Vision

The Colorado Legacy Foundation believes that increased student achievement for all Colorado students requires effective leaders in every school, effective educators in every classroom, and healthy and engaging environments that ignite a passion for learning in every student.

Who We Are

—The Colorado Legacy Foundation (CLF) is an independent nonprofit working in partnership with the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and public education stakeholders to accelerate bold improvements in student achievement through innovation, collaboration, and capacity building.

CLF equips teachers, leaders, and organizations with the knowledge, tools, guidance, and resources to drive improvement outcomes while creating the conditions to innovate together, share knowledge, and explore new possibilities.  CLF works to accelerate the achievement of a high-quality K-12 educational system that ensures the success of every educator, leader and student.

History

CLF was established in 2007 as part of the Commissioner of Education’s “Forward Thinking Education Plan” to increase the graduation rate and close the achievement gap in all Colorado schools.  In 2009, Dr. Helayne Jones assumed the role of President and CEO and clearly defined the focus and mission of the organization to align with and support CDE’s work in specific initiatives designed to improve student outcomes.

CLF pursues increased student outcomes by identifying levers for driving student achievement, supporting improved policy and its conversion into effective and sustainable practices, and helping to build implementation capacity at CDE and in school districts and schools statewide.  CLF promotes creative and collaborative solutions by conducting research, spurring dialogue, incubating innovative ideas, brokering partnerships, identifying proof points, and scaling adoption of promising practices.

CLF’s role as a critical friend and partner to CDE and an accelerator of innovation within local schools and districts has garnered national attention from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and several states considering the creation of similar entities in their states.