Resources and Training

Visit the State Accountability Webpage

Summary Accountability and Improvement Planning Changes for 2026 (PDF) - May 2026

• This document describes the changes related to accountability and improvement planning for 2026.

District Accountability Handbook (PDF) - July 2026

• This handbook outlines the requirements and responsibilities for the state, district, and school stakeholders in the state's accountability process.
• Primary audience: District and school administrators

District Accountability Handbook: Identification Supplement (PDF) - July 2026

• This supplement provides further details on the requirements and responsibilities for the state, district, and school stakeholders for those identified as Priority Improvement and Turnaround.
• Primary audience: District and school administrators

Final Scoring Guide for 2026 District/School Performance Frameworks (PDF) - August 2026

• This final scoring guide provides the cut-scores and associated point values for school and district performance on each of the sub-indicator metrics included on the frameworks (e.g., exceeds expectations, meets expectations, approaching expectations, does not meet expectations), as well as the cut-points for assigning performance indicator ratings and overall ratings based on the total percentage of points earned.
• Primary audience: General

Participation and Accountability Guide (PDF) - August 2026

• This resource describes assessment participation requirements and the role of participation in both state and federal accountability
• Primary audience: District and school administrators

2026 WIDA ACCESS Score Change Analysis and Impact of 2026 Performance Frameworks (PDF) - June 2026

• May 2026 WIDA ACCESS Results Update Webinar PPT
• May 2026 WIDA Access Results Update Webinar Recording

Primary audience: District and school administrators

SBD and Accountability Fact Sheet (PDF) - January 2026

• This resource describes the Student Biographical Data (SBD) review process and its impact on accountability calculations and reporting.
• Primary audience: District and school administrators

Implementation Update of H.B. 25-1278: Education Accountability System (PDF) - June 2026

• This resources provides an overview of implementation of the various components of the Education Accountability System bill (H.B. 25-1278). This builds on the Summary of H.B. 25-1278: Education Accountability System (PDF) resource posted in May 2025.
• Primary audience: District and school administrators

Statewide Student Information Solution Study & Accountability Dashboard Reporting Study Fact Sheet (PDF) - March 2026

• This fact sheet provides further details on the relationship between two complementary studies (SSIS study; Accountability Dashboard Study) that strengthen how education data is collected, understood, and used across Colorado.
• Primary audience: District and school administrators

Colorado State Accountability System Video / Webinar Resources:

• HB 25-1278 Informational Webinar
  • HB 25-1278 Recording - June 2025
  • HB 25-1278 PowerPoint - June 2025 - Overview of HB 25-1278: Education Accountability System and updates for 2025-26.
• Accountability Webinar
  • Accountability Recording - July 2024
  • Accountability PowerPoint - July 2025 - Overview and updates on accountability for 2024-25.
• Educational Accountability 101 
  • Educational Accountability Recording - August 2023
    Overview of Educational Accountability including the district/school performance frameworks for 2023-24.
• Data Dashboards for Improvement Planning
  • Data Dashborad Webinar Recording - August 2023
    Overview of CDE data visualization tools and resources to support planning work for 2023-24.

Other Colorado State Accountability System Resources

• District Accountability Handbook (PDF) - July 2026
  • This handbook outlines the requirements and responsibilities for the state, district, and school stakeholders in the state's accountability process.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• District Accountability Handbook: Identification Supplement (PDF) - July 2026
  • This supplement provides further details on the requirements and responsibilities for the state, district, and school stakeholders for those identified as Priority Improvement and Turnaround.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• Parent Notification and Public Hearing Requirements Fact Sheet (PDF) - July 2026
  • This document walks through the requirements for notifying and engaging stakeholders.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• Performance Watch Labels and Progression (PDF) - July 2023
  • This resource describes the performance watch process for the 2023-24 school year and the associated requirements for each plan type, clock year, and performance watch status.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

Communication to District Accountability Contacts

• Accountability Communications
  • Announcements regarding school and district accountability provided to district accountability contacts.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

Visit the Performance Frameworks Webpage

Understanding School and District Performance Frameworks Video/Webinar Resources:

• Accountability 101 Information Webinar - August 2026
  • Accountability 101 Information Webinar Recording - A conceptual overview of the state accountability system with a focus on the performance framework reports. 
• Accountability Use of Data from the Data Pipeline & Assessment Collections Webinar - May 2024
  • Data Pipeline & Assessment Collections Webinar Recording,
  • Data Pipeline Assessment Collections Webinar PowerPoint, and
  • Data Pipeline Assessment Collections Webinar Resource (PDF)
  • Information on how data from the Data Pipeline collections and State Assessment Systems apply to Accountability

