2019

FIELD GUIDE TO Education IN About Colorado Succeeds

Colorado Succeeds is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that brings business leaders across the state together to ensure all of Colorado’s children are educated to their greatest potential, and all the state’s businesses have the homegrown talent needed to thrive. We harness the business community’s expertise, influence, and capital to: n Create Change We work to remove public policy barriers and consistently improve the educational ecosystem to work for all kids. n Invest in What’s Working We identify and invest in promising initiatives and practices, focused on a high return on investment and sustainable impact. n Scale Success We expand access so that all learners can benefit from a relevant and responsive educational experience. And we’re in good company. Our network represents over 100 companies and partners across the state, reaching Coloradans in all 64 counties. Join us.

For more information, contact: Colorado Succeeds [email protected]

Connect Online: www.coloradosucceeds.org facebook.com/coloradosucceeds twitter.com/cosucceeds www.linkedin.com/company/colorado-succeeds Introduction

This handy Field Guide is designed to give you quick and easy access to key data that will support you in your work to improve education in Colorado. There’s a common understanding in business that what gets measured gets done. Using data, we can continue to hold Colorado’s education system accountable and ensure that limited resources are not only well spent, but also invested in the areas most needing improvement. The Field Guide puts the education data that matters the most at Coloradan’s fingertips. We hope you will use this tool in your efforts to bolster education outcomes and join our calls for continuous improvement.

Contents Executive Summary 5 The Basics 19 Student Performance 39 Education & The Economy 51 State Leadership 61 Our Coalition 69 1 Vision 2030 Framework THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION A Call-To-Action Children sitting in kindergarten classrooms today will graduate from high school in the year 2030. Experts predict that 85% of the jobs available in that same year have yet to be invented. Though the economy and labor market are evolving in ways we can’t predict, one thing is certain: the future needs raw human ingenuity, collaboration, and emotional intelligence; people who are empowered to shape technology, rather than be replaced by it. Will Colorado rise to the challenge?

Colorado’s Challenge Our current education system was built for a past era, when humans were manufacturing goods on assembly lines and computers didn’t exist. This system has not kept pace with the changes to the economy and external environment. As a result, Colorado has a sizable skills gap and one of the largest achievement gaps in the country.

The Next Revolution Today’s workforce is globally connected, network-based, knowledge-based, and where we’re headed is rapidly evolving.

The Solution Futurists agree that education needs to prepare students for jobs that don’t exist yet, to work with tools that have yet to be created, and to solve problems that have yet to be identified. We are calling this new era the Age of Agility. Colorado Succeeds believes in 7 principles to help Colorado create an agile education system that supports agile learning providers and develops agile learners who are prepared to succeed in a rapidly changing environment.

2 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | INTRODUCTION

Principles For Action n Set expectations, get out of the way n Focus on outcomes, not inputs​ n Equip all families with information and access​ n Empower local learning providers​ n Fund students, not systems​ n Eliminate silos, share everything​ n Measure performance, continually improve​

Student Competencies

Student Experiences

Education Principles

Learn more here: https://coloradosucceeds.org/vision-2030- framework/ 3 4 Executive Summary Executive Summary Executive Summary Executive Summary

5 EARLY LITERACY

Currently, 15.7% of CO K-3 students have a Significant Reading Deficiency (SRD).

SUBGROUP RESULTS: READ ACT 2017 ASSESSMENT (K-3)

51%

29% 24% 23% 25%

Students English Students with Hispanic Black Qualifying for Free Language Disabilities & Reduced Lunch Learners PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS WITH A SIGNIFICANT READING DEFICIENCY (SRD)

Source: Colorado Department of Education (2018) 6 STUDENT PROFICIENCY IN MATH

Only 36% of 5th grade students and 28% of 8th grade students meet (or exceed) CO’s state standards for math proficiency.

STUDENT PROFICIENCY IN MATH

Grade 5 (2018) Grade 8 (2018)

28% 36%

64% 72%

% Students at Grade Level % Students Below Grade Level

Source: Colorado Department of Education (2018) 7 STUDENT PROFICIENCY IN SCIENCE

Only 36% of 5th grade students and 31% of 8th grade students meet CO’s state standards for science proficiency.

STUDENT PROFICIENCY IN SCIENCE

Grade 5 (2018) Grade 8 (2018)

36% 31%

64% 69%

% Students at Grade Level % Students Below Grade Level

Source: Colorado Department of Education (2018) 8 STUDENT PROFICIENCY IN LANGUAGE ARTS

Only 47% of 5th and 44% 8th grade students meet CO’s state standards for proficiency in English Language Arts.

STUDENT PROFICIENCY IN LANGUAGE ARTS

Grade 5 (2018) Grade 8 (2018)

47% 44% 53% 56%

% Students at Grade Level % Students Below Grade Level

Source: Colorado Department of Education (2018) 9 ACT

Only 45% of CO’s high school students are meeting ACT college-readiness benchmarks.

6-YEAR TREND: ACT SCORES

In 2017, 100% of Colorado graduates 45% took the ACT. As the state transitioned the statewide test from ACT to SAT, participation fell to 30% in 2018.

25% 25% 26% 25% 26%

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Percentage of test takers that met all 4 benchmarks

Source: ACT (2018) 10 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE

At 79%, CO’s high school graduation rate has increased slightly since 2011 but is below the 2016 national average of 84%.

4-YEAR TREND: COLORADO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATES

79% 79%

77% 77%

2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (2018); Colorado Department of Education Graduation Dashboard (2017) 11 READINESS FOR COLLEGE COURSES

77% of incoming students at 4-year colleges and 44% of incoming students at 2-year colleges do not require remediation.

