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

Proud to partner with Durango School District!

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 near the end of our 10-day celebration, today's spotlight is on a district delivering results that are hard to sustain at any scale, let alone this one.

Day 9 spotlight: St. Vrain Valley School District

Among school leaders:
▪️ 𝟗𝟒% rate the evaluation process favorably (+𝟖 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 +𝟏𝟏 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞)
▪️ 𝟗𝟑% feel supported by their district (+𝟏𝟐 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞)
▪️ 𝟏𝟎𝟎% say district leadership provides timely support when priorities change

Trust, clarity, and consistency – district-wide. Results like these reflect years of deliberate work to build a system where leaders at every level feel equipped to lead well.

Proud to partner with St. Vrain Valley School District.

Colorado Department of Education, Jackie Kapushion, Ed.D.

Eight days in, and the theme is clear: the best school communities don't just support their people – they empower them.

Day 8 spotlight: Weld County School District RE-1

This year's TLCC results show a staff with real voice, agency, and ownership in their schools:
▪️ 𝟗𝟒% report a strong professional climate (+𝟕 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 +𝟗 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞)
▪️ 𝟗𝟐% rate staff leadership favorably (+𝟏𝟒 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 +𝟏𝟏 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞)
▪️ 𝟗𝟐% rate the staff evaluation process favorably (+𝟏𝟏 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 +𝟗 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞)

All three categories climbing together. Educators here aren't just showing up – they're contributing, leading, and shaping the direction of their schools.

These data highlight the impact of a focused and committed new leader – the difference Superintendent Kimberly Bloemen has made in just 20 months

Proud to partner with Weld County RE-1.

Colorado Department of Education

We're spending 10 days celebrating what's real in Colorado public education – including the districts doing the sustained work of getting better every year.

Day 7 spotlight: Durango School District

The TLCC survey captures whether educators have the conditions and growth opportunities to teach well.

Durango's story this year is about investment in teachers:
▪️ Professional development is the district's greatest increase – 𝐮𝐩 𝟏𝟐 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒, including 𝟕𝟔% of staff who feel their employer invests in their career, 𝐮𝐩 𝟐𝟑 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲
▪️ 𝟗𝟏% of instructional staff report having the resources, autonomy, and conditions to teach effectively (+𝟖 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒, +𝟔 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞)
▪️ 𝟗𝟒% of staff report having leadership opportunities at their school (+𝟕 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒)

Progress that shows up across multiple categories, moving in the same direction, tells a more reliable story than any single number. Durango is moving, and it's no accident. The district's Portrait of a Graduate gives educators a shared, future-focused vision for student outcomes that anchors how they teach and work together. When a staff coalesces around something like that, the data follows.

Proud to partner with Durango School District.

# TeachersofColorado Colorado Department of Education

Six days in, and we keep finding the same thing: when district leadership genuinely shows up for its people, it shows up in the data.

Day 6 spotlight: Delta County School District 50J

The TLCC survey captures whether staff feel supported, satisfied in their roles, and working in an environment that starts at the top.

Delta's school leaders are unambiguous about their district:
▪️𝟗𝟔% rate district support favorably (+𝟕 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐 𝐚𝐧𝐝 +𝟏𝟓 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞)
▪️𝟏𝟎𝟎% say the district provides principals with the support they need (+𝟏𝟎 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒)
▪️𝟏𝟎𝟎% say district leadership takes steps to solve problems and provides timely support

That culture extends outward. Job satisfaction across all staff sits at 𝟕𝟓% – 𝟕 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞. Support for staff wellbeing at 𝟗𝟒%. This isn't a one-year result; it's a pattern built over multiple years of consistent leadership.

Proud to partner with Delta County School District 50(J).

Congratulations to longtime Superintendent Caryn Gibson on her retirement and welcome to incoming Superintendent Amber Clark! You are inheriting something special.

Colorado Department of Education

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

Ten days. Ten districts. Ten reasons we believe in Colorado public education.

Day 4 spotlight: Canon City Schools Fremont RE-1

The TLCC survey measures the conditions educators experience every day – from how they're evaluated to whether they have the support they need to do their best work.

Cañon City's results this year are a study in breadth. Not one category spiking while others lag – nearly every category above state average and trending upward at the same time.

Among school leaders and all staff:
▪️ 𝟏𝟎𝟎% of school leaders rate the evaluation process favorably (+𝟏𝟕 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞)
▪️ 𝟗𝟕% feel supported by the district (+𝟖 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 +𝟏𝟔 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞)
▪️ 𝟗𝟒% rate the staff evaluation process favorably (+𝟖 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 +𝟏𝟏 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞)

Professional development at 𝟖𝟓% – 𝐮𝐩 𝟖 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 and 𝟏𝟎 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞. Support for staff wellbeing at 𝟗𝟓%. The pattern holds everywhere you look.

In the journey from good to great, Cañon City is proof that great isn't a plateau — it's a starting point. The courageous leadership of Superintendent Adam Hartman and the Cañon City School Board shows what's possible when strong governance and community support keep pushing forward.

Proud to partner with Cañon City Schools.

Colorado Department of Education