Other School and District Performance Frameworks Resources

• Final Scoring Guide for 2026 District/School Performance Frameworks (PDF) - August 2026
  • This guide provides the cut-scores and associated point values for school and district performance on each of the sub-indicator metrics included on the frameworks (e.g., exceeds expectations, meets expectations, approaching expectations, does not meet expectations), as well as the cut-points for assigning performance indicator ratings and overall ratings based on the total percentage of points earned.
  • Primary audience: General
• District and School Performance Framework: Calculation Guidebook (PDF) - August 2026
  • The purpose of this document is to provide clarity and transparency in all calculation steps required for determining both District Performance Framework (DPF) and School Performance Framework (SPF) results.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• 2024 Improvement Planning Data Analysis Considerations (PDF) - August 2024
  • This document coordinates content across the Department that connects data analysis and planning to the new streamlined Unified Improvement Plan (UIP), new accountability data, and a new TLCC resource  as well as PSAT/SAT test format changes and the new Learning Environment District Profile Reports (coming September 2024).
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• Annotated District and School Dashboard (PDF) - July 2024, reposted September 2025 for accessibility purposes only
  • This resource is an annotated report with call out boxes that identify key information and changes to the District and School Dashboard.
  • Primary audience: General
• 2026 Annotated Framework Report (PDF) and 2025 AEC Annotated Framework Report (PDF) - August 2026
  • This resource is an annotated report with call out boxes that identify key information and changes to the performance framework report since the prior release.
  • Primary audience: General
• Accountability Use of Data from the Data Pipeline & Assessment Collections Webinar - may 2024
  • Accountability Use of Data from the Data Pipeline Assessment Collections Webinar Recording
  • Accountability Use of Data from the Data Pipeline Assessment Collections Webinar PowerPoint, and 
  • Accountability Use of Data from the Data Pipeline & Assessment Collections Webinar Resource (PDF) - May 2024
    • Information on how data from the Data Pipeline collections and State Assessment Systems apply to Accountability.
    • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• 2023 Informational Results for Performance Frameworks (DOC) - January 2024
  • The state is re-introducing two measures on the performance frameworks to align with state statute. These measures include: CMAS Science for all schools and Attendance and Truancy for Alternative Education Campuses (AECs). Informational performance framework reports were released to districts in January. This fact sheet includes more information about these reports.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• Accountability Data Tools & Reports (PDF) - July 2025
  • The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide a brief overview of the data visualization tools and resources that are available to support the work of education stakeholders.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

Upcoming and Recent Changes to Performance Frameworks

• Summary Accountability and Improvement Planning Changes for 2026 (PDF) - April 2026
  • This document describes the changes related to accountability and improvement planning for 2026.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• On Track Growth Fact Sheet (PDF) - March 2024
  • This document summarizes the on track growth measure and timeline for implementation.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• 2023 Informational Results for Performance Frameworks (DOC) - January 2024
  • The state is re-introducing two measures on the performance frameworks to align with state statute. These measures include: CMAS Science for all schools and Attendance and Truancy for Alternative Education Campuses (AECs). Informational performance framework reports were released to districts in January. This fact sheet includes more information about these reports.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• 2024 PSAT SAT Growth and Cut Score Methodology (PDF) - October 2024
  • This resource provides an overview of the implications and response to the 2024 transition to the digital PSAT/SAT for Growth calculations.
  • For additional detail, review the following:
    • State Board of Education Memo on PSAT/SAT use in the Performance Frameworks and
    • Technical Advisory Panel meeting recording on September 26, 2024. 

Visit the Growth in Colorado Webpage

Colorado Growth Model Video/Webinar Resources:

• Growth 101 Webinar Recording - August 2026- Conceptual overview of the Colorado Growth Model and changes in reports and measures associated with the 2024 release.
• On Track Growth Webinar Series - July 2024 - The On Track Growth (OTG) webinar series, provides stakeholders with the tools to use and understand the OTG measure to support improved student academic outcomes. 

Other Colorado Growth Model Resources:

• Growth Fact Sheet - June 2024
  • This resource includes a high level overview of the growth indicator within performance frameworks, including what it is, how it is calculated, how it is used, and why it matters. This resource also includes a reintroduction to the On Track Growth indicator, which will be included for informational purposes for elementary and middle schools in student-level data files and public state accountability tools and reports next school year.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• Colorado Growth Model - Technical Orientation (PDF) - January 2019 (coming soon!)
  • This fact sheet provides a technical orientation to the Colorado Growth Model. This includes background information related to model development, an overview of its analytic methodology, and the current CDE applications of the model.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

