There are 181 school districts in Colorado, which support 1,825 schools. There were 855,482 students enrolled in K-12 public schools in the 2021-2022 school year. Approximately 37% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. Colorado has no policies that specifically address school climate. However, there are policies addressing the different aspects of school climate such as but not limited to bullying prevention, emergency plans, firearm safety, social-emotional learning, character education, suicide prevention, anti-discrimination, and media literacy. In 2019, a K-5 social-emotional health program was implemented for elementary schools with high poverty and high need students to determine the impact of mental health professionals. The Native American language and culture instruction policy allows for a school board to grant educational credit to the successful completion of Native American language coursework for a federally recognized tribe language.
Safety
There is currently no policy surrounding School Climate in Colorado. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center
Defines the terms bullying and behaviors associated with bullying
- Colorado Revised Statutes 22-32-109.1. Board of education – specific powers and duties – safe school plan – conduct and discipline code – safe school reporting requirements – school response framework – school resource officers – definitions – repeal.
Colorado asks schools to develop and implement procedures to prevent bullying and harassment behavior and the consequences of such behavior. Policies also explain that procedures are needed reviewing and updating.
- Colorado Revised Statutes 22-2-144. Bullying prevention and education policies – short title – study.
- Colorado Revised Statutes 22-93-106 – School bullying prevention and education – availability of best practices and other resources.
- Colorado Revised Statutes 22-32-109.1. Board of education – specific powers and duties – safe school plan – conduct and discipline code – safe school reporting requirements – school response framework – school resource officers – definitions – repeal.
Who does this protect? Students, Teachers
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes
Colorado schools need to develop plans for dealing with emergencies and explain drills that need to take place during the school year.
- Colorado Revised Statutes 24-33.5-1213.4. School all-hazard emergency planning and response.
- Colorado Revised Statutes 22-32-109.1. Board of education – specific powers and duties – safe school plan – conduct and discipline code – safe school reporting requirements – school response framework – school resource officers – definitions – repeal.
Colorado Revised Statutes 24-33.5-1803. School safety resource center – created – duties.
The school safety resource center will assist schools in preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and crises and foster positive learning environments.
Colorado Revised Statutes 22-32-146 – School use of on-site peace officers as school resource officers.
Describes the duties of peace officers when working on school property or school-related activities.
Colorado Revised Statutes 16-2.5-101 – Peace officer – description – general authority.
A peace officer certified by the training board shall have the authority to carry firearms at all times, concealed or otherwise, subject to the written firearms policy created by the agency employing the peace officer.
Colorado Revised Statutes Section 18-12-105.5 – Unlawfully carrying a weapon – unlawful possession of weapons – school, college, or university grounds.
Students, teachers, and other school employees are not allowed to possess or carry weapons or firearms on school property.
Who does this protect? Students, Staff
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes
Teaching/Learning
Colorado provides students with disabilities the accommodations and resources they need to have an appropriate education.
- Colorado Revised Statutes 22-20-106 – [Effective Until 7/1/2024] Special education programs – early intervening services – rules.
- Colorado Revised Statutes 22-20-108 – Determination of disability – enrollment.
- Colorado Revised Statutes 22-20-107.5 – District of residence of a child with a disability – jurisdiction.
- Colorado Revised Statutes 22-20-204 – Gifted education – program plans – implementation – qualified personnel – local advisory committees.
- Colorado Revised Statutes 22-20-204.3 – Identification of gifted children – advanced learning plans – creation – rules.
Colorado Revised Statutes 22-24-102 – Legislative declaration.
Local education providers must provide evidence-based English language proficiency programs for English language learners to enable them to develop and acquire English language proficiency while achieving and maintaining grade-level performance in academic content areas.
Who does this protect? Students, Students with disabilities, ELL students
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes
Interpersonal Relationships
Colorado Revised Statutes 22-32-109. Board of education – specific duties.
The schools in the district are subject to all federal and state laws and constitutional provisions prohibiting discrimination based on disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services.
Colorado Revised Statutes 22-32-145 – Native American language and culture instruction – general credit.
A school district board of education may adopt a policy to grant general education or world language credit for the successful completion of Native American language coursework for languages of federally recognized tribes.
Who does this protect? Students, Students with disabilities, students from marginalized groups, staff
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No
Institutional Environments
Colorado Revised Statutes 22-32-142 – Parent engagement – policy – communications – incentives.
Each school district board of education shall adopt a district policy for increasing and supporting parent engagement in the public schools, including charter schools, of the school district.
Colorado Revised Statutes 22-7-304 – Council – advisory duties – technical assistance – report.
Lists several different best practices and strategies for increasing and supporting parent engagement.
Colorado Revised Statutes 22-11-302. School district accountability committee – powers and duties.
The committee’s activities to increase parent engagement must include, but need not be limited to;
- Publicizing opportunities to serve and soliciting parents to serve on the school district accountability committee and school accountability committees.
- Assist the school district in implementing the parent engagement policy adopted by the local school board.
Colorado Revised Statutes 22-7-302. Definitions.
Describes what the national standard for family-school partnerships looks like based on research.
Who does this protect? Students, Parents
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes
Colorado schools need to develop plans for dealing with emergencies and explain drills that need to take place during the school year.
- Colorado Revised Statutes 24-33.5-1213.4. School all-hazard emergency planning and response.
- Colorado Revised Statutes 22-32-109.1. Board of education – specific powers and duties – safe school plan – conduct and discipline code – safe school reporting requirements – school response framework – school resource officers – definitions – repeal.
Colorado Revised Statutes 24-33.5-1803. School safety resource center – created – duties.
The school safety resource center will assist schools in preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and crises and foster positive learning environments.
Colorado Revised Statutes 22-32-146 – School use of on-site peace officers as school resource officers.
Describes the duties of peace officers when working on school property or school-related activities.
Colorado Revised Statutes 16-2.5-101 – Peace officer – description – general authority.
A peace officer certified by the peace officers standards and training board shall have the authority to carry firearms at all times, concealed or otherwise, subject to the written firearms policy created by the agency employing the peace officer.
Colorado Revised Statutes Section 18-12-105.5 – Unlawfully carrying a weapon – unlawful possession of weapons – school, college, or university grounds.
Students, teachers, and other school employees are not allowed to possess or carry weapons or firearms on school property.
Who does this protect? Students, Staff
Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No
Social Media
There is currently no policy surrounding Leadership in Colorado. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School
There is currently no policy surrounding Professional Relationships in Colorado. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School