Colorado State Model Evaluation System
Colorado's state-provided teacher evaluation system organized around Quality Standards 1 through 4. The system was developed under Senate Bill 10-191 and requires that 50% of a teacher's evaluation be based on professional practices (observed and non-observed) and 50% on measures of student learning.
The Colorado State Model is organized into 4 domains, 17 criteria, and a 5-level rating scale.
Available as the state model for all Colorado school districts under SB 10-191.
Domains and Criteria
The Colorado State Model domains and criteria
Quality Standard 1: QUALITY STANDARD I
Teachers demonstrate mastery of and pedagogical expertise in the content they teach, making the discipline accessible and meaningful for all students.
IA: ELEMENT A: Teachers provide instruction that is aligned with the Colorado Academic Standards and their district's organized plan of instruction.
IB: ELEMENT B: Teachers develop and implement lessons that connect to a variety of content areas/disciplines and emphasize literacy and mathematical practices.
IC: ELEMENT C: Teachers demonstrate knowledge of the content, central concepts, inquiry, appropriate evidence-based instructional practices, and specialized characteristics of the disciplines being taught.
Quality Standard 2: QUALITY STANDARD II
Teachers establish a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment and facilitate learning for their students.
IIA: ELEMENT A: Teachers foster a predictable learning environment characterized by acceptable student behavior and efficient use of time in which each student has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults and peers.
IIB: ELEMENT B: Teachers demonstrate an awareness of, a commitment to, and a respect for multiple aspects of diversity, while working toward common goals as a community of learners.
IIC: ELEMENT C: Teachers engage students as individuals, including those with diverse needs and interests, across a range of ability levels by adapting their teaching for the benefit of all students.
IID: ELEMENT D: Teachers work collaboratively with the families and/or significant adults for the benefit of students.
Quality Standard 3: QUALITY STANDARD III
Teachers plan and deliver effective instruction, making content accessible for all students through a variety of strategies.
IIIA: ELEMENT A: Teachers demonstrate knowledge about the ways in which learning takes place, including the levels of intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of their students.
IIIB: ELEMENT B: Teachers use formal and informal methods to assess student learning, provide feedback, and use results to inform planning and instruction.
IIIC: ELEMENT C: Teachers integrate and utilize appropriate available technology to engage students in authentic learning experiences.
IIID: ELEMENT D: Teachers establish and communicate high expectations and use processes to support the development of critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
IIIE: ELEMENT E: Teachers provide students with opportunities to work in teams and develop leadership.
IIIF: ELEMENT F: Teachers model and promote effective communication.
Quality Standard 4: QUALITY STANDARD IV
Teachers demonstrate professionalism through ethical conduct, reflection, and leadership.
IVA: ELEMENT A: Teachers demonstrate high standards for professional conduct.
IVB: ELEMENT B: Teachers link professional growth to their professional goals.
IVC: ELEMENT C: Teachers respond to a complex, dynamic environment.
IVD: ELEMENT D: Teachers demonstrate leadership in the school, the community, and the teaching profession.
Rating Levels
Colorado State Model rating levels
Level 1 Practices
Level 2 Practices
Level 3 Practices
(Meets State Standard)
Level 4 Practices
Level 5 Practices
Source
Official Colorado State Model source
Source: Colorado Department of Education, EnumeratedCOTeacherRubric2018-19Final.pdf (2018-19). Verified 2026-06-01. View the official rubric
Rubric facts verified 2026-06-01 against the official source.
Giving feedback on the Colorado State Model
The slow part is the write-up
Aligning observation evidence to every Colorado State Model domain and standard by hand, for every teacher and every visit, is what eats a principal's week. Observation Copilot does that mapping for you.
How Observation Copilot Helps
AI-powered Colorado State Model feedback in seconds
Paste your observation notes. Copilot maps your evidence to the right Colorado State Model domains and drafts structured, rubric-aligned feedback - ready to review and share. Walkthrough notes return a focused single-indicator debrief; full lesson observations return a multi-domain rubric-aligned report.
- Organizes observation notes by the four Colorado Quality Standards
- Generates evidence-based feedback for each Quality Standard
- Maps evidence from your notes to specific Quality Standard elements
- Creates targeted next steps tied to specific Colorado standards
- Reduces post-observation write-up time for Colorado principals
Frequently Asked Questions
Colorado State Model FAQ
- What is the Colorado State Model Evaluation System?
- Colorado's statewide teacher evaluation rubric measuring professional practice across four Quality Standards (content mastery, learning environment, effective instruction, and professionalism) using five levels of performance (Level 1-5), where Level 3 meets the state standard.
- What are the domains of the Colorado State Model?
- The system is built around 4 Quality Standards: Quality Standard I (content and pedagogy), Quality Standard II (a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment), Quality Standard III (planning and delivering effective instruction), and Quality Standard IV (professionalism and leadership).
- How is the Colorado State Model scored?
- Performance is rated on a 5-level scale: Level 1 Practices, Level 2 Practices, Level 3 Practices (Meets State Standard), Level 4 Practices, and Level 5 Practices.
- What does CSMES stand for?
- CSMES stands for the Colorado State Model Evaluation System.
- Which version of the Colorado teacher rubric is current?
- The current rubric is the enumerated Colorado State Model Evaluation System teacher rubric (2018-19 edition), developed under Senate Bill 10-191 and verified against the Colorado Department of Education source on June 1, 2026.
Used In
States Using Colorado State Model
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