CELS Overview
San Juan BOCES
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Welcome and Agenda
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Our Vision
To create an equitable educational environment where all students and staff in Colorado thrive
> SERVE
Provide actionable support to local educational agencies
> GUIDE
Implement policy and legislation in an effective way
> ELEVATE
Share the experiences of local educational agencies and students
Our Role
To improve student outcomes and ensure students and families across Colorado have access to high-quality schools, we will:
Our Core Values: INTEGRITY | EQUITY | ACCOUNTABILITY | TRUST | SERVICE
Increase Student�Engagement
Accelerate Student Outcomes
Provide Operational Excellence
Strengthen the Educator Workforce
Our Priorities:
Theory of Change
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Our schools, students, and educators
Eligible for Free/Reduced �Lunch:
403,231 (~46%)
Students with Individualized Education Programs:
113,992 (~13%)
Multilingual Learners*:
95,734 (~11%)
McKinney Vento:
16,540 (~2%)
*Includes both Non-English Proficient and Limited English Proficient students
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SCHOOL
DISTRICTS
1,927
SCHOOLS
881,464
PUBLIC �SCHOOL
STUDENTS
Student Demographics*
*October 2023 Data
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SSN Network Support
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Who are our students?
Students with significant support needs are highly diverse learners with extensive needs in the areas of cognition and/or learning, communication, movement, and social/emotional abilities. The individual may also have concurrent health, sensory, physical, and/or behavioral disabilities.
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According to CDE, students with significant support needs require…
a wide variety of approaches and supports to demonstrate their knowledge and skills
intensive instruction in literacy, numeracy and problem-solving skills in order to acquire and generalize knowledge
substantial adaptations (modifications and accommodations) and/or ongoing supports in order to access grade level curriculum
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And also require….
access to assistive technology tools to communicate, learn and demonstrate their knowledge
progress to be measured by observation, data collection, assessment, and work samples
individualized levels of support across major life activities in home, school, and community.
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Role of the SSN Network
The SSN Network, composed of a team of SSN Coaches, is designed to assist school districts in providing quality services for students with the most significant needs. Upon request, an SSN Coach will be assigned to address your referral.
In an effort to provide effective Technical Assistance between the CDE SSN Network and the Administrative Unit, there are assurances that outline steps to foster a collaborative, solution-focused process.
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CONNECT Listserv
The CONNECT (Connect to Networking, News and Encouragement for Caring Teachers) listserv is a place for teachers and service providers working with students with significant support needs (e.g. physical disabilities, autism, multiple disabilities, etc.) to find information, encouragement and networking opportunities.
We know that many times those working with students with significant needs may be isolated and lack the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues or find the expertise they need in a timely and safe setting. This is a place to ask questions, have discussion and share ideas with those in the field that are having the same experiences.
To subscribe to the CONNECT listserv:
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CELS Overview
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READ Act Differentiated Pathways
In order to meet the legal mandate that ALL students in grades K-3 be screened for an SRD-significant reading deficiency, the Exceptional Student Services Unit, in collaboration with the Office of Literacy, has developed a Differentiated Pathways process.
Colorado Emergent Literacy Scales (CELS) is a framework is designed to collect information through a structured portfolio process to determine if a student has a significant reading deficiency (SRD). It is also designed to inform instruction for students who receive their instruction based on the alternate achievement standards or Extended Evidence Outcomes.
CELS is intended for use with students K-3 a student who can not access the standard assessments. Students in older grades would likely qualify to participate in the CO-Alt State Alternative Assessment.
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How it works?
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What does it address?
It is comprised of six scales that reflect the knowledge, skills, and understandings required by the assessment blueprint. Each scale captures development from early foundational skills through target skills at the kindergarten, first, second, and third grade level.
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Outcomes
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More Outcomes
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Initial Kindergarten Targets
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Final Third Grade Targets
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Comprehensive Literacy for All - Book Study
Book Study offered by CDE
Starting the week of September 7 for 13 weeks
Two evening options
Earn 24 clock hours
Be on the lookout for a flyer soon
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CELS Guidance
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