COLORADO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES NOT PLACED INTO REMEDIATION (2017)

4-YEAR COLLEGES 2-YEAR COLLEGES

100% TARGET

77% 44%

Percentage of high school graduates NOT Percentage of high school graduates NOT placed into remediation at 4-year colleges placed into remediation at 2-year colleges

Source: Colorado Department of Education (2018) 12 COLLEGE GRADUATION RATE

CO’s college graduation rate at 4-year colleges is 63% and at 2-year colleges is 34%.

GRADUATION RATE AT 4- & 2-YEAR COLLEGES (2018)

4-Year Colleges 2-Year Colleges

63% Colorado 34% Colorado 65% United States 38% United States 82% Highest in US (IA) 64% Highest in US (SD)

Percentage of 4-year college Percentage of 2-year college students that graduate within 6 years students that graduate within 6 years

Source: National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (2018) 13 CREDENTIALS AND DEGREE ATTAINMENT

Only 34% of high school graduates go on to successfully complete a postsecondary credential (a certificate, associate degree or bachelor’s degree) within 4 years.

POST-SECONDARY CREDENTIAL COMPLETION

74% 2020 TARGET

34%

Percentage of students completing a post-secondary credential within 4 years

Source: Colorado Department of High Education (2018) 14 NATIONAL COMPARISON - MATH

CO is ranked 16th nationally in 4th grade and 14th nationally in 8th grade math.

MATH: GRADE 4 & GRADE 8 (2018)

Grade 4 Grade 8

42% Colorado 38% Colorado 40% United States 33% United States 53% Highest in US (MA) 50% Highest in US (MA)

Percentage of students at proficiency Percentage of students at proficiency

Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress (2017) 15 NATIONAL COMPARISON - READING

CO is ranked 13th nationally in 4th grade and 8th nationally in 8th grade reading.

READING: GRADE 4 & GRADE 8 (2018)

Grade 4 Grade 8

40% Colorado 41% Colorado 35% United States 35% United States 51% Highest in US (MA) 49% Highest in US (MA)

Percentage of students at proficiency Percentage of students at proficiency

Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress (2017) 16 ACHIEVEMENT GAP

CO has some of the largest racial and socio-economic achievement gaps in the country. There is a 31% point gap in 5th grade language arts proficiency rates between students in poverty and their more affluent peers.

5TH & 8TH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS PROFICIENCY (CDE, 2018)

61% 58% 56% 54% 53% 39% 32% 30% 27% 31% 29% 29%

11% 8% Students Students not English Not English Hispanic Black White in Poverty in Poverty Language Language Learners Learners

5TH GRADE 8TH GRADE Percentage of students meeting or Percentage of students meeting exceeding state proficiency state proficiency

Source: Colorado Department of Education (2018) 17 18 The Basics The Basics The Basics The Basics

As a society, we expect constant improvement in all aspects of our lives – technology, healthcare, and consumer goods. There is no reason, therefore, why we shouldn’t see continuous improvement in the education we deliver to our children. This section provides demographic information and important insights into Colorado’s education system to help policymakers, business and civic leaders, students, parents, and the public effectively engage in improving it.

19 Who Attends Colorado Public Schools?

Total Pupil Count for 2017-2018 School Year: 910,280 This is the smallest increase since the 1989-1990 school year.

Percentage Economically Disadvantaged: 41.7%

Percentage English Language Learners: 14.1% Source: Colorado Department of Education (2018) 20 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | THE BASICS

Who Attends Colorado Public Schools?

Pupil Count Racial/Ethnic Group October 2017 %

American Indian or Native Alaskan 6,455 0.7%

Asian 28,948 3.2%

Black or African American 41,671 4.6%

Hispanic/Latino 306,434 33.7%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 2,290 0.3%

Two or More Races 38,003 4.2%

White 486,479 53.4%

Total 910,280 100%

Colorado Students by Specified Type of Instruction

Number of Type of Instruction Students % Gifted and Talented 67,082 7.4%

Special Education 98,984 10.9%

English Language Learners 128,274 14.1%

Online 19,876 2.2%

Title 1 227,089 24.9%

TITLE 1 is the largest K-12 federal education program. It provides Percentage English additional funding to schools with high numbers of children from Language Learners: low-income families to ensure all students meet challenging 14.1% academic standards, regardless of their background. Source: Colorado Department of Education (2018) 21 Colorado Schools by Type

4.6% Elementary 5.8% School Middle 8.6% School High School Combined Elementary/ 50.4% Middle 16.5% School Combined Middle/ High School Combined 14.1% Elementary/ Middle/High School

No. of Grade Level Schools Elementary School 958 Middle School 268 High School 314 Combined Elementary/Middle School 165 Combined Middle/High School 111 Combined Elementary/Middle/High School 86 Total 1,902 Source: CDE - SchoolView Data Center Homepage (August 29, 2018) 22 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | THE BASICS 178 School Districts There are 178 traditionally defined school districts in Colorado, Elementary School and an additional eight that are special local education agencies, such as regional education service agencies (RESAs), Middle School supervisory unions, state operated agencies, federally operated agencies, and independent charter districts with student High School enrollment greater than zero. Combined Number of Number of Elementary/ District Size (Students) Students Percentage Districts Middle School More than 50,000 301,160 33.1% 4 Combined 25,000-49,999 226,770 24.9% 7 Middle/ High School 10,000-24,999 161,897 17.8% 9 Combined 5,000-9,999 101,033 11.1% 14 Elementary/ Middle/High 1,000-4,999 83,659 9.2% 42 School 500-999 15,193 1.7% 21 Under 500 20,568 2.3% 90 Total 910,280 100% 186

24.9% 33.1%

17.8%

2.3% 9.2% 11,1% 1.7%

Source: Colorado Department of Education (2018) 23 10 Largest School Districts by Student Population

Student School District Population

Denver County 1 91,794

Jefferson County R-1 86,112

Douglas County RE 1 67,597

Cherry Creek 5 55,657

Adams-Arapahoe 28J 40,920

Adams 12 Five Star Schools 38,870

St. Vrain Valley RE 1J 32,421

Boulder Valley RE 2 31,282

Poudre R-1 30,019

Colorado Springs 11 27,427

Total 502,099

The largest 10 school districts (5.6% of the districts) represent 55.2% of the state’s students.

