Colorado Christian University College of Adult and Graduate Studies has an Alternative Licensing Program. Alternative licensing candidates work in their school as full-time teachers while they are earning an initial license. CCU offers an alternative licensing program for special education as well as regular education. Any alternative licensure candidate is considered to be highly qualified. CCU's program has been in existence since 2004. CCU provides quality mentoring and supervision to all candidates. They also work closely with the school administration to align teacher training with school initiatives and goals.

CCU also has a BA special education generalist program for those who want to pursue a generalist license or those who need to add a special education generalist endorsement to their existing license.

For more information about these programs contact:
Bush White Ed. D
bbwhite@ccu.edu
(303) 963-3120

www.ccu.edu  

The Colorado Department of Education's Office of Educator Licensing recently announced the limited availability of a new round of scholarships to support teachers applying for National Board Certification with the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.

Colorado teachers can apply for a federal scholarship of $1,250 provided by the U.S. Department of Education, as well as a Colorado scholarship of $750. The Colorado scholarships are being made available from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant funds that were allocated to district grant applicants, but not spent. Gov. John Hickenlooper's office this week approved the use of remaining grant funds for the Colorado portion of the scholarship.
 
Scholarships are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, but Colorado also reserves the right to fund teachers in low-performing schools first.

The scholarship window is open through Dec. 1, 2011, or until funds are no longer available.

Interested teachers should begin by applying with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Candidates must check the box that allows their information to be released to funding agencies. After paying an application processing charge of $65 and initial fee of $500, teachers should complete the Federal Scholarship Application Form, a one-page essay discussed on the scholarship form and the Colorado Scholarship Application Form. Scholarship application forms, the essay and proof of payment of the $565 should be faxed to CDE at 303-866-6866.

The Colorado League of Charter Schools will be providing regional trainings this summer and fall to help schools prepare to complete the new UIP planning process. Due to the importance of the new UIP template, the League will use grant funds to greatly decrease the cost of these trainings.
 
Description: Gain a deeper understanding of the UIP template and research-based practices in school improvement planning. During these workshops, school leaders will engage in meaningful school improvement planning, aligned to research in best practice and state reporting requirements.
 
Participants will:
·Gain effective tools for school improvement planning.
·Understand the new UIP and reporting requirements.
·Develop a timeline, measures, and metrics for school improvement planning.

UIP Regional Training Schedule
 
DENVER METRO
Date: Monday, June 13
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: High Point Academy, 6750 N. Dunkirk St., Aurora
Cost: League members: $50 per person | Non-members: $100 per person. (Grant funds have been used to subsidize the cost of this training, which would normally cost $325/person.)
Registration: Click here to register. Deadline: June 9.
 
SOUTHERN COLORADO
Date: Tuesday, August 23
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Penrose House, 1661 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs (is located approximately ½ mile west of the Broadmoor Hotel).
Cost: League members: $50 per person | Non-members: $100 per person. (Grant funds have been used to subsidize the cost of this training, which would normally cost $325/person.)
Registration: Click here to register. Deadline: August 18.
 
Date: Tuesday, September 13
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: James Irwin Charter Schools, 5525 Astrozon Blvd., Colorado Springs
Cost: League members: $50 per person | Non-members: $100 per person. (Grant funds have been used to subsidize the cost of this training, which would normally cost $325/person.)
Registration: Click here to register. Deadline: September 8. 
 

NORTH DENVER/METRO

Date: Friday, September 9
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: The Pinnacle Charter School, 1001 W. 84th Avenue, Federal Heights
Cost: League members: $50 per person | Non-members: $100 per person. (Grant funds have been used to subsidize the cost of this training, which would normally cost $325/person.)
Registration: Click here to register. Deadline: September 6.

WESTERN SLOPE
Date: Friday, September 23
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Caprock Academy, 714 - 24½ Road, Grand Junction
Cost: League members: $50 per person | Non-members: $100 per person. (Grant funds have been used to subsidize the cost of this training, which would normally cost $325/person.)
Registration: Click here to register. Deadline: September 19.

