@gmail.com.

2024-27 Colorado Student Wellness Grant request for applications open

The Request for Applications for the Colorado Student Wellness Grant for 2024 through 2027 is open. This three-year grant program supports the expansion and coordination of local student wellness policies, practices and programs for the physical, mental, emotional and social needs of students. Approximately $420,000 is available for the 2024-25 school year, pending state legislature approval, for local education providers including school districts, BOCES, charter schools, facility schools, the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind and Indian tribes or tribal organizations. Grants will be awarded for a three-year term and applications are due by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20. For more information contact Liz Schroeder at schroeder_e@cde.state.co.us or 720-926-1753.

Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative's Second Chance Scholarship is open

COSI is accepting applications for the Second Chance Scholarship from students planning to attend college in the fall of 2024. The Second Chance Scholarship offers up to $5,000 a year to students who have been released from the Division of Youth Services commitment facility within the last five years. The application is due Friday, March 15. For more information contact Marie Snow at marie.snow@dhe.state.co.us.

Opportunity, Access, and Inclusion Resources

Fellowship Opportunity for Native/Indigenous youth-serving providers

The Rise Fellowship Program is seeking applications for their fellowship which provides Native/Indigenous youth-serving providers with coaching, tools and resources so they can introduce evidence-based practices into their out of school time programs and strengthen impacts for children and families. Applications are due by April 1st, 2024. Learn more and access the application here

Edsurge Research Project LearningsDespite Challenges, Here’s Why These Black Women Educators Stay in the Classroom”

EdSurge, a digital news and research magazine about education, conducted a research project and facilitated virtual spaces for Black women to discuss their lived experiences in the classroom. We learned about some of these educators’ triumphs and obstacles as they engage in radical care for their students. Learn more here

CDE Equity Tool Kit

Imagine a school where ALL the children are loved and challenged, where the educators are empowered and where families and communities are seen as critical partners. Each of us is uniquely positioned to create a learning environment that honors the talents and gifts of each student so that they are prepared to thrive in their careers, in their homes and in their greater communities. This toolkit has been designed to give school leaders the tools and resources needed to capitalize on those unique strengths that foster supportive and effective relationships wherein the community works together to mitigate barriers to success. We designed this toolkit to support you and your community as you further build a learning environment where every student and every educator is supported to find success.

This toolkit is designed to provide user-friendly information and resources to support school and district leaders in centering equity in their work to support positive outcomes for the students they serve. We are all in different phases of our equity journey, and that’s okay. You are already off to a great start because you are here, you are reading, and you are open. We hope this toolkit supports you on your quest to create welcoming environments where all students and families feel a sense of belonging and all students are supported to achieve success.  Visit the CDE Equity Tool Kit.