Source: Colorado Department of Education (2018) 24 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | THE BASICS State Spending on K-12 Public Education

$5.99 $5.49 $5.30 $5.45

$8,137 $7,662 $7,313 $7,419

2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019

State Education Funding State Average (in Billions of Dollars) Per-Pupil Funding

Colorado State Operating Budget General Fund 2018-2019 Appropriations

0.9% 36.6% Human Services/Health Care

Higher Education 8.8% General Government

K-12 Education

11.9% Corrections/Judicial

Other 34.0% 7.7%

Source: CDE Facts and Figures; JBC Appropriations Report FY18-19 25 Per-Pupil Funding by District This information is based on all revenue (state, local and federal). Districts with fewer than 500 students were excluded. $5,000 $7,500 $10,000 $12,500 $15,000 $17,500 $20,000 $22,500 $25,000 $20K-$25K Per-Pupil 1 District TOP 10 Spending $15K-$20K 6 Districts Aspen 1 $24,913.72 Platte Valley RE-7 $18,219.92 Ignacio 11JT $17,778.30 Fort Morgan 3 $17,744.11 Garfield 16 $17,265.96 Park County RE 2 $16,238.25 $12K-$15K Clear Cree, RE-1 $15,553.57 25 Districts Sheridan 2 $14,957.74 Rangely RE-4 $14,668.50 Lake County R-1 $14,601.49

Per-Pupil MEDIAN 10 Spending St. Vrain Valley RE-1J $11,331.76 Garfield R 2 $11,312.98 Littleton $11,297.15 Trinidad 1 $11,168.27 MEDIAN Poudre R 1 $11,136.25 Colorado Springs 11 $11,059.03 Manitou Springs 14 $10,918.23 $10K-$12K 40 Districts Platte Canyon 1 $10,855.92 Adams County 12 $10,852.85 Weld County/Gilcrest RE-1 $10,769.77 Rocky Ford R 2 $10,732.36

Per-Pupil Spending COLORADO SCHOOL DISTRICTS - FUNDING PER PUPIL SCHOOL DISTRICTS COLORADO BOTTOM 10 Mesa County Valley 51 $9,540.36 Eaton RE-2 $9,505.21 Monte Vista C-8 $9,497.89 Pueblo County 70 $9,253.29 Montrose County RE-1J $9,026.61 $5K-$10K 22 Districts Widefield 3 9,000.57 Lamar R 2 $8,946.77 Julesburg RE-1 $8,713.20 Johnstown-Milliken RE-5J $8,628.73 Byers 32J $7,235.59

Source: U.S. Census Bureau – Annual Survey of School System Finances, 2016 5000 26 7500 10000 12500 15000 17500 20000 22500 25000 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | THE BASICS

Preschool in Colorado The Colorado Preschool Program is the state’s public preschool initiative and serves children aged three to five years who risk being unprepared when starting grade school. Since its creation in 1988, it has served over 352,000 young children. The Colorado Preschool Program is not a universal program and the available spots are currently capped by the legislature at 28,360. Race/Ethnicity of Children Served by CPP

Children Served Race/Ethnicity by CPP Percentage

American Indian or Alaska Native 224 1%

Asian 779 3%

Black or African American 1,957 7%

Hispanic or Latino 14,434 54%

White 8,437 32%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 63 1.7%

Two or More Races 832 3%

Total 26,726 100%

Over 80% of preschool students in this program were served by public schools.

Source: CDE, Colorado Preschool Program Legislative Report (2018) 27 Kindergarten in Colorado

Only 78.4% of children attending kindergarten in Colorado attend full-day kindergarten.

Colorado does not mandate full-day kindergarten and does not pay for full-day kindergarten. Colorado requires school districts to offer kindergarten; however, the state does not mandate that they offer full- day kindergarten and only provides a little more than half of the funding per kindergarten student. School districts may raise additional taxes to pay for full-day kindergarten.

Source: Colorado Department of Education (2018) 28 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | THE BASICS Colorado Charter Schools As of April 2018, there were 120,513 students attending 250 charter schools in Colorado. This represents 13.2% of the total student enrollment in the state.

Population Comparison (2016-2017) Colorado Charter & Traditional Public School Demographics:

50.5% White 54.5%

35.9% Latino 33.6%

6.1% Black 3.7%

2.9% Asian 2.2%

American Indian or 0.8% Alaska Native 0.8%

0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Public Charter Schools 3.6% Two or more races Traditional Public Schools 3.75”

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Source: Colorado League of Charter Schools (2018) 29 Charter School Institute The Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) is the state’s only non-district charter school authorizer. Currently, CSI authorizes 39 Colorado charter schools across the state. In 2004, House Bill 04-1362 created CSI and granted it the authority to approve or deny charter school applications, monitor charter school operations, and assist in the conversion of certain district charter schools to a CSI charter school. CSI may authorize charter schools in districts that have not retained exclusive authority to authorize charter schools within their district. It accepts applications from those interested in starting a charter school, as well as those interested in transferring, expanding or replicating an existing charter school. Governance As an independent state agency, a nine-member Board of Directors governs CSI; seven appointed by the Governor and two by the Commissioner of Education.

