Empowering Action for School Improvement (EASI) Application

• EASI Application Planning Document (PDF)
  • Note: This resource is intended to provide information on EASI and to be used in planning responses to the application.
  • For an alternate version of this document, please email Kim Burnham.

• EASI Menu of Supports (PDF)
• CO-MTSS Team Membership Form (PDF) (Attachment C)
• EASI Approval and Transmittal Form (PDF) (Attachment D)
• EASI Eligibility and Prioritization Overview 
  • EASI 2020-2021 Prioritization Overview (PDF)
  • EASI 2020-2021 Eligibility and Prioritization (XLS)

Exploration Supports Route

LEA is interested in funds and/or services to explore a solution (e.g., external diagnostic review, planning, community engagement) for the identified school(s) or particular populations within an identified school. This is a planning phase with a small allocation for implementation activities. The exploration supports include:

• Diagnostic Review
  • Holistic Review Providers
  • English Language Development (ELD) Review - District
  • English Language Development (ELS) Review - School
  • District Early Literacy Instructional Program Review
  • AEC and Online Schools Review
• Stakeholder and Community Engagement Planning
• Improvement Planning

District Designed and Led Improvement Strategies Route

LEA has a plan or is already implementing a plan that meets school(s) needs and is interested in pursuing grant funds to support activities.

• District Designed and Led Requirements

Offered Services Route

LEA is interested in applying for an existing CDE service aimed at improving school systems. Services may include a comprehensive approach that includes diagnostic review, planning, and implementation phases.

• Accountability Pathways Planning and Implementation
• Colorado Multi-Tiered System of Supports (CO-MTSS)
• Connect for Success
• School Turnaround Leadership Development Program
• School Turnaround Network

Piloted Services Route

LEAs and schools interested in applying for participation in a new piloted support aimed at improving school systems.

• Facilitated Board Training for School Improvement Pilot

EASI Support Fairs

LEA and school staff are invited to participate in the EASI Support Fairs and Provider Expo. These virtual events will provide district and school staff the opportunity to learn about state and federal identification, meet and connect with CDE staff, learn more about supports programs provided through CDE, and connect with external program providers.

• Tuesday, October 6, 2020
  • 9 am to 12 pm
  • Location: Online
  • Register for the EASI Support Fair

Virtual Office Hours

Technical assistance time with CDE staff members (via web-conference) will be available twice a week, on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

• Wednesdays: Dedicated sessions may be scheduled in 20-minute time slots from 3 pm - 4 pm (September 30 - November 18).
  • Registration Information Coming Soon
• Thursdays: Anyone may join for open office hours with the EASI team from from 10 am - 11:30 (October 1 – November 19).
  • Link Coming Soon

Several types of external providers will attend the Expo:

• Holistic Diagnostic Review providers
• Providers who are on CDE’s Advisory List of providers for school redesign and improvement, representing the following categories:
  • External Management Providers
    • Full district or school management, or
    • Partial management focused on one or more of the Four Domains for Rapid School Improvement (PDF) (i.e., culture shift, instructional transformation, leadership and talent development.
  • Leadership Development Providers
  • Charter School / Charter Network Providers
  • Stakeholder Engagement Specialist Providers

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

• 9 am to 11:30 am 
• Location: Online
• Registration Information Coming Soon

EASI Application Prior Year

• 2018-2019 EASI Application
• 2019-2020 EASI Application

EASI Budget

• Annual Financial Report (AFR) for EASI Awardees (XLS)

Additional Prior Year Resources

• 2017-2018 Approved EASI LEAs and Schools (XLS)
• 2018-2019 Approved EASI LEAs and Schools (XLS) 
• 2019-2020 Approved EASI LEAs and Schools (XLS)

With the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and with revisions to the state’s Educational Accountability Act (HB 17-1355), Colorado is taking the opportunity to change the way school improvement (1003a through ESSA and the Transformation grant through HB 17-1355) funds are awarded to LEAs. Rather than multiple applications on separate timelines, CDE now streamlines school improvement opportunities into a single application and using a “needs-based approach” to award services and funding. Ultimately, the intent is to develop a robust process of matching schools’ needs with rigorous, evidence-based strategies and adequate resources. Additionally, awarded funds will enhance districts’ and schools’ ability to meet the ESSA and state requirements (e.g., stakeholder engagement, improvement plan, implementation of evidence-based interventions) in a way that directly benefits students.

Colorado is committed to aligning federal and state accountability to the degree possible. These grant funds are aimed at districts with schools that are designated as (1) Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CS) and Targeted Support and Improvement (TS), Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (A-TS) under ESSA, and (2) Priority Improvement Turnaround or Watch through the state accountability system. Specific eligibility and prioritization requirements for each support is detailed in the Menu of Supports and the application.

General Application Questions:

Laura Meushaw
303-866-6618
Send an email to Laura

Kate Bartlett
720-765-6082
Send an email to Kate

Online Application Technical Assistance:

Kim Burnham
303-866-6916
Send an email to Kim

Budget Questions:

Evan Davis
303-866-6129
Send an email to Evan