Unified Improvement Planning

Upcoming Maintenance:

UIP Online System will be unavailable during the following times due to system maintenance by CDE:

Tuesday, 8/19/2025, 5:00PM - 7:00AM, Wednesday, 8/20/2023
Tuesday, 8/26/2025, 5:00PM - 7:00AM, Wednesday, 8/27/2025

About

Unified Improvement Planning was introduced in 2009 to streamline improvement planning components of state and federal accountability requirements. Based on the Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids (SB212-08), the primary purpose of improvement planning is to align efforts to: Ensure all students exit the K-12 education system ready for post-secondary education, and/or to be successful in the workforce, earning a living wage immediately upon graduation.

Colorado schools and districts can improve student learning and system effectiveness by engaging in a cycle of continuous improvement to manage their performance. To support this purpose, the Education Accountability Act of 2009 requires each Colorado district and school to create an annual improvement plan.

The intent is that schools and districts create a single plan that has true meaning for stakeholders, ultimately reducing the total number of separate plans required. With that in mind, the Colorado Department of Education has developed a unified improvement planning template and processes to support schools and districts in their performance management efforts.

The UIP template has been designed to meet state, federal, and program accountability requirements.

Announcements

The following key information and resources are available to support school improvement planning in 2025-26:

All UIPs have transitioned to the streamlined Unified Improvement Planning template. You can find more information about the streamlined layout in this informational overview.
Resources to provide access and navigate the online UIP system have been updated to reflect improvements and changes, specifically including directions for combined schools.
The accountability timeline found on the accountability landing page, can support sites in planning for local implementation.
A single quality criteria document includes expectations for both school and district requirements.

For districts and schools that will have their plan reviewed by CDE, there is an option for a consultation process that is the review process for the plan, allowing for additional context and real time feedback on the improvement efforts. This process is most beneficial before the UIP is finalized, with sign up now available.

What's Up and Coming

During the embargo period, achievement, growth and PWR data will be accessible in dashboard format in the online UIP system under the "Priorities and Targets” tab to support planning three days after data are shared with districts.
UIP templates will be updated in the online system with preliminary rating information and associated requirements and assurances three days after data are shared with districts.
The submission deadline for UIP’s is October 15, 2025 unless the district is selecting to exercise certain flexibilities. Customized flexibilities are described in each school and district online template under “Home Page, Plan Details” and “Assurances and Requirements.”

School/District Streamlined UIP, Improvement Planning & Accountability Support: Office Hours

Thirty-minute consultation sessions with SIP Team staff are available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9a-11a and 1p-3p. This time is provided to offer support and guidance regarding school/district Streamlined UIP, improvement planning, data analysis, school performance frameworks, accountability and/or data analysis. Please note: This appointment may be shuffled to a more appropriate staff member based on your specific needs.
Registration Link - Please note that registration closes two hours before office hours start. If you are trying to register within two hours of the designated office hours, please call Stacey Battaglia at 720-668-4949.

Accountability

In Colorado's accountability system, district and schools are assigned ratings or plan types. There are different requirements for submission and plan content based on the plan type that can be found in the UIP Guidance documents. The Code of Colorado Regulations for the administration of statewide accountability is also available and provides the official accountability and accreditation rules as passed by the State Board of Education.

The UIP, the UIP handbook, and this website are designed around the four components of improvement planning (in the table below). Tools and resources are included to provide greater detail and recommendations for leading the planning process, help schools and districts understand UIP requirements, and support facilitation of the continuous improvement cycle.

Continuous Improvement

The diagram depicted here illustrates the theory of action behind Colorado's approach to improvement planning. By engaging in a continuous improvement cycle to manage performance, districts and schools will improve their effectiveness and the outcomes for students.

Focus attention on the right things (performance indicators);
Evaluate performance by gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data about performance;
Plan improvement strategies based on performance data, root cause analysis, and evidence-based strategies
Implement planned improvement strategies.

Evaluate Plan Implement

For More Information

Please contact the SIP Team, UIPHelp@cde.state.co.us, or 720-668-4949.