Colorado students learn best when they stay engaged in safe and supportive learning environments.

Reduce K-12 student chronic absenteeism by more than 50% from its pandemic high of 35.5%  in 2021-22 to 15% in 2027-28.

Our key strategies include:

• Strengthening capacity to boost attendance across all grade levels
• Expanding resources to strengthen student and staff wellbeing and belonging
• Expanding resources and support for students’ physical, mental, and behavioral health
• Strengthening educator skills for providing engaging, innovative instruction
• Enhancing family and community partnerships to boost student engagement

Progress updates:

• 5/4/26: Students share real-world perspectives on high school readiness at state roundtable
• 4/1/26: How Summit High School reduced chronic absenteeism by more than 25%
• 10/8/25: Board presentation on Increasing Student Engagement (10/8/25)
• 8/27/25: 2024-25 student attendance & chronic absenteeism largely unchanged from 2023-24

Learn more about our "Every School Day Matters!" attendance campaign

Colorado students start strong with effective literacy instruction and support. Colorado high school graduates leave ready with work-based learning experiences and post-secondary credentials.

• Increase the percentage of third graders meeting or exceeding expectations on ELA CMAS from 42% in 2024 to 60% by 2028.
• Starting with the anticipated year of graduation of 2029, 100% of graduates will have achieved at least one of the following:
  • Earned a quality, in-demand non-degree credential
  • Earned 12 college credits that count toward a postsecondary credential
  • Participated in one high-quality work-based learning (WBL) opportunity (from Learning Through Work and Learning at Work sections of the Work-based Learning Continuum)

Our key strategies include:

• Elementary:
  • Build educator capacity to deliver effective early literacy practices, especially for underserved students
  • Strengthen and coordinate tiered literacy support for districts based on their specific needs
  • Use statewide data to spotlight districts and schools with exceptional early literacy outcomes for disadvantaged students
• Secondary
  • Support district-level efforts to provide multiple pathway options for postsecondary workforce readiness (PWR) aligned to student interests and goals

Progress updates:

• 4/30/26: Bryant Webster’s dual language model drives gains in literacy and student success
• 4/26/26: CDE presents 371 awards to Colorado schools and districts
• 4/20/26: Steamboat Springs schools boost early literacy through aligned instruction, data-driven approach
• 2/18/26: Colorado recognized as a leader in new 50-state study on the future of high school
• 1/28/26: CDE Presents ESEA Award to McClave Elementary School
• 1/27/26: CDE presents ESEA Award to DSST: Cedar Middle School
• 1/13/26: Colorado graduation rate reaches highest level in more than a decade; dropout rate at all-time low
• 12/10/25: State Board finalizes 2025 School Performance Frameworks
• 10/8/25: Board presentation on Accelerating Student Outcomes: Transforming Early Literacy in Colorado (PDF)
• 8/21/25: State Board discusses 2025 statewide assessments
• 6/11/25: CDE releases preliminary state-level results from the 2025 state assessments

Learn more about third grade reading proficiency | Learn more about graduating with the "Big Three"

Colorado students thrive when educators stay engaged because they feel prepared, supported, and valued.

98% of teacher positions are filled with educators who either hold a professional teaching license or are in a teacher preparation program, have demonstrated content knowledge in their teaching endorsement, and are supported by a trained mentor.

Our key strategies include:

• Strengthen state-level support for educator recruitment and retention
• Increase aspiring educator participation in preparation and licensure pathways
• Improve educator working conditions through leadership development programs
• Promote the profession to attract and retain educators

Progress updates:

• 4/27/26: Poudre School District model shows promise for improving teacher retention
• 4/14/26: Results of 2026 TLCC Survey show improvement in educator perceptions of working and learning conditions
• 3/12/26: State Board of Education approves Cherry Creek School District’s Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Program
• 3/2/26: State’s largest teacher recruitment fair is Saturday at Frederick High School
• 2/12/26: CDE seeks nominations for 2027 Teacher of the Year
• 1/8/26: Harrison School District 2 teacher wins $25,000 Milken Educator Award
• 10/2/25: Greeley-Evans teacher named 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year
• 9/15/25: CDE announces 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year finalist from Alamosa School District
• 9/9/25: CDE announces 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year finalist Mesa County Valley School District 51
• 9/4/25: CDE announces 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year finalists in Cañon City and Colorado Springs
• 9/3/25: CDE announces 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year in Revere and Greeley-Evans school districts
• 6/5/25: CDE selects 20 teachers as semifinalists for 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year

Learn more about educator licensing and preparation programs

Colorado’s Department of Education provides exceptional service through improved efficiencies and a growth-oriented culture.

Increase the percentage of employees who indicate that the department is proactively addressing the critical factors that impact the employee experience. 

Our key strategies include:

• Develop a culture of employee growth and opportunities
• Analyze internal systems for efficiencies and automation opportunities
• Identify ways to improve efficiency and automation to enhance support for schools, districts, and grantees

Progress updates:

• 2/3/26: Coloradans invited to give feedback on high school math standards
• 1/30/26: Community organizations invited to host summer meal program sites
• 1/13/26: CDE releases 2025-2026 student enrollment counts
• 9/10/25: CDE to host the 2025 Elevating Excellence Conference on Sept. 17-18
• 8/21/25: State Board discusses 2025 statewide assessments
• 6/3/25: Free summer meals available for all Colorado youths ages 18 and younger
• 6/2/25: CDE invites school and district leaders to join 2025-26 learning cohorts

Learn more about the CDE employee experience