CSI schools serve more than 17,500 PK-12 students across the state

Source: Charter School Institute (2018) 30 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | THE BASICS Colorado Academic Standards 1993 Research shows that by 2020, House Bill 93-1313 employers will hire candidates based initiated standards- on their ability to: based education for all Colorado students. • Convey complex information clearly 1996 The state legislature • Draw conclusions established the • Make recommendations based Colorado student on facts and reasoning assessment program. 2009-2010 The Colorado Academic Standards were designed to ensure students After a public learn how to think critically, reason engagement process through problems, make informed to review and decisions, and effectively revise standards, communicate. the Colorado State Board of Education State standards for student learning approved updated define what students should know standards in all and be able to do at the end of a 10 content areas, grade level or grade span. Standards creating the Colorado improve student outcomes by setting Academic Standards. a bar for student performance, 2018 defining the floor — not the ceiling — of student learning. The State Board of Education updated Standards for student learning are and revised the not new in Colorado. The most recent academic standards version of the Colorado Academic in all 10 content Standards passed in 2010. During the areas. Essential skills spring of 2018, the State Board of (i.e., post-secondary Education approved revisions to the and workforce standards, as required by statute. Full competencies) implementation of the standards is guidance also planned for 2020. finalized to ensure students demonstrate college and career

Source: Future Forward (2015); Colorado Department of Education readiness. 31 Assessment To ensure students are meeting state academic standards and prepared for college and career, Colorado joined the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC), and adapted the test to create the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS). However, the Colorado Department of Education decided in May 2017 to phase out of the PARCC consortium opting to work with testing company Pearson to develop its own English and math tests. These will roll out during the 2019 testing cycle. CDE plans to purchase some questions from the PARCC organization for 2019, as well as develop new test questions with Pearson. CDE will purchase only those questions from PARCC that were developed with Colorado teachers.

When Do We Test Our Students? Subject Testing Schedule

Math & In 3rd grade through 8th grade annually Language Arts

Science In 5th grade In 8th grade In 11th grade

In 4th and 7th grades on a sampling basis of Social Studies one-third of elementary and middle schools.

College PSAT in 9th and SAT in Entrance Exam 10th grade 11th grade

Source: Colorado Department of Education (2018) 32 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | THE BASICS School & District Accountability A rigorous accountability system that uses multiple measures is critical to ensuring districts and schools are providing students with a high-quality education. Senate Bill 09-163 (2009), The Education Accountability Act, established the framework that evaluates all schools and districts across the state using the same set of indicators and measures.

The framework includes: n A review of individual school and district-wide achievement, growth, and post-secondary workforce readiness. Provides parents and policymakers with pertinent information about how schools and districts are performing. n An Accountability Clock, which places chronically low-performing schools and districts on a timeline for improvement while providing additional support from the state. n School improvement designed around unified improvement planning tailored to each school. n A 2018 law passed stipulating that a district or school must meet performance targets for two consecutive years before state support and oversight is removed. Improvement plans must also include parental and community engagement early on.

Source: Colorado Department of Education (2015-2016) 33 Accreditation Districts are evaluated based on several key performance indicators and assigned to one of five accreditation categories by the state. The five categories are:

Number of Percent of 2017 DISTRICT PERFORMANCE RESULTS Districts Districts HIGHEST PERFORMING Accredited with Distinction 30 16.3%

Accredited 90 48.9%

Accredited with Improvement Plan 49 26.6%

Accredited with Priority Improvement Plan 9 4.9%

Accredited with Turnaround Plan 0 0% LOWEST PERFORMING Insufficient Data 6 3.3% Source: https://www.cde.state.co.us/accountability/2017_dpf_sbe

Performance Framework The District and School Performance Framework (DPF/SPF) is an annual evaluation of schools and districts that provides a more in depth analysis on growth among a number of indicators and measures. The school categories are:

Number of Percent of 2017 SCHOOL PERFORMANCE RESULTS Schools Schools HIGHEST PERFORMING Performance Plan 1,205 69.7% Improvement Plan 318 18.3% Priority Improvement Plan 120 7% Turnaround Plan 39 2.3% LOWEST PERFORMING Insufficient Data 46 2.7% Source: https://www.cde.state.co.us/accountability/2017_spf_sbe_12_13_17 The results of the frameworks are used to indicate which schools are higher performing and lower performing, the latter of which are then assigned into different categories for state support, including more serious interventions after the Accountability Clock timeline passes without improvements. 34 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | THE BASICS Every Student Succeeds Act The Every Student Succeeds Act Timeline of ESEA & ESSA (ESSA) was signed into law in 1965 December 2015, reauthorizing The Elementary and Secondary the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, signed by Education Act (ESEA) and President Lyndon Johnson replacing No Child Left Behind. n Landmark civil rights legislation; ESSA seeks to ensure that states created the Title I program that provide all students, regardless allocates federal funding to states to support disadvantaged of background, access to a high- students quality education. Each state is 1978 required to submit a plan to the Education Amendments Act U.S. Department of Education and the Middle Income Students outlining how it will use Assistance Act, signed by additional federal resources to President Jimmy Carter improve outcomes for students, n Allowed schools with 75% especially those in schools with student population in poverty to high poverty rates. State plans use Title I funds for school-wide must also address important programs issues such as standards, 2002 assessments, accountability, No Child Left Behind signed by data transparency, and President George W. Bush supporting teachers and leaders. n Established important expectation that schools must Colorado’s ESSA plan was make progress with all student approved by the federal groups Education Department in 2015 May, 2018. Under the plan, Every Student Succeeds Act some additional schools will signed by President Barack be identified for support and Obama improvement. n Shifts school accountability and improvement power back to The plan features a new states Application for School 2017 Improvement, a one-step n Colorado submitted state plan process for districts with under ESSA incorporating schools identified for stakeholder feedback including intervention to access services from Colorado Succeeds and funding specifically tailored 2018 to the unique needs of each n U.S. Department of Education identified school. approves Colorado’s state plan

Source: U.S. Department of Education (2018); Colorado Department of Education (2018) 35 Policy Progress & Accomplishments Many consider Colorado a national leader and model for education reform based on significant policies that have been implemented over the last 10 years, most notably:

Year Policy Description 2008 Senate Bill Colorado’s Achievement Plan for Kids (CAP4K), 08-212 created focused, coherent, and rigorous academic standards (preschool through post- secondary); informative assessments aligned to the new standards; school readiness definition, and plans; and a common definition of post- secondary and workforce readiness.

