Latest news with #ColoradoDepartmentofEducation
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
CDE releases preliminary state assessment results
STATEWIDE, Colo. (KREX) – The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) released the preliminary results of the CMAS, PSAT, and SAT exams given to students in grades three through 11 in Colorado public schools this spring. There was a balanced performance across the state in English Language Arts (ELA). For the CMAS exams, besides grades four and eight, all scores are at or above where they were before the pandemic. In regard to the SAT, 11th graders showed improvement in reading, writing, and math. PSAT 9 scores have stayed steady besides in math, which declined. PSAT 10 scores rose in math but declined in writing and reading. 'We wanted families to have early access to their students' results so they could celebrate areas of strength and seek support where needed,' said Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova. 'We're encouraged to see improvement in statewide scores in several areas. However, this release includes only limited data—we don't yet have information about how different student groups performed, which has historically been an area of concern for Colorado.' For families to access scores and results, they will need their student's State Assigned Student Identifier (SASID) and can go to the Family Score Report Portal. Growth information, disaggregated results, state, district and school-level data will all be released to the public in August. 'Providing timely access to assessment results gives families a clear view of year-end academic progress and helps identify summer support needs,' said Chief Assessment Officer Christina Wirth-Hawkins. 'By releasing preliminary state-level data now and making individual scores available through the Family Portal, we're reinforcing our commitment to informing families, educators and the community about Colorado student achievement before heading into the new school year.' For more information on the assessments, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
12-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Colorado Department of Education releases 2025 student performance report card
The Colorado Department of Education released preliminary results Wednesday outlining the overall success and progress made by Colorado students over the last year. Colorado public school students in grades three through 11 took the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS), PSAT and SAT assessments this spring. In most areas of study, students reached or surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with the exception of fourth-grade and eighth-grade English Language Arts and eighth-grade math. Changes reported in the state-level scores include: Steady student performance in English Language Arts (ELA), with slight increases in the percentage of students meeting grade-level expectations in grades five, six, and eight, and a more substantial gain in grade seven. In math, Colorado's elementary and middle school students continue to demonstrate strong progress, with notable year-over-year gains in grades four through eight and an upward trend since 2021. Overall, CMAS scores are at or above pre-pandemic levels in all grades except grade four (ELA) and grade eight (ELA and math). SAT results for 11th-grade students improved in both reading and writing and math compared to last year. PSAT 9 scores remained steady in reading and writing but declined in math, while PSAT 10 scores increased in math and decreased in reading and writing. Although final results will be released in August, including state, district and school-level data, the CDE decided to release the preliminary scores this week to help families identify areas their students need support in over the summer. "We wanted families to have early access to their students' results so they could celebrate areas of strength and seek support where needed," said Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova. Individual students' CMAS scores are available through the Family Score Report Portal. Parents and guardians must have their child's State Assigned Student Identifier (SASID) to access the student's information.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Semifinalists for 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year revealed
DENVER (KDVR) — And then there were 22. The semifinalists for the 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year were revealed Thursday, with the remaining contenders representing 22 schools from 17 districts and two charters. The Colorado Department of Education said this year's semifinalists — which already beat out nearly 400 other contenders — are the most 'geographically diverse' to date, with at least two representing every region in the state. Lawsuit against Purina plant's 'rancid' odor dismissed 'We're proud to recognize this incredible group of educators who represent the best of Colorado's teaching profession,' said Education Commissioner Susan Córdova, in a statement. The semifinalists were selected from a pool of 419 initial applicants from a total of 106 school districts, the CDE said. The candidates were reviewed by a committee of more than 40 people, including previous Colorado Teacher of the Year winners, Colorado Department of Education staff and representatives from the Boettcher Foundation. 'Each of these semifinalists has made a meaningful impact in their classrooms and communities, and we wish them all the best as they move forward in the selection process,' Córdova said. The 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year semifinalists are: Julie Ahrens from Twin Peaks Classical Academy (authorized by St. Vrain Valley School District) Artemio Baltazar from Grand Valley Center for Family Learning in Garfield County School District 16 Sarah Bayer from Polaris Expeditionary Learning School in Poudre School District Jessica Bell from Denver Green School Northfield in Denver Public Schools Kevin Brown from Red Rocks Elementary School in Jeffco Public Schools Liz Fitzgerald from Mesa View Elementary School in Mesa County Valley School District 51. Emily Gaytan from Centennial Elementary School in Harrison School District 2 Malynda (Mindy) Green from Revere School in Revere School District Elisamaria Heredia from Alamosa Elementary School 3-5 in Alamosa School District Re-11J Brittney Isom from Genoa-Hugo School in Genoa-Hugo School C-113 Teri Kopack from Durango High School in Durango School District 9-R Stephanie LaCount from Grand Junction High School in Mesa County Valley School District 51 Julie Milam from Canon City High School in Canon City School District