Colorado Legacy Foundation Hosts State Education Leaders at Inaugural Integration Grant Conference

(Denver, CO) Today the Colorado Legacy Foundation convened more than 180 educators representing 40 school districts to learn about innovative instructional literacy, math, data and evaluation tools. Attendees also learned about how to apply to become one of four school districts to serve as demonstration sites, or “living laboratories,” for the purpose of helping the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) build capacity to share the tools and resources statewide.  The event was sponsored by the Rose Community Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  Representatives from higher education, early childhood, the Governor’s office, and the State Board of Education were also in attendance.

“This great engagement from our education community shows why Colorado has been selected by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to do this important work,” said Dr. Helayne Jones, President and CEO of the Colorado Legacy Foundation.  “This is not a new initiative, but an investment in CDE’s current plan to improve instruction and student outcomes and build local and state capacity. Most of all, this is about supporting teachers.”

The grant will support the CDE’s work by investing in instructional tools aligned to the Colorado Academic Standards. Tools include evaluations for individual teachers to produce real time feedback, allowing teachers to identify and address student needs. This feedback on teacher performance and student mastery will support teachers in delivering their best work as professionals.

“Hammers do not build, needles do not sew, and resources do not generate richer levels of student learning on their own. In the hands of skilled practitioners, though, good tools can speed the work, whether the craft in question is building, quilting, or equipping the next generation with the literacy skills they need for adult success,” said Susan Weston, a Kentucky education consultant.

Colorado was awarded a $9.7 million investment by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in large part because current state education reform efforts provide a strong framework for the proposed work. The new Colorado Academic Standards are being integrated with aligned instructional supports and last year’s Senate Bill 10-191, Colorado’s groundbreaking legislation, which statutorily establishes a performance-based educator evaluation system statewide.

School districts interested in the work, or in becoming a Partner District, can get more information by contacting Nina Lopez at nlopez@colegacy.org .  Video of the conference will be available at www.colegacy.org early next week.