2008 Senate Bill The Innovative Schools Act allows a public 08-130 school or group of public schools to submit to its school district board of education an innovation plan to allow them to implement innovations within the school or group of schools, such as: delivery of educational services, personnel administration and decision-making, and budgeting.

2009 Senate Bill School and District Accountability created 09-163 shared accountability measures for districts and schools; placed significant value on student academic growth and post-secondary readiness; developed a cycle of support and intervention for struggling schools and districts; and emphasized school and district improvement efforts.

2010 Senate Bill The Great Teachers and Leaders Act ensures 10-191 that there are annual performance evaluations for all educators based on statewide standards. Evaluations are focused on meaningful feedback and continuous professional growth, non- probationary status is earned and retained based on demonstrated effectiveness, and school leaders are empowered to make staffing decisions for their building.

36 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | THE BASICS

Policy Progress & Accomplishments (continued)

Year Policy Description 2010 State Colorado Academic Standards (CAS) were Board of approved by the Colorado State Board of Education Education to update standards in all 10 content Adopted areas and incorporate the Common Core State Colorado Standards in math and english language arts. Academic The standards set rigorous teaching and learning Standards objectives, but specific curriculum and pedagogy remain the right and responsibility of local districts, schools, and educators.

2012 House Bill Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic 12-1238 Development (READ) Act focuses on early literacy development, assessment to identify struggling readers and diagnose the root cause of their reading difficulties, parent engagement in creating a customized READ plan - including research-proven interventions to bring their child up to grade level - and shared accountability for literacy growth and achievement.

2014 House Bill The Student Success Act establishes school-level 14-1292 financial reporting, providing school leaders a tool to measure return on investment, and allows taxpayers to evaluate how their money is being spent. The bill tripled charter school facilities funding and dedicated $18 million annually to fund the early literacy reforms in the READ Act.

2015 House Bill Responsibly reduces testing while protecting 15-1323 key accountability and comparability measures. Requires districts to report on testing time and increases transparency for students and parents.

2017 House Bill Requires school districts to provide public 17-1375 charter schools equitable access to locally-raised tax revenue.

37 38 Student Performance Student Performance Student Performance Student Performance

In Colorado, academic performance varies widely by demographic subgroup, and this results in a significant achievement gap. This is most pronounced for Black and Hispanic students. These students’ National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores, high school graduation, and college completion rates are dramatically lower than those of their white peers. Identifying these gaps is just the first step in ensuring students across Colorado receive a quality education. The success of all our students will ensure a strong future for Colorado.

39 Residents with post-secondary degrees: 56.2%

Colorado Education Pipeline

For every 100 students who enter high school 100

Only 79 will earn a diploma 79

And only 34 high school graduates will earn a college 34 credential in four years

Source: Colorado Commission on Higher Education (2018) 40 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | STUDENT PERFORMANCE National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Scores Over Time NAEP is the largest nationally representativ​e and c​ontinuing assessment of what America’s students know and can do in various subject areas. Subject areas include mathematics, reading, science, writing, the arts, civics, economics, geography, U.S. history, and in technology and engineering literacy.

Grade Level / Subject 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017

Grade 4 / Reading 36% 40% 39% 41% 39% 40%

Grade 4 / Math 41% 45% 47% 50% 43% 42%

Grade 8 / Reading 35% 32% 40% 40% 38% 41%

Grade 8 / Math 37% 40% 43% 42% 37% 38%

Less than 50% of Colorado’s elementary and middle school students perform at grade level in reading and math.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (2018) 41 International PISA Results PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) is an ongoing international assessment program that measures 15-year-old students’ reading, math, and science literacy every three years. The program is focused on providing insights for education policy and practice. PISA 2015 covered 35 OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and 37 partner countries and economies.

Out of 73 countries, the United States ranked:

MATH 40th READING 24th SCIENCE 25th

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Source: PISA (2015); PISA 2018 results will be released in December 2019. 42 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | STUDENT PERFORMANCE Colorado’s National Achievement Gap Rankings Income, race, and ethnicity gaps in student performance are alarming. Colorado is in poor standing compared to other states, and the ninth worst in the country in math gaps for Hispanic 8th grade students.

