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State Policy Update – Standards: Colorado

Teaching Standards

1. Status: Has the state adopted Standards for Teaching?
Yes

2. Name: What is the document called?
Performance-Based Standards for Colorado Teachers

3. The Standards: What are the Standards?
Colorado Performance Based Standards
The following shall serve as standards for the licensing of all teacher education candidates in Colorado and reflect the knowledge and skills required of beginning teachers.

Standard One: Knowledge of Literacy: The teacher shall be knowledgeable about student literacy development in reading, writing, speaking, viewing, and listening.
The teacher has demonstrated the ability to:

1.1 Plan and organize reading instruction based on ongoing assessment.

1.2 Develop phonological and linguistic skills related to reading including:

Phonemic awareness.
Concepts about print.
Systematic, explicit phonics.
Other word identification strategies.
Spelling instruction.

1.3 Develop reading comprehension and promotion of independent reading including:

Comprehension strategies for a variety of genre.
Literary response and analysis.
Content area literacy.
Student independent reading.

1.4 Support reading through oral and written language development including:

Development of oral English proficiency in students.
Development of sound writing practices in students including language usage, punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure, and spelling.
The relationships among reading, writing, and oral language.
Vocabulary development.
The structure of standard English.

1.5 Utilize Colorado Model Content Standards in Reading and Writing for the improvement of instruction.

Standard Two: Knowledge of Mathematics: The teacher shall be knowledgeable about mathematics and mathematics instruction.
The teacher has demonstrated the ability to:

2.1 Develop in students an understanding and use of:

Number systems and number sense
Geometry
Measurement
Statistics and probability
Functions and use of variables

2.2 Utilize Colorado Model Content Standards in Mathematics for the improvement of instruction.

Standard Three: Knowledge of Standards and Assessment: The teacher shall be knowledgeable about strategies, planning practices, assessment techniques, and appropriate accommodations to ensure student learning in a standards-based curriculum.
The teacher has demonstrated the ability to:

3.1 Design short and long range standards-based instructional plans.

3.2 Develop valid and reliable assessment tools for the classroom.

3.3 Develop and utilize a variety of informal and formal assessments, including rubrics.

3.4 Assess, compare and contrast the effects of various teaching strategies on individual student performance relative to content standards.

3.5 Use assessment data as a basis for standards-based instruction.

3.6 Provide effective verbal and written feedback that shape improvement in student performance on content standards.

3.7 Prepare students for the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP), Third Grade Literacy Assessment, and other assessments of educational achievement.

3.8 Ensure that instruction is consistent with school district priorities and goals, the Colorado Model Content Standards, and the 1999 Colorado Accreditation Program.

Standard Four: Knowledge of Content: The elementary teacher is knowledgeable, in addition to literacy and mathematics in the following content areas: civics, economics, foreign language, geography, history, science, music, visual arts, and physical education. Middle school and secondary content teachers shall be knowledgeable in literacy and mathematics and expert in their content endorsement area(s). The teacher has demonstrated the ability to:

4.1 Utilize content knowledge to ensure student learning.

4.2 Enhance content instruction through a thorough understanding of all Colorado model content standards.

4.3 Apply expert content knowledge to enrich and extend student learning.

4.4 Integrate literacy and mathematics into content area instruction.

Standard Five: Knowledge of Classroom and Instructional Management: The teacher is knowledgeable about classroom practice in order to successfully manage time, communications, and record keeping procedures that will support and enhance student learning.
The teacher has demonstrated the ability to:

5.1 Create a learning environment characterized by acceptable student behavior, efficient use of time, and disciplined acquisition of knowledge, skills, and understanding.

5.2 Apply sound disciplinary practices in the classroom.

5.3 Apply appropriate intervention strategies and practices to ensure a successful learning environment.

5.4 Raise the academic performance level of a group of students, over time, to a higher level.

5.5 Understand the cognitive processes associated with various kinds of learning (e.g.critical and creative thinking, problem structuring and problem solving, invention, memorization and recall) and ensure attention to these learning processes so that students can master content standards.

