File: AE (Option 2) - Accountability/Commitment to Accomplishment

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.

NOTE: This sample policy is for "small rural" districts that enroll less than 1,000 students and choose to have the district accountability committee also serve as the school accountability committee. C.R.S. 22-11-401 (4)(c).

(District Accountability/School Accountability Committee)

The Board accepts its ultimate responsibility for the academic accomplishments of district students. Consistent with this responsibility and as required by law, the Board shall adopt and maintain an accountability program to measure the adequacy and efficiency of the educational program.

Because the district has fewer than 1,000 enrolled students, the Board has determined that it is in the best interests of the district to have one committee serve the purposes of the district accountability committee and the school accountability committee. The Board shall appoint or create a process for the election of the committee. The committee shall have those powers and duties prescribed by state law. The Board and committee shall, at least annually, cooperatively determine the areas and issues, in addition to budget issues, that the committee shall study and the issues on which it may make recommendations to the Board.

All district accountability committee meetings shall be open to the public. Meeting notices shall be posted in the same place and manner as notices of Board meetings.

(Adoption date)

LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-2-117 (waivers from State Board of Education)

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

C.R.S. 22-11-301 and 302 (district accountability committee)

C.R.S. 22-11-401 and 402 (school accountability committee)

C.R.S. 24-6-402 (open meetings law)

1 CCR 301-1, Rules 2202-R-1.00 et seq. (accreditation rules)

CROSS REFS.: AEA, Standards Based Education

AED*, Accreditation

AEE*, Waiver of State Law and Regulation

DBD, Determination of Budget Priorities

NOTE 1: The Board may consider applying to the State Board of Education for a waiver of certain provisions of law or state regulations which in the Board´s discretion it believes necessary to accomplish the purposes of the accountability program. Such a waiver, if granted, shall continue indefinitely unless the Board requests revocation of the waiver or the State Board of Education revokes the waiver for good and just cause. 1 CCR 301-35, 2217-R-2.02. See policy AEE*, Waiver of State Law and Regulation.

NOTE 2: The Colorado Department of Education has created a District Accountability Handbook that provides an overview of accountability requirements for districts and schools.