4th Grade 8th Grade GAP Math Reading Math Reading Low Income/ 13th 15th 14th 11th Non-Low Income LARGEST GAP LARGEST GAP LARGEST GAP LARGEST GAP

Black/White 14th 10th 15th 12th LARGEST GAP LARGEST GAP LARGEST GAP LARGEST GAP

Hispanic/White 7th 10th 9th 13th LARGEST GAP LARGEST GAP LARGEST GAP LARGEST GAP

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (2017) Statistics include District of Columbia

Higher Education Attainment Gap Post-secondary Degree Attainment Rate Among Colorado Adults (ages 25-64)

70

60 64% 50

40 39% 30 29% 29% 20

10

0 White Black Hispanic Native American/ Alaska Native

Source: Colorado Rises, CDHE (2017) 43 Nation’s 7th Largest Achievement Gap 4th Grade Mathematics Gap Between Hispanic and White Students

Mississippi Arkansas Kentucky Wyoming Florida Oklahoma Montana Colorado’s South Carolina Hawaii Hispanic Iowa Nevada students are North Carolina almost three Delaware Indiana grade levels Ohio Texas behind. Missouri North Dakota South Dakota Tennessee Alaska Georgia Louisiana Michigan Nebraska New Hampshire New Mexico New Jersey New York Oregon Arizona Massachusetts Rhode Island Utah Illinois Washington Wisconsin California Idaho Virginia Colorado Alabama Maryland Connecticut Minnesota Pennsylvania District of Columbia 0 10 20 30 40 50

Note: Maine, Puerto Rico, Vermont and West Virginia - no data available. Source: National Center for Education Statistics (2017) 44 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | STUDENT PERFORMANCE Colorado High School Graduation Rate Only 79% of Colorado students graduated from high school on time in 2017. 45th in the Nation According to the U.S. Department of Education

COLORADO

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (2018) Note: Statistics include District of Columbia

Four-Year Colorado Graduation Rates All students: 79.0% Native American: 64.1% Asian: 89.8% African American: 71.9% Hispanic/Latino: 71.1% White: 83.9% English Language Learners: 64.6% Economically Disadvantaged: 68.5% Source: Colorado Department of Education (2018) 45 Colorado’s Student Population Changes and the Achievement Gap (2007-2017) Percent Change in Student Demographics

40 39.7%

30

20 14.6% 10 9.3%

0 All Native African Students American Asian American Hispanic White 0 -1.0% -10 -12.0% -20

-30 -30.5% -40 Source: Colorado Department of Education (2018)

Percent Change in Graduation Rate by Demographic

26 24.5% 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10.0% 10 9.0% 8 7.5% 6 5.0% 4.5% 4 2 0 All Native African Students American Asian American Hispanic White

Source: Colorado Department of Education (2017) 46 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | STUDENT PERFORMANCE College Readiness Many Colorado students are not properly prepared when they leave high school and enter college. Less than half of high school graduates are prepared for college level reading, math, and science. In 2018, only 45% of students scored at the college-ready level on average in all four core subjects, according to their ACT performance.

Percentage of Colorado High School Students Meeting ACT College Readiness Benchmarks by Subject

100

90

80 82% 70

60 65% 61% 50 57% AVERAGE ACROSS ALL FOUR SUBJECTS - 45%* 40

30

20

10

0 English Reading Mathematics Science

*This compares to 26% in 2017.

GOAL: Colorado’s state goal: 100% “to graduate all students from high school prepared for college.”

Source: ACT (2018) 47 College Remediation by Subject Percent of Students (High School Class of 2016) Statewide Requiring Remediation by Subject

31.9% WRITING 22.8% READING

45.3% MATH

In 2016, 35.3% of Colorado high school graduates needed a remedial course.

Source: Colorado Department of Higher Education (2018) 48 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | STUDENT PERFORMANCE Student Persistence in Colorado Only 34% of Colorado high school graduates persist through college to earn a post-secondary degree or credential within four years.

Colorado’s Annual Average Pipeline Performance

100 100% 90

80

70 79%

60

50 55.8%

40

30 33.7% 20

10

0 Begin Graduate High Enroll in College/ Earn a 9th Grade School in 4 Years Post-secondary Post-secondary Program Credential or Degree

Source: Colorado Department of Higher Education (2018)

49 50 Education & The Economy Education & The Economy Education & The Economy Education & The Economy

Colorado’s business community understands that the relationship between our public education system and our state’s economy is symbiotic, each one depends on the other for survival. Colorado’s employers expect K-12 standards to align with the knowledge and skills that our young people need to be ready for college, career, or military service in an increasingly competitive global economy. It’s no secret that Colorado employers need more skilled workers. Thousands of Colorado jobs go unfulfilled every year because applicants often lack the knowledge and skills needed to fill them. This “skills gap” is unsustainable for our economy, and business leaders across the state are partnering with leaders from education, government, and the community to build a stronger education system for everyone.

51 Achievement Gap = Earning Gap Colorado High School Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity

100

90 89.8% 80 83.9% 79.0% 80.2% 70 76.5% 71.9% 71.7% 60 64.1% 50

40

30 GRADUATION RATE GRADUATION

20

10

0 All American Asian African Hispanic White Native Two or Students Indian/ American Hawaiian/ More Alaska Pacific Races Native Islander Source: Colorado Department of Education (2018) Colorado Income Disparity Across Race/Ethnicity (Median Household Income by Race)

$80K $79,594 $75K $75,285 $70K

$65K $69,117

$60K $62,634 $55K

$50K $51,558 $51,550 $45K $47,745 $40K $42,216 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME $35K

$30K All American Asian African Hispanic White Native Two or Students Indian/ American Hawaiian/ More Alaska Pacific Races Native Islander Source: U.S. Census Bureau - American Community Survey (2017) 52 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | EDUCATION & THE ECONOMY Economic Impact of a Highly Educated Workforce for Colorado If Colorado Students Obtained the Levels of Education Needed to Compete in Today’s Economy Over the Span of 10 Years:

Colorado would gain 57,600 additional graduates with post-secondary education levels needed for Colorado’s jobs

These graduates would earn an additional $8.5 billion

This additional income means more money flowing into the economy....

$1 billion $472 million $1.4 billion in new revenue increase increase and public savings in auto spending in home spending

Leading to greater economic outcomes for Colorado....

