News 

It’s Colorado Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-8, during National Teacher Appreciation Week. CDE invites you to share the love of our Colorado teachers virtually this year!

During this week, everyone is invited to share a post, image or video thanking a teacher on any social media site using the hashtag #ThankATeacherCO.

To help districts and schools celebrate, CDE has created several resources to spread the word. Access social media graphics, sample posts and more on the CDE Teacher Appreciation Week webpage.

Colorado rural teachers are invited to submit applications to attend the 2020 Colorado Space Business Roundtable (CSBR) Teacher Academy July 20-25 in Durango. CSBR is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the space industry in Colorado.

Teachers will receive tools and lessons that can be implemented in their classrooms to inform students about what is happening in the space industry, available jobs and requirements to obtain those jobs. This program is free to attend but participants are responsible for travel and meal expenses. Participants will receive continuing education credit, and scholarships may be available. For additional information, including application details, visit the CSBE Aerospace Teacher Academy webpage.

Educator Licensing

CDE’s Licensing Office has received questions about the impacts of COVID-19 on licensure requirements. Educators can find information about state statutes, rules and prevailing business practices on the COVID-19-Related Licensure Concerns webpage, as well as information about: 

• Obtaining, renewing or advancing a credential if an in-state or out-of-state applicant is:
  • unable to access Praxis® or other required exam(s) during COVID-19 closures or cancelations, and/or
  • unable to complete or document professional development or induction program completion.
• Obtaining required fingerprint-based background checks.

Additionally, educator licensing consultants are available to assist at CDELicensing@cde.state.co.us and (303) 866-6628. Please allow 24 business hours for a response.

A “COVID-19 Application Incomplete” status has been added in the eLicensing Verification Access system in response to licensing accommodations for applicants unable to complete content exams and/or professional development requirements due to COVID-19 related closures or cancelations. This new status is intended to help districts, BOCES and charter school human resource staff identify the reason an application is pending.

The new "COVID-19 Application Incomplete” status will only apply to applicants that have met all other application requirements but do not have sufficient professional development, coursework or documentation as outlined on the COVID-19-Related Licensure Concerns webpage.  

Once posted, the new “COVID-19 Application Incomplete” status will hold applications open pending a content exam through Nov. 30, and those pending an induction certificate or professional development documents will remain open for 120 days. All other applications will be evaluated and processed as usual.

Educator Development

Induction PLC opportunity: Virtual Start of Year

District, BOCES and charter school administrators can join a virtual induction professional learning community (PLC) meeting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, to learn about induction programming in the event of a virtual start of the school year. Educators will get the opportunity to ask questions and discuss ideas with peers. Registration is required for this PLC.

For questions or comments, contact Jennifer Simons at simons_j@cde.state.co.us or 303-866-6793.

Educator Preparation

Praxis® to launch tests at home

Educational Testing Service (ETS) recently announced its intention to launch the Praxis® tests at home in mid-May. The Praxis at-home test solution will be identical in content, format and on-screen experience as the version taken at a test center. While test centers are closed due to COVID-19, test takers will have a convenient and safe option for testing at home with multiple best-in-class security measures from ProctorU®.

As the launch date approaches for the Praxis tests at home, ETS will host a webinar to explain more about this new test delivery method at noon on Friday, May 8. The webinar will cover:

• An overview of the at-home solution, how it compares to regular testing options, as well as score reporting.

• Information about registration, equipment requirements and test environment.

• Details about security measures, including the use of real-time human monitoring and artificial intelligence technology.

Registration for the ETS May 8 webinar is required. For additional updates, please visit the ETS Testing Updates webpage.

Educator Effectiveness

On April 1, Gov. Polis issued an executive order that paused all state requirements related to S.B. 10-191 educator evaluations for school districts, charter schools and BOCES due to the suspension of in-person instruction because of COVID-19.

Districts,  BOCES and charter schools have autonomy through local control to finalize none, some or all their educators’ evaluations for the 2019-20 school year. To support districts and BOCES with the added flexibility around educator evaluations for this evaluation cycle, some system functions in the Colorado Performance Management System (COPMS) or RANDA can be adjusted. Districts, BOCES and charter schools using RANDA can access updated guidance on how to proceed within the system on the Educator Effectiveness website.

Educator Effectiveness updates and additional information can be found on the Educator Talent COVID-19 webpage. Please check this page often to find the latest updates. Educator Effectiveness regional team members are also available for individual support and to answer any questions as needed.