In 2023, SB 23-008 was signed into law. The bill creates several opportunities for youth to be involved in the review of the state's education standards. By September 1, 2023 and annually thereafter, the commissioner must appoint youth representatives from nominations submitted by schools throughout the state to participate in the state standards review process outlined in C.R.S. 24-1-104.1 which includes community engagement. Additionally, the commissioner is required to invite two youth representatives from nominations submitted by schools to attend the regional educator meetings convened by CDE and CDHE concerning the alignment of preschool through postsecondary education system and as described in C.R.S. 22-7-1011. 

State law requires one third of the Colorado Academic Standards (CAS) to be reviewed every two years. In 2024-25, the CAS under review are in the areas of Comprehensive Health, Mathematics, Reading Writing Communicating, and Science.

Eligibility: Youth advisors must be

1.) Age 14-19
2.) Enrolled in and attending or recently graduated from a Tribal or Colorado junior high, middle, or high school, including an online or charter school or approved facility school as defined in section 22-2-402, Colorado Revised Statutes; be participating in a nonpublic, home-based educational program; be participating in a high school equivalency examination program; or have obtained a high school diploma through successful completion of a high school equivalency examination, as defined in section 22-33-102 (8.5).

3.) Nominations from small rural, rural and urban districts are encouraged

Process for nomination, application, appointment, and service:

June 1: Nomination/application form opens -- this single form will serve for both nomination and application

August 1: Nomination/application form closes

September 1: Commissioner youth advisor appointees are announced

February 15: Youth advisors are assigned to standards revision committees. Not all content areas under review may undergo revision. The State Board of Education is anticipated to determine at their January 2025 meeting which contents areas to revise based on benchmarking reports by external reviewers and initial public input. Applicants will be asked their preference for content area committees, and decisions about placement on committees will be based on a combination of applicant preference and the need to ensure that each committee is balanced in its representation of the people of Colorado.

Youth advisors to the standards review process serve a two-year term or until the standards revision cycle is complete, whichever comes first. They may serve more than one term. A commitment and active participation are critical. The majority of the standards revision committee work is projected to occur between February 1 and July 15, 2025, and again between November 2025 and January 2026.