ADDITIONAL TRAININGS
Additional UIP Trainings will be offered based on demand. If your school is interested in hosting a training, contact Tisha Bouwmeester at tbouwmeester@coloradoloeague.org.

Are you assessing your students using NWEA's Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) in the fall and spring?

If so, you qualify to purchase NWEA's virtual comparison group (VCG) report. The VCG analysis determines how your school's longitudinal growth compares nationally, based on students in the same grades and with similar starting RIT points.  VCG reports provide excellent evidence for understanding your school's performance on a national level.

The League contracts with NWEA to conduct a Virtual Comparison Group (VCG) analysis for schools and can write an accompanying document to help schools interpret their results. This analysis will be run over the summer, and our goal is to get both reports back to you in time for instructional planning efforts in August. 

The cost for the VCG report is $0.90 per student, plus a $25 surcharge (when purchased through the League). Customization of the VCG reports, such as separate reports by grade level (elementary, middle, and high school grades) gender or ethnicity, are available through NWEA for an additional charge.

If you would like the League to summarize your school's results in a concise report suitable for parents, board members or authorizer (excellent for inclusion in your annual report), the cost is $100.

If you are interested in purchasing a VCG report for your school or learning more about VCG, please contact Tisha Bouwmeester (tbouwmeester@coloradoleague.org or 303-989-5356 106) by June 19.

Interact with your colleagues and learn directly from Alpine staff as you explore the newest Alpine tools and features. Schools are encouraged to send teams of 2-6 people. Your team will have hands-on opportunities to try out the newest features and brush up on techniques for using the system efficiently.

Facilities Financing and Acquisition

For 31 years, UGL-Equis/Education Site Selection has offered real estate services, including lease negotiation, that take the time consuming effort of site location and/or moving out of the hands of busy school leaders. Securing excellent school locations for our clients it our top priority. FREE SERVICES To Our School Clients: Programming - We lay out the space the way you envision it; The Search - Total city coverage with database & drive-by accuracy; Lease Review - Protects client. May include expansion clause.

Contact:

Rebekah Cordova
Teacher Institute at La Academia
311 West 11th Avenue
Denver, CO 80204
Phone: (303)455-1444
Email: rebekah@teachandlead.org
Website: http://www.teachandlead.org

ASCD: Outstanding Young Educator Award

The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development is seeking nominations for its Outstanding Young Educator Award, which recognizes a teacher under the age of 40 who demonstrates excellence in his or her profession, a positive impact on students, creativity in the classroom, and leadership in his or her school or district.
Maximum award: $10,000.
Eligibility: K-12 teachers under age 40; self-nominations accepted.
Deadline: Aug 1, 2011.

Click here for more information.

Using the UIP as a Tool for School Improvement Planning
Hosted by the Colorado League of Charter Schools
Date: Monday, June 13 (Can be paired with Data Teams Seminar on June 14)
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: High Point Academy, 6750 N. Dunkirk St., Aurora, CO 80019
Cost: $175 per person for League member schools; $225 per person, non-member schools. (Grant funds have been used to subsidize the cost of this training, which would normally cost $325/person.)
Description: Gain a deeper understanding of the UIP template and research-based practices in school improvement planning. During these workshops, school leaders will engage in meaningful school improvement planning, aligned to research in best practice and state reporting requirements. Click here to register. Deadline: June 9.

NWEA Colorado Assessment Summit
Hosted by Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA)
Date: Monday, June 13
Time: 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Location: Emerson Building Modular, 930 Ute Ave., Grand Junction, CO 81501
Description: Attend the Colorado Assessment Summit and gain insight into how using data can help close the academic achievement gap. This unique event, brought to you by NWEA, empowers school and district leaders with insights about academic assessments that can transform outcomes in your schools. Join us at the complimentary one-day event. Click here to register.