How does a Colorado high school where almost every student comes from a low-income family get 75 percent of seniors to graduate with college credits?
Ask Center High School in the San Luis Valley.
Or how does one particular Colorado community have more schools than anywhere else with the greatest success in improving achievement among low performing students?
Ask Delta County School District on the Western Slope.
And who’s doing an exceptional job of mentoring new teachers during their first year on the job?
Ask Cherry Creek Schools just outside of Denver.
These are three of 14 Commissioner’s Choice Award recipients recognized this week for their demonstrated effectiveness as educators.
They’re honing their craft – and getting results.
Research proves that effective classroom teaching and principal leadership are the strongest predictors of student achievement.
But what makes educators effective?
For the first time, a new state law requires Colorado to identify just that.
It also requires that at least half of every public school teacher’s and principal’s evaluation be based on how much students learn from year to year – starting in the 2013-2014 school year.
Why now? More than ever before, educators must meet the demands of today’s rapidly shifting society.
They deserve ongoing training and support to address new challenges and meet students’ needs. And they deserve clear, frequent feedback on what’s working and what’s not to ensure every student is successful.
The teams of educators recognized this week already know what makes them effective, and what to do to make a difference for students.
They’re already showing results, and they didn’t need legislation to do it – but they did need each other.
The common thread? Collaboration. Effective educators work together to pinpoint students’ needs and adjust classroom instruction.
The work ahead to implement the landmark educator evaluation law requires Colorado to capture and share best practices to prepare students for success in college or the workforce – and to support educators throughout their careers.
The issue is so critical that the Colorado Department of Education is shifting the focus of everything it does to help school districts attract, prepare and support effective educators.
CDE also is partnering with the Colorado Department of Higher Education to improve how we prepare educators to meet students’ needs.
For example, Douglas County Schools’ alternative teacher certification program effectively launches aspiring teachers with bachelor’s degrees but no formal education training into on-the-job training where they’re mentored by a professional support team while they earn their educational coursework.
And Mesa State College’s educator preparation program effectively trains educators to work in high-need areas, and to use technology and distance learning – critical to many Colorado school districts that are small and rural.
Later this year, the Colorado Legacy Foundation will share the resources and best practices effective educators are using to get results for students.
Nearly $2 million in grant funding secured by the foundation will help support CDE and school districts as they implement the new educator evaluation law – or senate bill 191.
If Colorado is to reach its goal that all public school students graduate from high school ready for success in college or the workforce, we must provide an effective teacher in every classroom and an effective principal in every school.
Hats off to educators throughout our state who are helping us achieve this vision. And here’s to more to come.
Robert Hammond is the commissioner of education. Helayne Jones is the chief executive officer and president of the Colorado Legacy Foundation, which sponsors the annual Legacy Luncheon and Commissioner’s Choice Awards to recognize Colorado schools and leaders that apply best practices and get results. EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an online-only column and has not been edited.