5.6 Work in cooperation with library media and other resource specialists in providing student instruction on how to access, retrieve, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information, and integrate these information literacy skills into the curriculum to accomplish standards-based learning activities.

5.7 Accurately document and report ongoing student achievement.

5.8 Communicate with parents and guardians effectively in order to involve them as participants and partners in student learning.

5.9 Communicate a variety of assessment results, and their implications to students, parents, guardians, professionals, administrators, and the community.

Standard Six: Knowledge of Individualization of Instruction: The teacher is responsive to the needs and experiences children bring to the classroom, including those based on culture, community, ethnicity, economics, linguistics, and innate learning abilities. The teacher is knowledgeable about learning exceptionalities and conditions that affect the rate and extent of student learning, and is able to adapt instruction for all learners.
The teacher has demonstrated the ability to:

6.1 Employ a wide range of teaching techniques to match the intellectual, emotional, and social level of each student, and choose alternative teaching strategies and materials to achieve different curricular purposes.

6.2 Design and/or modify standards-based instruction in response to diagnosed student needs, including the needs of exceptional learners and English language learners.

6.3 Utilize his/her understanding of educational disabilities and giftedness and their effects on student learning in order to individualize instruction for these students.

6.4 Teach students within the scope of a teacher's legal responsibilities and students' educational rights, and follow procedures as specified in state, federal and local statutes.

6.5 Develop and apply individualized education plans.

6.6 Collect data on individual student achievement and be accountable for each child's learning.

6.7 Use specific knowledge of student medical conditions and medications and their possible effects on student learning and behavior.

Standard Seven: Knowledge of Technology: The teacher is skilled in technology and is knowledgeable about using technology to support instruction and enhance student learning.
The teacher has demonstrated the ability to:

7.1 Apply technology to the delivery of standards-based instruction.

7.2 Use technology to increase student achievement.

7.3 Utilize technology to manage and communicate information.

7.4 Apply technology to data-driven assessments of learning.

7.5 Instruct students in basic technology skills.

Standard Eight: Democracy, Educational Governance and Careers in Teaching: The teacher recognizes the school's role in teaching and perpetuating our democratic system. The teacher knows the relationships among the various governmental entities that create laws, rules, regulations, and policies that determine educational practices.
The teacher has demonstrated the ability to:

8.1 Model and articulate the democratic ideal to students, including:

The school's role in developing productive citizens.
The school's role in teaching and perpetuating the principles of a democratic republic.

8.2 Model, and develop on the part of the students, positive behavior and respect for the rights of others, and those moral standards necessary for personal, family and community well-being.

8.3 Understand and respond to influences on educational practice including:

Federal and state constitutional provisions.
Federal executive, legislative and legal influences.
State roles of the governor, legislature and State Board of Education.
Local school districts, boards of education and boards of cooperative educational services.
Non-traditional and non-public schools, including: charter schools, religious schools and home schooling.
Public sector input from business, advocacy groups, and the public.

8.4 Promote teaching as a worthy career and describe various career paths in education, including local, state, national, and international options, higher education, public and private education.

8.5 Evaluate his/her own performance and access the professional development options necessary to improve that performance.

4. Levels: Are the standards used to distinguish various degrees of certification/licensure?
They are for licensure. (We do have authorizations and endorsement areas as well.)

5. Source: What resources were used to prepare the standards?
They were developed by Colorado Department of Education staff, Colorado education practitioners, higher education, using resources from the Department and others. They were then adopted as teacher preparation program rules.

6. Responsibility: Under whose authority were the standards developed/adopted?
The Colorado State Board of Education

7. Process: What processes were used?
The Standards were based on SB 99-154. Professional standards boards were convened, after which recommendations were made to, and subsequently adopted by, the Colorado State Board of Education.

