Colorado Model Content Standards Revision

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is undergoing a formal process to review and "refresh" the Colorado Model Content Standards that outline what every Colorado learner should know and be able to do by the time they graduate from high school by December of 2009. 

NOW is the time to make a strong recommendation to incorporate environmental education into our schools at a state supported level.

Be a voice for Environmental Education at a Meeting near you!

On May 18th-June 1st CDE will be conducting a Public Feedback Tour for Phase 1 of the revision which includes:  Science, Math, Reading and Writing, and Music standards.  Attend a meeting for the opportunity to support environmental education and comment on the specific content and skills that are a part of the new standards.  (Visit the Colorado Department of Education Website for for more information about meeting locations and times.)

• May 18th in Alamosa
• May 19th in LaJunta
• May 20th in Leadville
• May 21st in Denver
• May 26th in Grand Junction
• May 27th in Brighton
• May 28th in Sterling
  
• June 1st in Littleton

Can't attend a meeting? 
Visit  www.cde.state.co.us/cdeassess/UAS/PublicFeedback.html to share your comments online on CDE's new online listening log.
First, email Anna Huffman at CDE to request a "Comment Submission Code." Next, return to the online listening log, select the science standards (or see how EE fits into other disciplines!), select a specific standard, sign in using your assigned code, and enter your comment.

Download talking points for the new draft Colorado Academic Standards for Science.

Read the full draft of the Colorado Academic Standards for Science.

Other Ways to Get Involved

The conversation is just beginning and we need YOU to keep the momentum rolling. 

 CAEE will be creating and submitting a written recommendation for the draft science standards from the environmental education community in the coming weeks and there are several ways to be involved.  

• Pledge support!  Contact CAEE if your organization would consider supporting a written recommendation or write a recommendation letter to CDE.   
• Submit any comments/suggestions about the content of the new standards to CAEE for inclusion in the recommendation.
  
• Email CAEE to be added to a special Google group established to enable communication and share resources regarding standards revision.
  

• Email CAEE and join the Communications and Outreach Committee to help mobilize support.

Find Out More

• Read CAEE's Recommendation for the Revision of the Colorado Model Content Standards submitted to CDE in the Fall of 2008.
  
• Learn more abou the Colorado Model Content Standards Review Process
• Explore information to help Build a Case for Environmental Education in Our Schools
• Read the EE and Colorado Model Content Standards Gaps Analysis
• Meeting Minutes from June 6, 2008 meeting with EE Leaders and the Colorado Department of Education
  

 

Building Strong Standards for Environmental Education:

CAEE has been actively involved in promoting environmental literacy within the new standards since the process began with passage of state legislation (Senate Bill 212).  We are asking CDE and members of the content sub-committees to consider the following during the revision process:

• Infuse strong process skills into each of the content standards emphasizing:  questioning and analysis skills, skills for understanding and investigating environmental and other issues, and personal and civic responsibility skills.
• Maintain the strong quality of content related concepts in the existing model content standards.
• Use NAAEE’s Guidelines for Learning (PreK-12) as a model in the revision process.
• Review standards from Wisconsin, Kansas, and Vermont for examples of effective environmental education standards adopted on a state-wide level.

 

We have offered to help CDE in the process by:

• Participating in the revision process of the content sub-committees.  Three CAEE members served on the science committee and three members are currently serving on the social studies committees (Civics and Geography).
  
• Contributing expertise and input in the re-visioning of each of the content disciplines (including reading and writing, arts ,and physical education) to ensure that the interdisciplinary nature of environmental education is reflected in the standards.
• Serving as a resource or soliciting input from the environmental education community.

 

Thank you for helping the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education to shape and support a K-12 standards recommendation for natural resources and environmental education.