For starters, Colorado school districts are kept local, with 178 separate districts in the state. The State's Department of Education states that there are about 800,000 traditional students, in addition to some adult/continuing education programs.
In terms of quality, Colorado is one of 31 of the 50 states with an approved Student Assessment Program (CSAP). Standardized test scores are fairly good throughout the state, although the smaller districts tend to score slightly higher than the very large districts. Black, Hispanic, and Native American performance is of some concern.
Colorado has an active Growth Model to measure achievement of better standards at the individual, school, and district levels. Teaching in Colorado receives lots of State Government attention.
Colorado teachers need to be licensed by the state. Fees are modest and are paid annually. Individuals interested in acquiring a license for teaching in Colorado should visit CDE's Office of Professional Services (OPS) Homepage at http://www.cde.state.co.us/index_licproservices.htm
Colorado Teacher Requirements
Teaching in Colorado is a good choice because the financial woes that have plagued other states have not hit Colorado in the same way. The ongoing strength of the Colorado economy seems to have inspired confidence among educational institutions and the legislators that support them. This means Colorado is better poised in many ways than other locales to hire teachers and offer steady employment.
Teaching in Colorado seems like a pretty good bet when compared to states like Michigan, Ohio and New Jersey; states that are cutting funding for schools and laying off permanent teachers in favor of adjuncts without benefits. Conversely, Colorado teachers have plenty of opportunities, both in elementary and secondary education, for permanent employment, a fair wage and excellent benefits.
Something else to consider is the general living conditions in the state. Colorado is well known for its clean air and water, and the world-class ski slopes make up for the colder months each season. With vast mountainous wilderness areas within reach of one of the largest modern cities in the U.S., teaching in Colorado may very well offer personal rewards beyond the classroom. There is no doubt that the state of Colorado has a lot to offer educators.