Resources for Institutions of Higher Education

Standards and Instructional Support Resources for Institute of Higher Education Partners 

Information on this page can be used to assist pre-service teachers and teacher educators in navigating the Colorado Department of Education web pages, understanding the Colorado Academic Standards, and crosswalks between the subject area national standards and the Colorado Academic Standards. We have also included useful links that direct you to Educator Effectiveness, ESSA and Colorado, and to the legislation that is relevant to the standards. 

Office of Standards and Instructional Support

• The Office of Standards and Instructional Support consists of content specialists with expertise in all content areas within the Colorado Academic Standards. This team is committed to supporting education professionals across the state in implementing the Colorado Academic Standards for student success. The team provides guidance and expertise through technical assistance, both internally and externally, related to standards implementation and instructional suppor

  • This video will walk you through the Colorado Department of Education web pages. 

Colorado Academic Standards 

This Power Point will explain the overarching ideas around the Colorado Academic Standards.

Crosswalks between National Standards and the Colorado Academic Standards 

Some content areas have also have national standards. Below are links to documents that show similarities and differences between the national standards and the Colorado Academic Standards.

Health and Physical Education 

Music 

Visual Arts 

Useful Links to other Colorado Department of Education Pages 

Unit of Student Assessment

You will find information about the Colorado Measures of Academic Standards, the state-level summative assessment, interpretation guides, data, and so much more.

Educator Talent Division

You will find information about educator licensing, educator effectiveness, and preparation.
 

Relevant Legislation

• Senate Bill 08-212 Colorado’s Achievement Plan for Kids (CAP4K), has a provision that requires the regular review and revision of the Colorado Academic Standards. The first review and revision cycle was set to conclude on or before July 1, 2018 and every six years thereafter.

  • Colorado Essential Skills The standards review and revision process created an opportunity for these skills to be revisited and clarified. In an effort to update Colorado’s 21st Century Skills and better align these skills from preschool through post-secondary, the Colorado Department of Education brought together a cross-unit team of specialists to create this Essential Skills Resource document. The intention of this guiding document is to clearly identify how these statutorily identified skills manifest in early childhood and continue through their post-secondary pursuits leading to in-demand employment skills. Developmentally appropriate support for these skills should occur in all subject areas throughout students’ academic careers. Understanding the importance of these skills is the first step in achieving life-long success for all students.

• Title IV Funds Title IV, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 is intended to improve students’ academic achievement by increasing the capacity of States, local educational agencies (LEAs), schools, and local communities to provide all students with access to a well-rounded education, improve school conditions for student learning, and improve the use of technology in order to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students.