The Colorado Education Initiative

Canon City Schools Fremont RE-1 Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program offers one powerful example of the immense impact of connecting students to their unique passion, purpose, and a path to economic mobility through access to college credit, industry-recognized credentials, and work-based learning.

As graduate Ian Bursha shared, P-TECH "changed my life" by helping him discover something he loved to pursue while still in high school, and Cañon City's CTE Director, Madison Tortessi, points out the "how," mentioning that "this program is so important because it really gives students something to focus on."

This work is supporting students to graduate with more than a diploma; it's helping them build a future.

P-TECH programs across Colorado demonstrate how schools, colleges, and industry partners can work together to expand opportunities for students and bring the Big Three to life.

Congratulations to Cañon City Schools for this well-deserved recognition and to the Cañon City Daily Record and reporter Olivia Johnson for highlighting this story.

Read the full article to learn more about the student impact:
https://bit.ly/4urdqXa

, Superintendent Adam Hartman, Bill Summers, Shane Thornton

Ten days. Ten districts. Today's final spotlight.

Day 10: Mesa County Valley School District 51

School Leader Evaluation is this district's greatest increase – and the numbers tell the story directly:
▪️𝟗𝟔% say the district clearly describes expectations for school leaders (+𝟐𝟐 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒)
▪️𝟖𝟕% of school leaders rate the evaluation process favorably (+𝟏𝟗 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 and +𝟒 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞), including 𝟖𝟔% who say their effectiveness is accurately assessed through the evaluation process (+𝟐𝟏 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒)
▪️District Support has grown from 𝟕𝟏% 𝐭𝐨 𝟖𝟒% over four years (+𝟑 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞)

A jump of 19 points in how school leaders experience evaluation reflects real change in how the district and its principals are working together – built on clearer expectations, more useful feedback, and growing trust. This is the foundation improved performance is built on.

CEI knows the power of great leadership and strong systems to create thriving students, schools, and communities. Under Dr. Hill's leadership, D51 has demonstrated what an aligned school and district leadership team can accomplish.

Proud to partner with Mesa County Valley School District 51.

Ten of many reasons we believe in Colorado public education.

Colorado Department of Education Dr. Brian Hill

As we close out the 25-26 school year, we're celebrating what's possible in Colorado public education – one district at a time.

Day 5 spotlight: West Grand School District 1-JT

The Teaching and Learning Conditions Colorado (TLCC) survey asks educators whether they're receiving the professional learning and support they need to grow and do their best work.

West Grand’s investment in their educators shows up clearly in the numbers.

Among instructional staff:
𝟗𝟎% rate professional development favorably (+𝟏𝟕 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 +𝟏𝟕 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞)
𝟗𝟏% rate the staff evaluation process favorably (+𝟐𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 +𝟖 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞)
𝟗𝟑% report strong instructional support and conditions (+𝟖 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞)

A +17 lead on professional development in a small rural district isn't a given, it's a choice. West Grand makes it consistently.

Proud to partner with West Grand School District.

Colorado Department of Education