Our Path Forward

Welcome to our district's vision for the future, where strategic planning, rigorous monitoring, accountability, and transparency converge to drive excellence in education. Our path forward is guided by a comprehensive strategic plan designed to meet the highest standards of international and state of Colorado accreditation. We are committed to fostering an environment of continuous improvement, where every action is aligned with our mission to provide exceptional educational opportunities. Through active monitoring and a steadfast dedication to accountability, we ensure that our progress is transparent and measurable, paving the way for a thriving academic community and successful student outcomes.

TRANSPARENCY

GUIDING
   CCCounsel Meeting 2024
Portrait of an Adams 14 Graduate
Professional Development Plan
State of the District
Strategic Plan
Unified Improvement Plan

DATA TRACKING
  Data Dashboad

REAL-TIME REFLECTIONS
State Review Panel Focus Groups

DISTRICT ACCREDITATION

Our district is proud to be accredited by both Cognia and the state of Colorado, ensuring that our educational standards meet rigorous benchmarks recognized statewide, nationally, and internationally. This dual accreditation underscores our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, providing our students with an education that is respected and valued across various platforms. At Adams 14, our students benefit from a curriculum and learning environment that prepares them to succeed in a global society, ensuring their achievements are acknowledged and celebrated far beyond our district borders.

COGNIA INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION

Accreditation from Cognia is a valuable mark of distinction recognized around the world. Each year, Cognia identifies schools and systems that best exemplify excellence in education and stand out in their service to learners, based on the results of a rigorous accreditation process.

Accreditation isn’t about passing a one-time inspection. It is an ongoing process that ensures school districts, like Adams 14, meet improvement goals and sustain commitments to better learner outcomes.

Adams 14 Cognia Accreditation Reports

Cognia International Accreditation Registry

COLORADO ACCREDITATION

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is responsible for annually accrediting all school districts in the state. Accreditation contracts have a term of one year.

Adams 14 State of Colorado Accreditation

ACCREDITATION PRESS RELEASES

ADAMS 14 APPLIES FOR INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ADAMS 14 APPLIES FOR COGNIA SYSTEM ACCREDITATION

Oct. 11, 2022, COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Adams County School District 14 (Adams 14) announced today that it has applied for system accreditation by Cognia™, the largest global nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers.

Cognia, formerly AdvancED, recognizes school districts that meet rigorous standards, which focus on productive learning environments, a culture of learning that meets the needs of all learners, and effective leadership. Earning accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission means that the system and all of its schools would be accredited, and that Adams 14 would be recognized across the nation and around the world as a school system that meets Cognia Standards and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement.

“Systems accreditation as conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission would provide Adams 14 a nationally recognized mark of quality for our school system and each school within our system,” said Adams 14 Superintendent Dr. Karla Loría. “It demonstrates to our community our commitment to excellence, our openness to external review and feedback, and our desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we serve.”

To earn accreditation from Cognia, a school district must also implement a continuous process of improvement and submit to internal and external review. School systems in good standing can maintain their accreditation for a six-year term.

Cognia Deputy Chief Accreditation Officer Dr. David Hurst stated, “Cognia Systems Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school system and its community on the primary goal of preparing lifelong learners in engaging environments where all students can flourish.”

Cognia is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Parents and interested community members can learn more about the Cognia Accreditation at cognia.org.

ADAMS 14 RECEIVES CANDIDACY

NEWS RELEASE

ADAMS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 14 RECEIVES CANDIDACY FOR ACCREDITATION WITH COGNIA

March 17, 2023, COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – Adams County School District 14 (Adams 14) is pleased to announce that it was approved on Wednesday to become a candidate for systems accreditation by Cognia™, the largest global nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers.

The district first applied for candidacy in October 2022 as a way for Adams 14 to be recognized across the nation and around the world as a school system that meets Cognia Standards and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement. Adams 14 will now undergo an accreditation engagement review which can take 6 to 24 months before approval for accreditation.

To earn accreditation from Cognia, a school district must also implement a continuous process of improvement and submit it to internal and external review. School systems in good standing can maintain their accreditation for a six-year term.

Cognia is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Parents and interested community members can learn more about the Cognia Accreditation at cognia.org.

ADAMS 14 AWARDED INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Transforming Education, Learning, and Lives:
Adams 14 Earns Prestigious Cognia Global Accreditation

Commerce City, CO – April 12, 2024 – Adams County School District 14 has earned Cognia® Accreditation. Cognia is an international nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers.

Cognia, formerly AdvancED, nationally recognizes districts that meet rigorous standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation that meets the needs of learners, and effective leadership. Earning accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission means that a school district is internationally accredited, and that Adams 14 is now recognized across the nation and globally as a district that meets Cognia Performance Standards and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement.

