Nov. 22, 2011

Deadline for boards to review standards approaching

As required by CAP4K, also known as Senate Bill 08-212 or the Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids, Colorado’s academic standards have been revised and adopted by the State Board of Education. CAP4K also requires each school district to review and compare its standards with the revised state standards by Dec. 15, 2011.

As part of, or subsequent to this review, each district must determine whether it will revise existing standards as necessary to meet or exceed the state’s standards or adopt the state’s model standards as written. As part of its communications on Strategic Priorities, the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) recently reminded school districts that the deadline for review is approaching, and CASB has received a number of questions regarding this requirement. We met with representatives from CDE last week to better understand the actions school districts and local school boards should undertake to comply with the law.

In 2009, CASB revised sample policy AEA, Standards Based Education, to reflect the requirements of CAP4K. This sample policy specifically adopts a standards-based education system and directs the superintendent to ensure the school district’s standards meet or exceed the state’s model standards. The applicable statute, C.R.S. § 22-7-1013(1), attaches responsibilities to the local education provider, and we believe CASB’s sample policy reflects the appropriate allocation of responsibility between the local school board and the superintendent. CASB agrees it is best practice for local school boards to ensure their local school districts have completed the work required by CAP4K.

After conferring with CDE, we believe local boards can document their work on this issue by:

1. Requesting the superintendent or other appropriate school district personnel report to the board, on or before Dec. 15, 2011,with regard to the school district’s review of its standards in comparison with the state standards. This discussion may include a recommendation or decision regarding whether the district will adopt the state’s standards or revise its standards to meet or exceed the state’s requirements, though that decision is not required by Dec. 15, 2011. The minutes of the meeting should clearly capture the presentation and document the local school district’s compliance with CAP4K’s requirements; and/or
2. Adopting a resolution affirming the adoption of the standards or, alternatively, directing the superintendent to revise the district’s standards to meet or exceed the state standards. Please see the CASB Sample Resolution.

The statutory deadline is quickly approaching and we encourage local boards to consider this issue as soon as practicable. However, CDE has assured us that it will not monitor district implementation and there are no consequences in the law for districts that fail to formally review their standards by the December deadline. We encourage our members to move forward and invite your questions, if we may be of assistance.

Please contact the CASB Legal Team with questions at 303-832-1000 or memberlegal@casb.org.

For more information on CAP4K, visit CDE’s CAP4K webpage.