Communications Tools

Communications Toolkits 2019-20

The following items are designed to help districts and schools communicate with parents about the Colorado Measure of Academic Success (CMAS) tests, Colorado's accountability system (including school and district ratings), and educator effectiveness metrics. The materials can be shared during parent information events throughout the school year.

Assessments

• Assessment Toolkit
  Fact sheets, drop-in letters and key messages are designed to help districts and schools communicate about Colorado Measures of Academic Success tests. These materials can be shared with parents during parent information events, newsletters or parent teacher conferences. All materials may be tailored to meet local needs.

District and School Accountability

• School and District Accountability Toolkit
  Fact sheets with high-level explanations about Colorado's accountability system and SPF/DPF, school plan types and district ratings, also fact sheets that explain the growth model system and an explainer about mean scale scores can be sent along with a drop-in article to parents or educators.

Educator Effectiveness

• Educator Effectiveness Metrics
  Drop-in articles, fact sheets and instructions for access are available for district leadership and principals when training staff or community about educator effectiveness. All resources are able to be modified and personalized to meet individual needs.
• Frequently Asked Questions

READ Act

• READ Act toolkit for parents
  An overview of the READ Act, FAQ about the early literacy law, animations in both English and Spanish, key facts about the importance of early literacy, tips for how to support reading at home and how to talk to your teacher about your child's reading progress.
• READ Act toolkit for educators
  This toolkit includes fact sheets, drop-in letters, an overview of the READ Act, FAQs as well as a sample social media campaign about the READ Act.

U.S. Census

• Teacher Resources about the U.S. 2020 Census
  CDE has created a webpage with resources for teachers to help instruct students about the 2020 Census. The webpage highlights the Statistics in Schools program that provides relevant lessons across all grade levels and many subject areas to engage students in learning about the importance of the census.
• General Census Information - English I Spanish 
  This fact sheet provides general information about the U.S. Census, which will be conducted in 2020. Information includes the kinds of questions that will be asked, information on what the census is and who should respond. 
• Census Data confidentiality - English I Spanish
  This fact sheet explains in detail that the responses you give to the 2020 Census are safe, secure and protected by law. The answers are used only to produce statistics.  
• Visit the state's demography office for more fact sheets
  The fact sheet on the Colorado Department of Local Affairs website include general information about the 2020 Census, how to get involved and more information about privacy.

Additional Resources

Colorado Academic Standards

• Parent Guides for Kindergarten - High School
  Hand these out to parents to help them understand what their children will be learning this year, or send a link to them in your electronic communications.

• Academic Standards in Action (PDF)

Graduation Guidelines and ICAP

• View more information about graduation guidelines and ICAP

Promising Partnership Practices

• CDE, in collaboration with the State Advisory Council for Parent Involvement in Education (SACPIE), collected practices from schools and districts about working with families for student learning. Districts can use these practices as guidance when creating their own family engagement plan.