“School accreditation as conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission provides Adams 14 a nationally recognized mark of quality for our schools,” shared Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Karla Loría. “It demonstrates to our community our commitment to excellence, our openness to external review and feedback, and our desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we serve.”

To earn Cognia accreditation, a school district also must implement a continuous process of improvement and submit to internal and external review. School districts in good standing can maintain their accreditation for a six-year term.

Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia, stated, “Cognia is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school and its community on the primary goal of preparing lifelong learners in engaging environments, where all students can flourish. The Adams 14 community is to be commended for demonstrating that it has met high standards and is making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.”

Cognia is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Parents and interested community members can learn more about Cognia Accreditation at cognia.org

“I can't begin to convey how much the Cognia accreditation means to our community. The increased opportunities and competitive edge that this global accreditation provides our students and staff is nothing short of incredible. It also reinforces the power, impact, and intention of local control. Our board can now decide what is best for our students and staff without the constant worry of punitive state sanctions being put forth against the district. The review process was a lot of work, but I appreciate that it was student-centered and based on clear performance standards. I'd like to extend a special thank you to our superintendent and her team for all the work that was put into preparing for this review," expressed Renee Lovato, President of the Adams 14 Board of Education.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Whenever we embark on an expedition or forge a new path forward, it is critical to have a strategic plan that outlines the path we will follow and help us navigate through changing environments and evolving educational landscapes. The Adams County School District 14 Five Year Strategic Plan was designed as that guide.

In a world shaped by the winds of change and the seismic shifts of progress, this strategic plan stands as a cairn, guiding us towards elevating the K-12 educational experience. With unwavering resolve, we set forth to equip our students with the tools, wisdom, and character to navigate life's peaks and valleys, fostering a community of learners poised to make their mark.

Our vision for educational excellence unfolds across the peaks and valleys of several strategic cairns or ends established by the Board of Education.

OUR NORTH-STAR

All Adams 14 students experience high quality instructional programming and aligned student support systems.

OUR VISION

Adams 14 students graduate empowered, inspired, and equipped to be who they want to be.

OUR MISSION

Inspire. Educate. Empower.

STRATEGIC GOALS

1 Students experience high-quality instructional programming and aligned student support systems.

One hundred percent of Adams 14 students will engage in social emotional learning and receive the wrap-around supports needed to increase average student attendance, sense of belonging, and ability to identify a trusted adult at school.

Ninety percent of Adams 14 students will show typical or high growth from spring to spring for returning students, and fall to spring for new students, across English Language Arts, Spanish Language Arts and Math.

Thirty percent of 3rd-8th grade Adams 14 students will meet or exceed expectations in math, with performance gaps between students with and without IEPs decreasing by 30% from June 2023.

Thirty five percent of 3rd-8th grade Adams 14 students will meet or exceed expectations in literacy, with performance gaps between students with and without IEPs decreasing by 30% from June 2023.

2 Adams 14 recruits, retains, and supports high-quality professionals.

Adams 14 will be at least 95% staffed with certified, highly-effective teachers and principals on the first day of each semester, with an increase in the proportion of Spanish-speaking educators and leaders.

Adams 14 will be at least 95% staffed with certified, highly-effective special education teachers on the first day of each semester, 95% staffed with highly-effective special education paraprofessionals, and 100% staffed with certified, highly-effective Service Providers on the first day of each semester.

Adams 14 will retain 90% of effective and highly-effective teachers, administrators, and classified staff, with less than 5% disparity between staff demographic groups

3a Adams14 Staff continuously interrogates and improves upon equity-centered policies and daily practices

One hundred percent of Adams 14 educators will report that they have access to a) the information they need to understand their students’ strengths and needs, and b) the resources and training they need to ensure all students experience academic success.

Adams 14 will have proof of efficient data systems and clear communication processes across all departments and levels of the district that make policies and daily practices visible, and ultimately more equitable.

3b Adams 14 cultivates an asset-based culture of trust and high expectations.

Having engaged a critical mass, at least 80% of all students, families, staff, community and partners will report that Adams 14 is providing a high-quality educational experience.

Having engaged a critical mass, 75% percent of community stakeholder participants will feel that they are engaged and informed transparently throughout major district processes and decisions through predictable structures that sustain a high level of trust and two-way communication.

4 Adams 14 will manage resources to remain fiscally solvent, and emotionally and educationally responsive to our staff and student needs.

Adams 14 will have a fund balance that exceeds 10% of the operational budget while being able to meet all fiscal needs of the district. All Adams 14 schools will fully implement access control, video recording, and safety and security strategies for checking all visitors into the schools.

Adams 14 educational facilities will be at 70% capacity or better with fewer than 1% in disruptions due to core mechanical failures

The organizational chart and job descriptions will be aligned with building capacity, staffing ratios, and financial budget.