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ESEA & Colorado's
Accountability and Accreditation System
Prior to the 2002 reauthorization of ESEA, Colorado already had its accountability and accreditation systems in place. Now the Legislature, State Board of Education, Department of Education, and the education community must work to see how they fit together with ESEA's requirements.
Accreditation
Colorado's accreditation law was passed in 1998. ESEA requires the state to have a "single system of accountability based on student achievement." State education officials persuaded the U.S. Department of Education that Colorado's accreditation system meets ESEA requirements.
Colorado's law was passed in 2000 (SB 186). ESEA requires the state to have a statewide system of "report cards" that provide citizens with a wide range of information about what is going on in K-12 public schools. State education officials persuaded the U.S. Department of Education that Colorado's SARs meet the ESEA requirements.
A single mailing annually each December fulfills the requirements of an earlier state law (the Accountability Act); the School Accountability Reports; and now ESEA.
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