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CDE Leadership Learning Cohorts
CDE Leadership Learning Cohorts
What is a Learning Cohort?
A learning cohort is a group of district, BOCES, and school leaders that come together as a community that meets monthly during the school year to focus on a common educational goal.
Participants engage in highly interactive and collaborative sessions, share their unique context across the state, set goals, and implement strategies to spark systems change and drive improvement. Cohorts offer a dedicated space to think strategically, learn from peers, and test new approaches in a supportive environment.
If you're looking for a fresh perspective, practical tools, and lasting professional connections, a learning cohort may be the right fit for you.
What is the goal of a Leadership Learning Cohort?
The purpose of CDE Learning Cohorts is to bring together communities of school and district leaders to strengthen the conditions for success by shifting adult practice and driving systems-level change in order to improve student outcomes.
We believe meaningful student impact starts with supported, sustainable change at the leadership level.
What activities take place in Learning Cohort sessions?
Activities include resource sharing, district/school share-outs, site visits, bright spot visits, problem-solving protocols, CDE expert spotlights, and team time for short-cycle goal planning to support change management during implementation.
Who facilitates Learning Cohort sessions?
The District Improvement Strategy Office Team and partners across the Colorado Department of Education facilitate sessions. Various content experts will present during a topic spotlight or site visit.
Who Should Join?
We welcome leaders and changemakers from all educational settings, including current district, school, and BOCES leaders. We recommend a leadership team approach, though individuals are welcome.
A School Team may include the Principal, Assistant Principal, and additional staff who support this topic.
A District Team may include the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Executive Director, Director, Coordinator, and additional staff who support this topic.
How Often do Learning Cohorts Meet?
Cohorts meet monthly during the school year. Session dates vary by learning cohort and are posted on each specific learning cohort webpage.
What format are the sessions? Are they recorded?
Session formats vary by cohort between virtual and in-person. See specific cohort pages for details. Sessions are not recorded to foster a confidential space for open dialogue.
Do you provide travel reimbursement for in-person sessions?
Yes. Limited funds are available for travel reimbursements for sessions held more than 100 miles away from a participant's home.
Do you offer licensure credit for participating in the learning cohort?
Yes! Participants receive licensure credits for each session attended in a learning cohort. Simply check the box to receive credit as you complete each end-of-session survey.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until August 30, 2025.
CDE Learning Cohorts are open to school and district leaders currently employed as school, district, BOCES, or charter/private school leaders. If a cohort member would like to invite an external collaborator to join their leadership team in the cohort practitioner space, please contact our office, the District Improvement Strategy Office Team
See below for the individual learning cohort webpage links, which contain the application forms. Once an application is complete, you will receive an email with more information.
2025-2026 CDE Leadership Learning Cohorts
Bilingual Leadership
District and school leaders will collaborate to strengthen bilingual programs, expand Seal of Biliteracy pathways, and celebrate language as an asset. Participants will explore research-based strategies, share resources, and build systems to support biliteracy and student success.
Chronic Absenteeism Leadership
District and school leadership teams will collaborate statewide to address absenteeism, spotlight effective, research-driven engagement practices, and examine attendance data to monitor progress toward goals. New and returning participants are welcome.
Elementary English Language Arts (ELA) Leadership
School leaders will collaborate to sharpen instructional leadership and refine schoolwide ELA systems through participating in learning walks, shared problem solving, resource sharing, and implementation of high quality instructional materials (HQIM).
Rural Leadership
Rural district and school leaders will engage in virtual, relevant professional development, sharing resources, and research-based strategies to enhance rural education. Build a network focused on advancing educational outcomes in rural schools.
Leading New Educators
District and school leaders will collaborate to enhance support systems for non-traditional teachers. Best practices, resources, and strategies will be emphasized to foster growth and retention of alternative pathway educators.
Specialized: Highly Mobile Students Leadership
Grantees of the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) and the Educational Stability Grant (ESG) will strengthen their programs by collaborating with other grantees to share successful approaches and resources that enhance the educational stability of highly mobile students, fostering educational continuity and success.
Specialized: Instructional Coherence Leadership
District leaders will strengthen instructional coherence by exploring resources, professional development systems, and assessment practices to enhance student learning experiences throughout the district to support coherence and long-term success.
Financial information on schools and districts throughout Colorado. Learn more about financial transparency.
Colorado Dept. of Education
201 East Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-866-6600
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CDE Hours
Mon to Fri, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
See also Licensing Hours
UPDATED
June 17, 2025
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