RE-1 Julie Naski Roman from Carson Elementary School in Denver Public Schools Stephen Paulson from Greeley Central High School in Greeley-Evans School District 6 Tyler David Philipsen from Coronado High School in Colorado Springs School District 11 Gayathri Ramkumar from Aurora Central High School in Aurora Public Schools Diana Remick from La Junta Primary School in East Otero School District Sabra Sowell-Lovejoy from Campo Undivided High School in Campo School District RE-6 Elizabeth Rose Tarbutton from Peak to Peak Charter School (authorized by Boulder Valley School District) Kendall Van Valkenburg from Red Canyon High School in Eagle County School District Re-50J Leon Vasquez from Drake Middle School in Jeffco Public Schools Colorado fentanyl dealer sentenced in Texas after mailing pills to man who died The eventual winner will be Colorado's nominee for the Council of Chief State School Officers' National Teacher of the Year Program, be honored at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C., and receive $5,000 from the Boettcher Foundation, according to the CDE. Finalists for the 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year will be announced by the CDE in September. The ultimate winner will be named in October. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Two D51 teachers named semifinalists for Colorado Teacher of the Year
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — On Thursday, the Colorado Department of Education announced the 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year. Out of the 22 educators named as semifinalists, two are educators from District 51: Liz Fitzgerald from Mesa View Elementary School and Stephanie LaCount from Grand Junction High School. Fitzgerald is a first-grade teacher at Mesa View Elementary School in Grand Junction. She has been an educator for 17 years, and her honors include FIRST Inspire the Future Honoree and Outstanding Coach Award from the National FIRST Lego League. According to her semifinalist bio, she 'wants to create a safe place for students like her teachers did for her.' LaCount is an English Language Arts teacher at Grand Junction High School and has been an educator for 19 years. She has won awards such as the City of Fruita Teacher Appreciation award in 2020 and the KREX Golden Apple Award in 2018. According to her semifinalist bio, 'one of her goals as a teacher is to give students the power of self-acceptance.' Fitzgerald and LaCount were chosen from a pool of 419 applicants representing 106 school districts statewide. The pool of applicants had increased by 375% compared to the prior year. The Colorado Teacher of the Year program honors K-12 educators who have made an impact on their students, schools and communities. The selection process mirrors the standards of the national Teacher of the Year program. The semifinalist selection consisted of a review committee of over 40 people, including Colorado Teacher of the Year winners, Colorado Department of Education staff, representatives from the Boettcher Foundation and the lead sponsor of the Colorado Teacher of the Year program. 'We're proud to see educators from District 51 recognized among this year's semifinalists,' saidDr. Brian Hill, Superintendent of Mesa County Valley School District 51. 'We appreciate the workall of our teachers do each and every day to support our students, and we're cheering on and Ms. LeCount as they move forward in the process!' The semifinalists will move on to the next stage of the selection process, which includes additional essay questions from the teachers, and the finalists will be announced in September. The 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year will be named in October. 'These semifinalists reflect the dedication, passion, and innovation that great teaching requires,' said Boettcher Foundation Vice President of Grants and Programs Tiffany Anderson. 'We're honored to serve as lead sponsor for a program that shines a spotlight on educators who are shaping Colorado's future, and we look forward to celebrating all they've accomplished.' The educator chosen as Colorado's Teacher of the Year represents over 55,000 educators across the state, will receive national recognition in Washington, D.C. and will earn a $5,000 award from the Boettcher Foundation. Individuals can learn more about the program and the other semifinalists on the Colorado Department of Education's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Free summer meals available for Colorado children aged 18 and younger
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — On Tuesday, the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) announced that 635 summer meal sites are open throughout Colorado to provide free meals to children aged 18 and younger. Out of those 635 locations, 16 are open in Grand Junction. In Grand Junction, these locations include: Chipeta Elementary School, Dos Rios Elementary School, Pear Park Elementary School, Pomona Elementary School, Tope Elementary School, Bookcliff Middle School, Orchard Mesa Middle School, Grand Junction High School, CMU Tech, Candlewood Park, Clifton Community Center, Dual Immersion Academy School, EUREKA! Science Museum, Kimwood Park, Lincoln Park and Mesa Avenue Park. Parents, families and community members can learn more about locations and hours at No registration, identification, or proof of income or enrollment is required to access summer meals. All meals served meet USDA nutrition guidelines. The Colorado Department of Education's School Nutrition Unit, in partnership with community-based program sponsors, runs the Summer Meal Program and provided over 1.9 million meals to Colorado youth last year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture funds the program. CDE is currently working with 82 community organizations to run the 635 meal sites across the state. In rural areas, a to-go or delivery option for meals may be offered. Local schools, nonprofits, government agencies, camps, faith- or community-based organizations can join the program to provide new meal sites at any time throughout the summer. 'Many Colorado children rely on their schools for access to food, and our Summer Meals Program provides a critical resource for children and families during the summer months. We are grateful to our 83 community partners for stepping up to serve them,' said Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova. In addition to the Summer Meals Program, children and teens can get free meals over the summer through the Lunch Lizard. The mobile summer food program operates across Mesa County and served its first set of children on Monday in Fruita. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
