The role of the Primary special education teacher in the state of Colorado is a nebulous role. This is not because the children or instructional strategies are different; the difference is in the system in which the educator must interact. The role is made challenging by state and district initiatives, imminent statewide testing, and changing state standards. In an effort to build an understanding of this system, you are asked to complete an independent study of the following concepts. These concepts can be studied with internet searches, exploration of the CDE website, interviews with primary educators and administrators, and book studies.
Explore two of the topics below in depth, comprehensively, and based on a variety of perspectives. Complete a 4-5 double-spaced page paper on each topic. Within each paper, cite resources that you used to gather your information and include a reference list (APA style). This paper can be structured in any way you choose that conveys the information you learned. Feel free to include essay portions, bullets, tables, etc.
-Colorado Department of Education: Discuss the role of CDE in the Colorado education system, what supports are offered to districts and teachers, and how the pieces of assessment, performance framework, standards and curriculum fit together in the Colorado educational system.
-Colorado District Sample Curriculum: Review the information about the Colorado District Sample Curriculum on the CDE website. Compare this system to the DEC Recommended Practices. In what ways does this system align with best practices and what ways is it not matched well? Write a reflection based on these comparisons.
-Evaluation of District Curriculum: Look closely at a literacy or mathematics curriculum utilized by a local school district. Evaluate the curriculum for its outcomes with children, ability to be adapted, opportunities for extended learning, and connections to the Common Core standards.
-Interpretation of Performance Frameworks: Study the District and School Performance Frameworks in the state of Colorado. Discuss the various components, resources that are available and the steps within the process of evaluating school performance.
-Common Core State Standards: Review the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics for Kindergarten through second graders. Determine the ways in which the Common Core Standards for K-second grade align with what you have learned about developmentally appropriate practice and the ways in which they do not.
-Teacher Effectiveness Evaluation: Examine the legislation associated with the new Educator Effectiveness and Accountability system. Discuss and review the major components of this legislation. Interview an administrator in a local school district and understand how it is being implemented. Then, discuss the challenges and benefits associated with this new model.
-Colorado Academic Growth Model/ Statewide Testing Processes: While this does not directly affect children in grades K-2, it is the preparations that they receive in those grades that directly impact performance in 3rd grade statewide testing. Explore the ways in which learning is measured in the state of Colorado at the primary level (K-2). Discuss the impact of both academic proficiency and growth. Reflect on how the Colorado Growth Model aligns with best practices in early childhood.
-Attend School Board Meeting or District Accountability Meeting: At a local school district, attend a school board meeting or district accountability meeting. Follow the agenda and take notes on what you learned. Write a reflection after attending the meeting. Within this paper, discuss the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the educational system. What are the procedures that work within the district? What pieces of the system do you recognize as less effective? Write a reflection paper based on your discoveries.
Upload your two papers to ECED 6914: One credit documentation.