To test or not to test, that is the question
The Colorado Measures of Academic Success, or CMAS, is the state's summative assessment. The test is aligned to the state’s academic standards and is supposed to gauge how well students are mastering the standards. CMAS is usually given to students in the following grades and subjects: English language arts (Grades 3-8); Mathematics (Grades 3-8); Science (Grade 5, 8, 11); and Social Studies (Grade 4, 7, 11 in selected schools). In a typical school year, test results are usually released in early fall.
This year, due to COVID, school districts and parents have questioned whether we should move forward with CMAS. Last fall, Governor Polis and the Colorado Department of Education convened a working group to pull together a Road Map to In-Person Learning. The group also took up the question about testing, and recommended the following:
- High school students should still take the PSAT and SAT in the spring;
- The social studies test (typically given to fourth and seventh graders) and the science test (typically given to fifth, eighth, and 11th graders) should not be given this year;
- Any standardized tests should not be used for high-stakes accountability purposes, including teacher evaluations; and
- Colorado should not issue school or district performance ratings next fall based on tests given in the spring.
The group, however, could not come to consensus on whether to move forward this spring with the remaining aspects of CMAS, and the debate on whether to test or not to test has ramped up in the last few weeks. Here are a few articles that outline the various arguments:
As you can see by these interviews, I have decided to carry a bill that would direct the Colorado Department of Education to seek a federal waiver to pause CMAS testing for this year. Nevertheless, I would still like to know your opinion. I have created a short poll on the topic and I invite you to submit your opinion: CMAS Opinion Poll. This is not a scientific poll, by any means, but I am interested in knowing how our community feels about this issue.
Regardless of the outcome of the bill, the thinking behind both pro and con positions should be acknowledged and acted upon in some manner, whether we move forward with CMAS or not. If we make the decision to NOT move forward, then schools and districts should try and capture some sort of information that can be shared with the community on student progress. And if we DO move forward with testing, I would hope that the state would acknowledge the huge challenges this poses and work to address these concerns.
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COVID-19 vaccination update
On Friday, Governor Polis provided an update about the State's efforts to vaccinate Coloradans. During the press conference, he shared that 90% of our highest-risk, frontline health care workers have received both doses of the vaccine. 100% of skilled nursing facilities have received their first dose and 71% have received their second dose. 90% of moderate risk health care workers and first responders have received their first dose, and 34% of Coloradans ages 70 and over have received their first dose.
The Governor also provided an update to Colorado’s COVID-19 vaccine prioritization list. The main updates are:
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Phase 1B will now be known as Phase 1B1, which is where we are right now. This includes Coloradans 70 and older, as well as moderate risk health care workers and first responders.
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Phase 1B2 includes Coloradans ages 65-69, as well as PreK-12 educators and child care workers in licensed programs. They will be eligible to receive a vaccine beginning on February 8th.
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Phase 1B3 includes frontline essential workers and Coloradans ages 16-64 with two or more high risk conditions. They will be eligible to receive a vaccine beginning in early March. The State estimates vaccinations will begin for this group by March 5th.
How will they be able to sign up to get vaccinated:
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Coloradans 65-69 can sign up with a local provider to schedule an appointment and they can find the closest to them by going to COCOVIDVACCINE.org. Just like Coloradans 70 and older do right now.
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PreK-12 educators and child care workers in licensed programs, should work with their employers. Employers are coordinating with local public health agencies and providers.
The State will provide more information for front line essential workers in the coming weeks. Anyone looking for more information can visit COCOVIDVACCINE.org or call 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926).
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Joint Transportation Committee SMART Act Hearing
Last week I participated in the SMART Act hearing for the Transportation component of the Transportation and Energy Committee. We heard from a variety of transportation agencies and key partners, and here are links to their presentations:
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Presentation from the Colorado Department of Transportation, presented by Shoshana M. Lew, Executive Director of CDOT, Stephen Harrelson, Chief Engineer, and Karen Stuart, Chair of the Colorado Transportation Commission. (Note: the file was too big, therefore the link will take you to the department's webpage.)
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E-470 Presentation by Chaz Tedesco, Board Chair and Adams County Commissioner, and Tim Stewart, Executive Director.
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Unemployment system update
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment unemployment system has largely been offline due to a massive update to the system. Last week, they issued a press release on the upcoming rollout of the extended pandemic benefits program as a result of the Continued Assistance Act signed into law last month by Congress.
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On Monday... I participated in the JBC Education Supplemental Hearing... I hosted a meeting with education stakeholders... I met with a group of AAUP faculty... I attended the Great Education Legislative Preview... I was interviewed by Alex Burness of the Denver Post... On Tuesday... I attended the Transportation Summit sponsored by Colorado Concern... I was interviewed by local Allen Best of Big Pivots... I was a panelist for the Colorado Commission of Higher Education governing boards convening... I attended an E-470 presentation... On Wednesday... I attended a stakeholder meeting with member of the Colorado Department of Human Services on Foster Youth... I attended a COVID update for local governments officials... I attended the Transportation SMART Act Hearing... I was interviewed by Jenny Brundin of Colorado Public Radio... On Thursday... I attended a meeting with stakeholders on behalf of Alliance Colorado... I attended the CHFA board of directors meeting... I met with representatives of Occidental... I participated on a panel discussion with TeachPlus... On Friday... I met with a representative of Support Jeffco Kids... I had a meeting with a representative of Mendez Barkis and Associates... I met with State Board of Education member Karla Esser... I was interviewed by Erica Meltzer of Chalkbeat... I attended the Governor's briefing on changes to the vaccination program in Colorado... I had a meeting with a representative of Planned Parenthood... I had a meeting with a representative of the Governor's office on Education Policy. |
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Next Legislative Town Hall Meeting: Saturday, February 20 at 10:30 am |
Mark your calendar for our next virtual town hall meeting! We will be presenting a legislative preview and giving an overview of the legislative process. We will cover topics such as how a bill becomes a law, what bills we plan to carry, and how you can participate.
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About Senator Rachel Zenzinger |
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Rachel Zenzinger was re-elected to a second term in the Colorado State Senate, representing District 19, in November 2020. Previously she served on the Arvada City Council.
Senator Zenzinger is the Chair of the Senate Education Committee, Vice Chair of the Statutory Revision Committee, and a member of the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee.
200 East Colfax, Denver, CO 80203
SenatorRachelZ@gmail.com
303-866-4840 office
303-748-0770 cell
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