During its October meeting, the Colorado State Board of Education received updates on the Department of Education’s strategic plan to improve student engagement and academic results. The department aims to halve the state’s chronic absenteeism rate from its 2021-22 pandemic high of 35.5% by the 2027-28 school year and increase the proportion of third graders who meet or exceed expectations on English Language Arts tests to 60%.
For the 2024–25 school year, average daily attendance across Colorado remained steady at 91.4%, with chronic absenteeism affecting 28.4% of students—similar rates to last year. The board noted that “60% of districts improved in both attendance and chronic absenteeism, and kindergarten through second grade showed statewide gains.” Two-thirds of districts participating in the Attendance Learning Cohort reported progress.
To support schools in boosting engagement, more than 50 schools and districts have joined CDE’s Every School Day Matters campaign, which is focused on reducing chronic absenteeism by half. The department is also expanding professional learning opportunities, building family and community partnerships, and promoting innovative instruction.
In efforts to improve literacy outcomes, Colorado has set a goal for every child to read at grade level by third grade. The department plans to raise the percentage of third-graders meeting or exceeding expectations on CMAS English language arts assessments from 42% in 2024 to 60% by 2028. According to CDE staff: “Significant reading deficiency rates continue to decline statewide, and schools participating in CDE’s Early Literacy Grant are showing stronger gains in reading outcomes than the state overall.” Nearly 60% of K–3 students now attend schools involved in the Early Literacy Assessment Tool project.
To accelerate improvement, CDE is sharing effective instructional practices, redesigning data systems for better district support, and strengthening local instructional leadership.
The board also took several actions during its meeting:
– Approved updated rules for administering the Public Transportation Fund by changing the definition of capital outlay from an expenditure over $100 to one over $10,000 and expanding allowable reimbursable expenses.
– Approved new accounting and reporting rules that include references to Universal Preschool Program and Healthy School Meals for All.
The Colorado Department of Education states: “Our role is to improve student outcomes and ensure students and families across Colorado have access to high-quality schools by serving, guiding, and elevating our state’s 178 school districts and BOCES.”
