Melissa York Commissioner | Colorado Department of Education
The Colorado State Board of Education met in August to review the results of the spring 2025 statewide assessments. The presentation showed steady improvement among many student groups, but highlighted that achievement gaps between groups remain a concern.
The board approved revised Colorado Academic Standards for science, which now include integrated climate science concepts. These standards define what students are expected to know at each grade level and are reviewed every six years. Over the past year, staff from the Colorado Department of Education developed eight recommendations for changes in third-grade and high school science standards after analyzing ten key climate science concepts and consulting resources such as the 2009 and 2024 NOAA Guides to Climate Literacy. Public feedback was collected from about 950 respondents, including students. On Thursday, board members discussed these revisions, made amendments and clarifications to three areas within middle school and high school standards, and voted 7-2 in favor of adopting the updated standards with amendments.
The board also approved proposed reductions to its budget for fiscal year 2026-27 due to a statewide shortfall exceeding $700 million caused by federal tax law changes. The reductions amount to approximately $3.35 million and will affect administrative functions, program evaluation cycles, and professional development opportunities for science educators.
Additional actions included recognizing Chris Reynolds as the 2024 Milken Educator Award winner. Reynolds is vice principal at Liberty Common High School in Fort Collins. The board unanimously agreed to move forward with rulemaking hearings in October regarding updates to School Transportation Fund rules as well as accounting and reporting rules.
A hearing was also held on proposed updates to school finance rules. These updates involve adding language on Census block data collection, supporting District Special Education funding in School Finance, and clarifying technical rules related to proof of residency. A vote on these rules is scheduled for September.
"The Colorado Department of Education’s vision is to create equitable educational environments where all students and staff in Colorado thrive. 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."
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