In addition to students returning to school, it’s been an action-packed month in the education scene in the Centennial State. 

Colorado Governor Jared Polis, the state Department of Education and education advocacy organizations are working together to leverage CARES Act funding and federal grants to innovate, bridge the digital divide and problem solve. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Polis and a more than $50 million education investment, Colorado students will have access to the learning tools and resources they need to succeed following the impact of COVID-19. 

On September 9, Governor Polis launched the $32.7 million Response, Innovation, and Student Equity Education Fund to quickly provide additional academic, social and emotional supports to students most affected by the pandemic; including low-income students, students of color, English learners, students with special needs, students experiencing food or housing insecurity and students in foster care. School districts, public charter schools, tribes and early childhood councils can apply, and extra points are given to ideas that serve rural students, communities most impacted by COVID-19 and that use evidence-based strategies to advance equity. 

“We must do more to expand opportunities for every student to receive an education that prepares them for a bright future. Which is why I’m thrilled to announce this transformative funding program that supports real innovation to close equity gaps in our communities, help our students rise, and share what works with others.” – Governor Jared Polis 

Public-private partnerships play a critical role in bridging the digital divide. Colorado is partnering with T-Mobile’s Project 10Million to provide free mobile hotspots and up to 100 gigabytes of annual data for 34,000 low-income households. The Colorado Department of Education allocated $2 million in CARES Act funding to help school districts to purchase hotspots and other creative solutions to rural connectivity problems. 

“Most folks think about the digital divide along urban and rural lines. But by the numbers, more families lack internet here on the front range than in all of rural Colorado combined. That divide falls along income lines. Even before COVID hit, we already had an unacceptably large achievement gap. Thanks to great work by Governor Polis and many others, we are on our way to ensuring that a lack of internet access doesn’t make that gap even worse.” – Senator Jeff Bridges 

In support of Colorado’s youngest learners, the U.S. Department of Education awarded the state a $16 million grant to implement the Colorado Comprehensive Literacy Project, which Commissioner Katy Anthes said will “enable the state to build upon the progress from the READ Act, which focuses resources on students in kindergarten through third grade. This grant will allow us to support learning prior to kindergarten and after third grade.  And it will allow us to focus on historically underserved populations.” 

“I hope that this money will be used to support teachers and parents to learn about and have a better understanding of the science of teaching reading. The READ Act specifically targets K-3 students.  However, reading instruction should begin prior to Kindergarten and continue through high school. With encouragement, learning and support, parents and teachers will be prepared to make sure students succeed.” – Joyce Rankin, Colorado Board of Education 

Governor Polis, the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Education Initiative also announced that they will continue partnering with Rocky Mountain PBS to “provide K-3 students, their families and caregivers with direct-to-home remote lessons in literacy, science, art and math through Colorado Classroom: Learn with Me at Home.” Programming began on September 7 and will air for 15 weeks. Accompanying lesson plans for families, caregivers and their children are also available on the website. 

For additional resources for state leaders on COVID-19, including highlighted solutions from states across the country, visit ExcelinEd’s COVID-19 resource library. 

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HB 20-1288, sponsored by Senator Bob Rankin and Representative Janice Rich, requires schools to post on its website the reading curriculum, instructional programs and interventions for struggling readers to keep parents and community members informed on how schools are working to improve early literacy. Schools will also be required to post the number of students with reading plans, the number of students who have demonstrated competency and how the school is using intervention funding.

“Colorado’s vision for the future of its education system includes an emphasis on literacy. All children can become strong readers if they are taught the right way. Evidence-based instruction aligned with the science of reading has not been applied routinely in Colorado classrooms, and these specific methods can make a big difference. We must hold schools accountable for demonstrating that the reading instruction is aligned with scientifically-based reading research.”

Senator Bob Rankin

“The research is clear: Students who leave third grade unable to read at grade level face dramatically longer odds of graduating high school and embarking on a successful, fulfilling career.

“Information is power. Parents and community members deserve access to transparent information on how reading intervention funding is being spent at the school. This bill will shed light on whether schools are using curriculum based on the science of reading and if schools are seeing improved outcomes for students as a result of accepting intervention funds.

“ExcelinEd in Action would like to thank Senator Bob Rankin, Representative Janice Rich and the Senate Education Committee for championing and supporting this important issue.”

Brad Galbraith, Regional Legislative Director, ExcelinEd in Action

For more information on early literacy and the science of reading, visit ExcelinEd’s policy library.

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The new law raises expectations, increases transparency and provides teacher support around the READ Act.

“The research is crystal clear: Students who leave third grade unable to read at grade level face dramatically longer odds of graduating high school and embarking on a successful, well-paying career.