Over $12 billion 14,600 new in increased jobs created GDP growth

Source: Colorado Succeeds (2018) 53 Education Supply and Demand 74% of jobs in Colorado will require some form of post- 74% secondary education by 2020.

Only 34% of Colorado high school graduates earned at least one 34% certificate or degree within 4 years.

Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Work- force (2013); Colorado Department of High Education (2018) 54 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | EDUCATION & THE ECONOMY Fastest Growing Colorado Industries/Jobs

Ranking Industry Number of new jobs in 2016 Professional and 1 Business Services  10,000

Trade, Transportation, 2 and Utilities  8,700

Education and 3 Health Services  8,400

Leisure and 4 Hospitality  6,200 5 Government  4,600 6 Construction  2,500

Financial 7 Activities  2,000

Other service 8 industries  1,700 9 Manufacturing  1,600

Natural Resources 10 and Mining  1,100 11 Information  300 0

2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 14,000 16,000

Source: Colorado Business Economic Outlook (2018) 55 Career and Technical Education

93% of top growing jobs in CO demand some level of post-secondary education.

COLORADO

21,176 post-secondary CTE certificates and associate degrees were awarded in the 2016/2017 academic year.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) ensures a thriving Colorado economy by providing relevant, rigorous education that is responsive and aligned to workforce needs.

or 133,585 of secondary students are 39% enrolled in some form of CTE studies.

school-based CTE programs 1,376 in Colorado high schools.

school districts 162 offer CTE programs.

Source: Colorado Department of Higher Education (2018) 56 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | EDUCATION & THE ECONOMY STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)

By 2020, nearly 55% of Colorado’s jobs will require STEM-related training or education. Yet fewer than 25% of Colorado students are earning such credentials.

Half of all STEM jobs are available to workers without a four-year college degree, and these jobs pay $53,000 – a wage 10 percent higher than jobs with similar education requirements. -Brookings Institute

A Colorado graduate with a computer science degree can expect to earn $95,000 upon college graduation. This is roughly double the average starting salary in Colorado.

Colorado STEM is a coalition of highly engaged business, education, and civic leaders in support of high-quality science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and experiences for all students. Colorado Succeeds serves as the host organization.

Source: ColoradoSucceeds.org/STEM 57 Incentives for Industry Credentials (House Bill 16-1289) Innovative incentive program that rewards schools with a $1,000 incentive when high school students....

Earn an industry-recognized 1 credential tied to an in-demand job, or Complete an apprenticeship/ 2 residency program, or Pass the AP Computer 3 Science exam. $2 million program pilot enacted expanded for 5 in 2016 years in 2018

In its first two years: Year 1 Year 2  9,000 industry credentials 2016-2017 2017-2018 earned by students Districts  The $3 million of funding over Participating 27 37 two years has covered one-third Total of all eligible credentials earned Credentials (requests total $9,000,000). Reported 3,106 5,689

Majority of Credentials 16% Earned In.... 31% Skilled Trades and Technical Services STEM and IT 25% Health Care and Criminal Justice 26% Hospitality, Human Services and Education

Source: CDE Factsheet (2018) 58 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | EDUCATION & THE ECONOMY Innovative Models in Colorado

Concurrent Enrollment  86% of high schools offer opportunities to earn post-secondary credit hours. 41,857 Colorado students participated in dual enrollment programs.

Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment (ASCENT)  33 Colorado school districts offer this 5th year program for college credits

Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH)  Collaborative effort between a district, industry partner, and college to offer industry-recognized certificates and associate’s degrees. There are five schools:  Falcon Tech/Skyline High School (St. Vrain School District)  Power Technical Early College (James Irwin Charter School)  EC@N-STEM/Northglenn High School (Adams 12)  Canon City High School (Canon City RE-1)  STEM School Highlands Ranch (Douglas County School District)

CareerWise Colorado in 2018:  240 enrolled apprentices  7 school districts, 9 higher education institutions  Partnering with businesses to provide business-led, student centered apprenticeships beginning junior year of high school.

Source: Colorado Department of Education - April 2018 59 60 State Leadership State Leadership State Leadership State Leadership

Policymakers are critical to keeping Colorado on track. Every student deserves an equal opportunity to a high- quality education and to be equipped for a career path of their choice. Colorado Succeeds works closely with legislators to support student-centered policies that improve student outcomes statewide.

61 Leadership in Education for Colorado State Board of Education Office Party

Valentina “Val” Flores 1st Congressional District D

Angelika Shroeder 2nd Congressional District D

Joyce Rankin 3rd Congressional District R

Debora Scheffel 4th Congressional District R

Steve Durham 5th Congressional District R

Rebecca McClellan 6th Congressional District D

Jane Goff 7th Congressional District D

Katy Anthes, Ph.D. Commissioner of Education

Elizabeth (Bizy) Cordial Director of State Board Relations

Source: Colorado Department of Education (2015-2016) 62 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | STATE LEADERSHIP Elected State Senators n Education Committee Member (updated: 12/11/2018)

Office Legislator Party SD 1 Senator R

SD 2 Senator R

SD 3 Senate President D

SD 4 Senator R

SD 5 Senate Democrat Whip D

SD 6 Senator R

SD 7 Senate Republican Whip Ray Scott R

SD 8 Senator R

SD 9 Senator R

SD 10 Senator R

SD 11 Senator D

SD 12 Senator R

SD 13 Senate Assistant Minority Leader John Cooke R

SD 14 Senator John Kefalas D

SD 15 Senator Rob Woodward R

SD 16 Senator D

SD 17 Senator Matt Jones D

63 Elected State Senators (continued) n Education Committee Member (updated: 12/11/2018)

Office Legislator Party SD 18 Senate Majority Leader D

SD 19 Senator D

SD 20 Senator D

SD 21 Senator D

SD 22 Senator D

SD 23 Senate Republican Caucus Chair Vicki Marble R

SD 24 Senator Democrat Caucus Chair D

SD 25 Senator R

SD 26 Senator Daniel Kagan D

SD 27 Senator Jack Tate R

SD 28 Senator D

SD 29 Assistant Majority Leader D

SD 30 Senate Minority Leader R

SD 31 Senate President Pro Tempore Lois Court D

SD 32 Senator Robert Rodriguez D

SD 33 Senator Angela Williams D

SD 34 Senator D

SD 35 Senator Larry Crowder R

64 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | STATE LEADERSHIP Elected State Representatives n Education Committee Member (updated: 12/11/2018) Office Legislator/Legislator Party

