File:  AEA - Standards Based Education

NOTE:  While Colorado school districts are not required by law to adopt a policy on this subject, some content in this sample reflects legal requirements school districts must follow. This sample contains the content/language that CASB believes best meets the intent of the law. However, the district should consult with its own legal counsel to determine appropriate language that meets local circumstances and needs.

The Board supports a system of education that develops and teaches standards that enable students to achieve the highest level of knowledge and skills. Academic standards clearly identify what students should know and be able to do at key points in their school careers.

In accordance with state law, the Board has adopted a standards-based education system which focuses on student learning of the district’s academic standards. It is the intent of the Board that the district’s program of instruction and assessments be aligned with the district’s academic standards. In standards-based education, courses and units of study are clearly defined, understood by teachers and students and communicated to staff members, families and the community. The district’s standards-based education system will advance equity, promote student learning and reinforce accountability.

The superintendent will be responsible for developing a plan to implement the district’s academic standards that meet or exceed the model state academic standards and revise curriculum and programs of instruction to align them with the district’s standards to provide students with the educational experiences necessary to achieve the standards. The plan must also address the professional development of teachers and administrators to enable successful implementation of standards-based education. The plan must ensure that the educational programs of the district actively address the needs of exceptional students, consciously avoid gender or cultural bias and address the different learning styles and needs of students of various backgrounds and abilities and eliminate barriers to equity. The plan must conform with all timelines established by law.

The district will work with educators, parents, youth representatives, students, businesspersons, members of the community and the district accountability committee to review and revise the district’s academic standards as necessary to ensure maximum effectiveness and develop assessments that will adequately measure each student’s progress. Parents must be kept informed of student progress in achieving the district’s academic standards and how such progress will be measured. This information must also be provided to the district accountability committee [and school accountability committees].

NOTE:  Include “and school accountability committees” if applicable. Small rural districts are permitted to only have one accountability committee. C.R.S. 22-11-401 (4)(c).

(Adoption date)

LEGAL REFS.:   C.R.S. 22-1-104 (6)(a) (financial assistance to develop and promote programs that address state academic standards for civics)

C.R.S. 22-7-1013 (1) (adoption of academic standards)

C.R.S. 22-7-1013 (5)(b) (local education providers must select youth representatives to review education standards)

C.R.S. 22-11-101 et seq. (Education Accountability Act of 2009)

C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(r), (t) (duty to comply with state regulations and determine programs)

CROSS REF.:    AE, Accountability/Commitment to Accomplishment

[Revised February 2024]

COLORADO SAMPLE POLICY 1996©