Baseline Referenced Growth

• Baseline Growth Overview Resource (PDF) - September 2021
  • The purpose of this resource is to provide an overview of new baseline-referenced growth compared to traditional cohort-referenced growth. Also, statewide participation rates and results are shared.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• Baseline Growth Applications (PDF) - September 2021
  • This brief resource explains student growth, how it is reported, and focuses on the interpretation of baseline growth results.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

Individual Student Growth Reports

• Individual Student Growth Report Cover Page - English and Spanish (PDF) - August 2026
  • These resources serve as a cover page to the CMAS individual student growth report.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• How to Understand Individual Student Growth & Achievement Reports (PDF) - August 2025
  • The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide an annotated version of the annually produced individual student growth reports to improve use and understanding by stakeholders.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• Individual Student Growth Report - ACCESS (PDF) - June 2025
  • This is a sample of the English Language Proficiency and Student Growth Report in both English and Spanish.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

On Track Growth

• On Track Growth Fact Sheet (PDF) - March 2025
  • This document summarizes the on track growth measure and timeline for implementation.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

ACCESS Growth

• ACCESS On Track Growth Fact Sheet (PDF) - May 2024
  • This document summarizes the ACCESS on track growth measure and adopted growth-to-standard timelines.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

Insufficient State Data Rating Informational Webinars:

• Insufficient State Data Rating Webinar
  • This webinar will provide an overview of the Insufficient State Data rating. Topics will include how the rating was determined, implications and options for accreditation processes, and data considerations.  This session will be recorded and materials posted.
  • Date/Time: Wednesday, September 9, 2026; 10-11am
  • Registration: Insufficient State Data Rating Webinar Registration Link

• Insufficient State Data: Low Participation Webinar
  • This session will specifically address the new Insufficient State Data: Low Participation called for in S.B. 25-1278.  Details of this new identification will be provided, including the timeline, expectations, and support available. This session will be recorded and materials posted.
  • Date/Time: Thursday, September 10, 2026; 9:30-10:30a 
  • Registration: Insufficient State Data: Low Participation Webinar Registration Link
     
• Insufficient State Data Ratings Fact Sheet (PDF) - June 2026
  • This resource outlines the assignment and implications of receiving an Insufficient State Data rating on the performance frameworks.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

• Participation and Accountability Guide (PDF) - August 2026
  • This resource describes assessment participation requirements and the role of participation in both state and federal accountability
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• Unified Improvement Plan (UIP) Guidance for Insufficient State Data: Low Participation Rating (PDF) - September 2026
  • This document provides detailed guidance to support schools and districts in meeting the Unified 
    Improvement Planning (UIP) requirements associated with the rating of Insufficient State Data (ISD): Low 
    Participation.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

Visit the PWR Webpage

• Postsecondary Workforce Readiness Fact Sheet (PDF) - June 2024
  • This resource describes the current postsecondary and workforce readiness indicator, including descriptions of sub-indicators (e.g., dropout, graduation, matriculation, SAT) and delayed sub-indicators (e.g., higher bar). 
  • Primary audience: General

• Postsecondary Workforce Readiness and School District Accountability FAQs (PDF) - July 2026
  • This resource addresses the relationship between legislation regarding PWR programming and accountability.
  • Primary audience: General

• Policy to Practice with Postsecondary Workforce Readiness - July 2026
  • This presentation discusses two major Colorado PWR laws—SB25-315 and HB23-1278.The presentation explores where the legislation aligns and diverges, and what that means for districts and schools in practice.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

• Matriculation Sub-Indicator Fact Sheet (DOC) - June 2024
  • The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide an overview of the matriculation sub-indicator including its basis in statute, source data, calculation method, recent/upcoming changes, and related frequently asked questions.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

• Higher Bar Sub-Indicators Fact Sheet (PDF) - March 2024
  • This resource describes the implementation of the new Higher Bar measures within the performance frameworks. Due to data quality concerns, implementation of these measures has been paused and may be revisited in future years.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

Optional Industry Credentials & CDIP Data Submission

• Optional Industry Credentials & CDIP Data Submission Template - April 2022
  • This excel spreadsheet reflects the data submission template used for the industry credential submission.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

Visit the AEC Accountability Webpage

• AEC Accountability Overview Webinar
  • AEC Accountability Overview Webinar Recording 
  • AEC Accountability Overview Webinar PowerPoint - September 2022
  • Overview of AEC School Performance Framework, changes for 2022 school, connecting optional measures to school mission and goals, and school improvement implications.

Other Alternative Education Campus Accountability Resources:

• New! AEC Report - HB 25-1167 Fact Sheet (PDF) - September 2025
  • State law created in 2025 (HB25-1167) requires CDE to complete an annual report on AEC year-round enrollment trends, including student demographics and groups.