8. Uses? What are the various ways the state uses the standards?
The standards were developed to meet the requirements of Senate Bill 99-154, mandating that all teacher preparation programs be performance-based. The Colorado State Board of Education adopted the standards in 1999, and has developed and implemented an assessment system to determine if teacher candidates can demonstrate proficiency, based on the standards. These standards are used to gain a provisional license (higher education must sign off that you are proficient on all 8 standards and 45 subcomponents to attain a license all of our programs keep electronic portfolios--they must show where in the curriculum each subcomponent is covered to be approved as a prep program in the state). The standards are also used for relicensure in that the 90 clock hours of professional development required to relicense must meet these standards.

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

9. Status: Does the state recognize National Certification awarded by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards?
Yes.

10. Purpose: For what purposes is National Certification recognized?
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) will issue a Professional Teacher License to any applicant who is certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The State Board of Education has determined that professionally licensed teachers who achieve National Board Certification (NBC) are eligible for Colorado "master teacher" certification. The "master certificate" is held in conjunction with a Colorado Professional Teacher License, it is not a stand-alone certificate. Professional development activities associated with NBC may be submitted for license renewal.

11. Number: How many teachers have received National Certification?
122 as of Oct., 2002. New NBCTS will be named in November, 2002.

12. Support: What support does the state and/or other organizations offer to National Board candidates?
Candidate Subsidy Funds: The Colorado Legislature allocated $60,000 in state funds to match candidate subsidy funds to the state for the 2002-2003 year only.

The University of Colorado at Denver is offering pre-candidate, candidate, and advanced candidate (for re-take candidates) courses for National Board Candidates taught by National Board Certified Teachers.

13. Recognition: What recognition does the state offer National Board recipients?
None.

13A. Other news:
The Colorado Education Association has used a grant from NEA to mobilize Colorado for National Board Certification. CEA has developed eight resource centers for NBC across the state. A CEA grant through State Farm will fund dollars to advocates who mentor National Board candidates and will also support recognition for Colorado National Board Certified Teachers at the state level.

The Colorado Network for National Board Certification, a network composed of National Board Certified Teachers, was organized in December of 1995.

Standards for Staff Development

14. Status: Does the state have standards for staff development?
Yes.

15. NSDC Standards: Has the state adopted the NSDC Standards for Staff Development?
The state adopted the NSDC Standards.

16. Title: What is the name of the state-adopted standards document? Guidelines for the Professional Development of Educators in Colorado

17. Content: What are the "standards"?
NOTE: THESE ARE CURRENT STANDARDS. THEY WILL CHANGE:

  • Is rigorous, results-based, data-driven, and tied to student achievement.
  • Is ongoing and an integral part of an educator's workday.
  • Uses a variety of approaches and professional development models (individually guided, observation/assessment, involvement in development/improvement process, training, action research/inquiry, reflective practice).
  • Is teacher-designed, collaborative, and school-centered.
  • Focuses on teachers as central to student learning, yet includes all other members of the school community.

17A. Source: What resources were used by the state to develop the standards?
CDE resources and NSDC Standards.

18. Responsibility: Under whose authority were the standards developed/adopted?
Colorado Education Goals Panel, Colorado Staff Development Council, CONNECT, and Professional Development Stakeholders in Colorado (3/30/98).

19. Process: What process was used to guide development?
Adapted from Colorado Department of Education's Professional Development in Colorado Schools and National Staff Development Council's Standards for Staff Development. Adopted by Colorado Education Goals Panel, Colorado Staff Development Council, CONNECT, and Professional Development Stakeholders in Colorado (3/30/98).

20. Uses: How are the standards used in the state?
They are used by school districts, sometimes in conjunction with higher education.

21. Notes: Is there other applicable information to note on this subject?<

22. Contacts: Who can one contact for further information regarding the status of Teaching Quality in the state?
Dorothy Gotlieb
Director, Office of Professional Services
Colorado Department of Education
201 East Colfax
Denver, CO 80203
gotlieb_d@cde.state.co.us

23. Resources Used in Preparing this Report:
Website of the Colorado Department of Education (http://www.cde.state.co.us)
Website of the Metropolitan State College of Denver (Teacher Education Accreditation) (http://clem.mscd.edu/~ncate/)
Website of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (http://www.nbpts.org/)

24. Date: On what date was this report completed by NSDC?
March 3, 2003

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
 
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