HD 1 Representative D

HD 2 Majority Leader D

HD 3 Majority Co-Whip Jeff Bridges D

HD 4 Representative Serena Gonzales Gutierrez D

HD 5 Representative D

HD 6 Representative Chris Hansen D

HD 7 Majority Co-Whip James Coleman D

HD 8 Representative D

HD 9 Representative D

HD 10 House Majority Caucus Chair D

HD 11 Representative Jonathan Singer D

HD 12 Representative D

HD 13 Speaker of the House KC Becker D

HD 14 Representative R

HD 15 Representative Dave Williams R

HD 16 Representative R

HD 17 Representative D

65 Elected State Representatives (continued) n Education Committee Member (updated: 12/11/2018) Office Legislator/Legislator Party

HD 18 Representative D

HD 19 Representative Tim Geitner R

HD 20 Representative R

HD 21 Representative Lois Landgraf R

HD 22 Representative R

HD 23 Assistant Majority Leader Chris Kennedy D

HD 24 Representative D

HD 25 Representative D

HD 26 Representative D

HD 27 Representative D

HD 28 Representative D

HD 29 Representative Tracy Kraft-Tharp D

House Deputy Majority Caucus Chair HD 30 D

HD 31 Representative D

HD 32 Representative D

HD 33 Representative D

HD 34 Representative D

66 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | STATE LEADERSHIP Elected State Representatives n Education Committee Member (updated: 12/11/2018) Office Legislator/Legislator Party HD 35 Representative D

HD 36 Representative D

HD 37 Representative Tom Sullivan D

HD 38 Representative R

HD 39 Representative R

HD 40 Representative D

HD 41 Representative Jovan Melton D

HD 42 Representative Dominique Jackson D

HD 43 Assistant Minority Leader R

HD 44 Representative R

HD 45 Minority Leader R

HD 46 Representative D

HD 47 Representative Bri Buentello D

HD 48 Representative Stephen Humphrey R

HD 49 House Republican Whip Perry Buck R

HD 50 Representative Rochelle Galindo D

HD 51 Representative Hugh McKean R

67 Elected State Representatives (continued) n Education Committee Member (updated: 12/11/2018) Office Legislator/Legislator Party HD 52 Representative D

HD 53 Representative Jeni Arndt D

HD 54 Representative R

HD 55 Representative R

HD 56 Represnetative R

HD 57 Representative R

HD 58 Representative R

HD 59 Representative Barbara McLachlan D

HD 60 Representative Jim Wilson R

HD 61 Representative Julie McCluskie D

HD 62 Representative D

HD 63 House Republican Caucus Chair Lori Saine R

HD 64 Representative Kimmi Lewis R

HD 65 Representative Rodney Pelton R

68 Our Coalition Our Coalition Our Coalition Our Coalition

Since 2006, we’ve connected the skills and expertise of business leaders to the education system and the legislative process. We’re the only organization in Colorado to bring these three critical players together. And through these efforts, schools improve, government streamlines, and business strengthens. Our statewide network of BizCARES partners includes chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, business roundtables, and industry associations. This network represents over 500,000 employees in all 64 counties of Colorado, focused on moving our state’s education system forward.

69 Members (as of 10/11/18)

70 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | OUR COALITION

71 Statewide BizCARES Network Partners

Action 22 Colorado Business Roundtable Adams County Education Consortium Colorado Concern Alliance for Choice Colorado Forum in Education Colorado’s Future Arvada Chamber Colorado Hospital Associated Governments Association of Northwest Colorado Colorado Technology Aurora Chamber Association of Commerce Colorado Women’s Chamber Boulder Chamber of Commerce of Commerce Colorado Springs Regional Club 20 Business Alliance Colorado Advanced Hispanic Chamber Manufacturing Alliance of Commerce Colorado Association Denver Metro Chamber of Black Professional of Commerce Engineers and Scientists Denver Metro Colorado Association Leadership Foundation of Career and Technical Education Denver Public Schools Foundation Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry Downtown Denver Business Partnership Colorado Association of Mechanical and Durango Chamber Plumbing Contractors of Commerce Colorado BioScience Economic Development Association Council of Colorado Colorado Black Chamber Ft. Collins Chamber of Commerce of Commerce

72 FIELD GUIDE TO EDUCATION IN COLORADO | OUR COALITION

Golden Chamber Pueblo Latino Chamber of Commerce of Commerce Grand Junction Chamber Small Business Majority of Commerce South Central Council Grand Junction of Governments Economic Partnership South Metro Chamber Greeley Chamber of Commerce of Commerce Southern Colorado Loveland Chamber Business Partnership of Commerce The Urban League Metro Denver Economic of Metro Denver Development Corporation Vail Chamber Metro North Chamber of Commerce of Commerce Visit Denver Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance West Chamber Serving Jefferson County Progressive 15 The Youth Pueblo Chamber Foundation of Commerce

73

GET INVOLVED. JOIN US. LEARN MORE. WWW.COLORADOSUCCEEDS.ORG