• New! Optional Measures Sunsetting 2025-2026 (Excel) - September 2025
  • This resource provides the list of optional measures that are sunsetting along with the rationales.

• New! Optional Measures Re-Norming 2025-2026 (Excel) - September 2025
  • This resource provides the list of optional measures that are being re-normed for the 2026 performance frameworks.

• New! 2026 NWEA MAP and STAR Optional Measures Fact Sheet (PDF) - September 2025
  • This document provides the measures being sunset for 2026 and the approvable use of NWEA and STAR assessments with the cut points

• AEC Accountability Handbook (PDF) - September 2025
  • This document guides schools and districts through AEC accountability.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

• New! Calculation Guidance for Alternative Education Campuses (PDF) - September 2025
  • This resource guides schools and districts through the AEC required and optional measures, including definitions and calculation formulas.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

• New! Cut-Point Lock Up Document (Excel) - September 2025
  • This resources allows districts to look up each approved optional measure and the associated cut points. 
  • Primary Audience: District and school administrators

• 2025 AEC Annotated Framework Report (PDF) - September 2025
  • This resource is an annotated report with call out boxes that identify key information and changes to the performance framework report since the prior release.
  • Primary audience: General

• Alternative Education Campuses: Overview on AECs in Colorado (PDF) - February 2024
  • A fact sheet providing basic information on alternative education campuses in Colorado, including background and history, students served, accountability indicators, and developing improvement strategies.
  • Primary audience: General

• NWEA RIT Growth Rank Percentile Tables (Excel) - February 2023
  • NWEA MAP growth percentile conversion tables based on AEC norms for use in the Selection of Measures process.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

• AEC Accountability Overview Webinar Recording
• AEC Accountability Overview PowerPoint - September 2022
  • This webinar provided an overview of AEC School Performance framework, changes to the framework for the 2022 school year, connecting optional measures to school mission and goals, and school improvement implications for AECs.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

• 1 CCR 301-57, The Administration of Accountability for Alternative Campuses (PDF) - December 2016
  • This document provides the Colorado State Board of Education rules for the accountability of Alternative Education Campuses.
  • Primary Audience: District and school administrators

Visit the School Accreditation and Request to Reconsider Webpage

School Accreditation and Request to Reconsider Video/Webinar Resources:

Accreditation and Request to Reconsider 2026 Webinar
CDE staff will hold an accreditation and request to reconsider informational webinar Wednesday, September 3, 2026 at 9 to 10a.m.

• Click here to register for the Accreditation and Request to Reconsider 2026 Webinar. This webinar will be recorded and posted publicly on the request to reconsider website.

Other School Accreditation and Request to Reconsider Resources:

• Accreditation and Request to Reconsider Guidance (PDF) - August 2026
  • Guidance for Finalizing Accreditation Categories and Submitting Requests to Reconsider for District Accreditation Ratings and School Plan Types for 2026. 
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• 2024 Request to Reconsider Decisions - December 2024
  • On December 11, 2024, the state board finalized the performance frameworks for all schools and districts that participated in request to reconsider. The board approved improved district accreditation ratings for 10 districts and improved plan types for 74 schools. 
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• 2023 Request to Reconsider Decisions - December 2023
  • On December 13, 2023, the state board finalized the performance frameworks for all schools and districts that participated in request to reconsider. The board approved improved district accreditation ratings for 10 districts and improved plan types for 73 schools.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• 2022 Request to Reconsider Decisions - December 2022
  • 106 sites (districts and schools) participated in the 2022 request to reconsider process. On December 14, 2022, the State Board of Education approved improved district accreditation ratings for 5 districts and improved plan types for 92 schools using the 2022 request to reconsider process.
  • Primary audience: General

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Visit the District Accreditation Webpage

• Accreditation and Request to Reconsider Guidance - August 2026
  • Accreditation and Request to Reconsider Guidance (PDF)
  • Guidance for Finalizing Accreditation Categories and Submitting Requests to Reconsider for District Accreditation Ratings and School Plan Types for 2026. 
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators

Visit the State Review Panel Webpage

• State Review Panel Fact Sheet and Current Panelists - September 2024
  • This fact sheet describes the purpose and responsibilities of the State Review Panel, including a list of recommendation options and the most recent list of panelists.
  • Primary audience: General
• CDE State Review Panel School Visit Protocol - September 2024
  • This resource details what schools should expect from the State Review Panel site visit process, including types of visits, key questions, criteria, indicators, guidance, and recommendation options.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators
• CDE State Review Panel District Visit Protocol - September 2024
  • This resource details what districts should expect from the State Review Panel site visit process, including types of visits, key questions, criteria, indicators, guidance, and recommendation options.
  • Primary audience: District and school administrators