As Colorado works on drafting the state's plan to implement the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), this periodic e-newsletter will provide updates on major developments, including information about the work of the hub and spoke committees, as well as important actions by the Colorado Department of Education, State Board of Education and U.S. Department of Education.
Recent news
Colorado State Board of Education pushes back deadline for submitting ESSA plan
At the November meeting of the Colorado State Board of Education, board members agreed to delay the submission of the state’s ESSA plan for a little over a month. Board Chairman Steve Durham set a new deadline of April 30 instead of early March -- a move that was approved unanimously by the rest of the board. The new time frame will give more time for thoughtful development and meaningful public comment. Learn more here.
ESSA Hub committee makes key decision during November meeting
The Central Hub committee met on Monday, Nov. 7, and made a key decision, voting to send a draft of the standards section to the State Board of Education for consideration. The move is significant as the Hub committee continues to work under a tight deadline to provide draft sections to the State Board of Education, which will make the final approval of the state plan before submission to the U.S. Department of Education next year. Find out more about the Hub meeting here.
Schedule determined for public comment on ESSA state plan drafts
The Colorado Department of Education will begin a process for the public to provide feedback to the ESSA drafts through an online survey. Of particular importance are comments related to specific ESSA decision points and those related to new ESSA programs, new program flexibility and substantive changes to programs. Respondents will begin to be able to make comments with the Accountability and Standards Spoke Committees on Nov. 30. Additional feedback windows will be announced in the ESSA newsletter and posted to our ESSA Feedback Schedule and Submission webpage on a rolling basis. This will ensure CDE has adequate time to review the comments, incorporate them as appropriate and prepare a final draft for review by the State Board of Education.
Presidential election and the impacts on ESSA
Many are wondering about the potential impact of the recent presidential election on the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), in general, along with the Every Student Succeeds Act, specifically. While it is all speculation at this point, many expect the election will result in a delay in 2017-2018 appropriations for federal education programs. Many also expect the results could mean a reduction in funding for USDE staffing and operations, along with a rolling back of regulations and the enforcement of regulations. At the very least, there will be a new U.S. Secretary of Education. Although several names have surfaced as a possible replacement for Secretary John King, currently it is uncertain who the nominee will be.
Comments submitted Nov. 4 on proposed regulations for Title 1 supplement, not supplant
The Colorado Department of Education submitted formal comments on the proposed regulations on Title 1 supplement, not supplant. Learn about the regulations here.
Spoke committee updates, resources and news:
- Standards Spoke Committee: View the Standards draft section and other materials submitted to the Hub committee here.
- Title Programs and Assurances Spoke Committee: View the materials from the Nov. 17 meeting here,
- Assessment Spoke Committee: View materials and recordings from October and November meetings here.
- Accountability: View materials from November Participation Group, EL Group,and CSI/TSI Groups here.
Dec. 12 Hub meeting will be broadcast live
The Dec. 12 Hub committee will be an extended session beginning at 10 a.m. “Listen Live” by following this link.
Meeting calendar
- Central Hub committee will have meetings on Dec. 12, Jan. 9, Jan. 19 and Feb. 6. The Dec. 12 meeting will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the State Board of Education Board Room, 201 E. Colfax Ave. See the meeting times, agendas and minutes here.
Informational resources
ESSA Guidance from the U.S. Department of Education:
More ESSA resources:
- Fact Sheet on Supplement-not-Supplant
US Dept. of Education released a fact sheet on Supplement not Supplant under Title I of ESSA. Click here for the fact sheet.
- Federal Flash: Weekly video updates on federal education policy
The Alliance for Excellent Education releases a weekly video update on YouTube on various important education issues, including information on ESSA. Check out the latest videos and other resources about ESSA by following this link.
All of CDE's ESSA information, including feedback from ESSA Listening Tour and other documents, can be viewed here.
ESSA in the News
To provide a comment
Please follow this link if you would like to make a comment about the development of Colorado's ESSA plan. Thank you.
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