“Thanks to bipartisan leadership from Colorado Senators Nancy Todd and Bob Rankin, Representatives Julie McCluskie and James Wilson, this legislation puts the focus on the classroom, teachers and helps students have the critical reading skills they need to be successful in school and in life.”

Tom Greene, Senior Legislative Director for ExcelinEd in Action

Senate Bill 199 does the following:

• School districts must create a systematic performance plan that outlines how the district is coordinating and aligning services, interventions and professional development based on the science of reading to help struggling readers;
• Creates an approved list of evidence-based reading programs, technologies to help with assessment, and professional development for teachers;
• Ensures schools provide struggling readers a minimum amount of uninterrupted instruction time that is research-based;
• Ensures school districts publicly report formative and summative academic achievement data for their struggling readers;
• Requires a third-party evaluator to determine which districts are making progress and districts that need more support;
• Creates a new required reading certification for teachers and support staff based on the science of reading. This new certification should align teacher preparation, professional development and support centered on the five pillars of reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension; and
• Creates a public awareness campaign to encourage community engagement and partnerships with local libraries.

For more on the importance of early literacy, visit the ExcelinEd policy library.

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The program helps ensure that students graduate high school prepared with skills, experience and knowledge for success in high-demand fields.

With today’s passage of House Bill 1266, the bill now heads to Gov. John Hickenlooper for his signature.

“This bipartisan legislation will ensure Colorado has a homegrown talent pipeline of prepared students who have the skills and knowledge to be successful and achieve the American dream. HB 1266 will ensure our schools are aligning their preparation programs with the needs of Colorado businesses.”

Sen. Owen Hill

The two-year pilot program has made Colorado a national leader in preparing students for success in high-demand professions. Nearly 30 school districts have received a roughly $500 bonus for each student who graduated with an industry credential in an in-demand field, completed a work-based learning experience or completed a computer science AP course.

In the first year, the number of students earning industry credentials increased by 60 percent in participating districts with demand exceeding the funds provided with the 2016 law.

“Thanks to the bipartisan support of state legislators, Colorado students will now benefit from increased access to post-secondary opportunities while in high school, which lead to increased student engagement, higher GPAs, and increased graduation rates. The Career Success program provides an important pathway for students to apply their learning and develop skills that will prepare them for Colorado’s high-growth, high-paying jobs.

“This program is a win for students, schools and local employers. We look forward to partnering with any stakeholder interested in taking advantage of the program.”

Scott Laband, president of Colorado Succeeds

Not only does the program help the state meet labor market demands, similar programs nationally have increased the graduation rate as well.

HB 1266 extends the program through 2024 and helps ensure more equitable sharing of funds statewide.

“We want to thank Representative Daneya Esgar, Representative James Wilson, Senator Nancy Todd and Senator Owen Hill for working across the aisle and sponsoring this transformative legislation.

“Ensuring Colorado businesses have qualified workers they need will drive Colorado’s economy forward, while giving students a path to lifelong success.”

Tom Greene, Western Regional Advocacy Director, ExcelinEd in Action

For more information on the value of College and Career Pathways, visit ExcelinEd’s policy library.

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The House Education Committee approved House Bill 1266 on Monday. It now heads to the state House Appropriations Committee for consideration.

“Results from the first year of the pilot program are in and the findings are clear: there is a strong demand for work-based learning in our schools. Colorado Succeeds strongly supported the passage of the Career Success pilot in 2016 because it helps the state meet labor market demands and prepares Colorado students for success after high school.”

Kelly Caufield, Director of Policy, Colorado Succeeds

The two-year pilot program has been wildly successful with nearly 30 school districts receiving a $1,000 bonus for each student who graduated with an industry credential in an in-demand field, completed a work-based learning experience or completed a computer science AP course.

In just one year, the number of students earning industry credentials increased by 60 percent in participating districts. The demand has outpaced the funds provided with the 2016 law. And nationally, students participating in career-focused programs are more likely to graduate high school.

HB 1266 extends the program through 2024 and helps ensure more equitable sharing of funds statewide.

“Colorado lawmakers understand that students need to graduate equipped to face the challenges of successfully entering the work place. Career pathways, like those successfully supported in Colorado, will meet labor market demands and prepare more students for success in college, in careers and in life.

“I want to thank bill sponsors Representative James Wilson, Representative Daneya Esgar, Senator Owen Hill and Senator Nancy Todd for working across the aisle to ensure more Colorado students have a path to the American dream and Colorado businesses have the workforce to drive the state’s economic engine.”

Tom Greene, Western Regional Advocacy Director, ExcelinEd in Action

For more information on the value of College and Career Pathways, visit ExcelinEd’s policy library.

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