Co-hosted by the CU �鶹ӰԺ School of Education and the city’s largest independent bookshop, the �鶹ӰԺ Book Store, the festival will feature 10 award-winning authors. Two interactive author panels will be arranged by grade levels, including a morning session from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. for grades K-4 and an afternoon session from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. for grades 5-8. 

Both sessions are free and open to the public, and attendees should register at for one or both sessions to be held virtually on Zoom.

All Colorado registrants are offered a voucher for one free book, while supplies last, by the featured authors and will be available for pickup at the �鶹ӰԺ Book Store. The festival aims to build interest in acclaimed authors and books, particularly authors of color and books that represent diverse cultures. 

The 2021 featured authors and books include: 

• Sheila Modir and Jeffrey Kashou, authors of The Proudest Color,

• Yuyi Morales, author of Bright Star, Lucero in Spanish 

• Traci Sorell, author of We Are Still Here!: Native American Truths Everyone Should Know,

• Tricia Elam Walker, author of Dream Street, 

• Jane Yolen, author of the Leather Apron Club,

• Karla Arenas Valenti, author of Lotería, 

• Tracey Baptiste, author of African Icons, 

• Varian Johnson, author of Playing the Cards You’ve Dealt, and

• Jewell Parker Rhodes, author of Paradise on Fire

Festival attendees also benefit from the educational resources, such as book guides, digital book trailers, classroom projects and more, that have been created by CU �鶹ӰԺ education students and will be available for free download on the festival website.

This is the third annual Children’s Book Festival, and this year more than 500 books are set to be distributed for event attendees, teachers and throughout the community. Additionally, nine K-12 teachers and their classes were selected through an application process to participate in a personal visit with an author in a private Zoom session, and each teacher will receive a teaching book set.

“As longtime supporters and participants of the festival, we are deeply indebted for this opportunity,” said educator Michelle Pearson. “We have 33 students who will be reading with us and joining in the special author visit. They have this wonderful chance to read this special story, which connects to the west and the outdoors and heritage, and they will be creating art and online reflection projects. I am exceptionally thrilled and the kids will be too.” 

Research shows that connections with real authors and increased access to books are some of the most powerful ways to develop students as readers and writers, and it is important to engage parents and caregivers in these experiences.

As longtime supporters and participants of the festival, we are deeply indebted for this opportunity,” said educator Michelle Pearson. “We have 33 students who will be reading with us and joining in the special author visit. They have this wonderful chance to read this special story, which connects to the west and the outdoors and heritage, and they will be creating art and online reflection projects. I am exceptionally thrilled and the kids will be too.”

“In addition to connecting children and educators to amazing books and authors, the festival also involves preservice teachers enrolled in our Children’s Literature course in the creation of free book discussion guides, book trailers and author slideshows,” said Bridget Dalton, associate professor emerita of literacy studies in the School of Education and co-director of the Children’s Book Festival with Jackie Colt.

“Our CU �鶹ӰԺ students develop their curriculum design skills while supporting teachers in the field – an experience that they find quite meaningful. And, of course, they enjoy hearing from the authors in person on the webinar.” 

The festival is co-sponsored by the and the CU �鶹ӰԺ School of Education with support from a CU �鶹ӰԺ 2021-22 Outreach Award. The event is organized by a committee of dedicated volunteers that includes CU �鶹ӰԺ supporters, alumni, faculty and staff and �鶹ӰԺ Book Store staff in collaboration with community partners, including the CU �鶹ӰԺ Libraries, the Women Investing in the School of Education (WISE) board, St. Vrain Valley School District, �鶹ӰԺ Valley School District, Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Denver Public Schools, and the School of Education Development Advisory Board Outreach Committee. Many of the committee members, often teachers or former educators, have hand-delivered books and they carefully read and review each of the festival’s book selections.

“It's been fantastic to work with such a dedicated group of book lovers to put together this festival for the past three years,” said Stephanie Schindhelm, marketing and promotions manager for the �鶹ӰԺ Book Store. “We're delighted that we've been able to get so many wonderful authors for the festival this year.”

To learn more about the Children’s Book Festival authors, books and educational resources or to register, visit .

  Register for the 2021 Children's Book Festival

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Last week at the CU Men’s basketball Teacher Appreciation Day, six CU �鶹ӰԺ alumni and partner teachers received special recognition on the court during the halftime break. All six dedicated, local educators were nominated and honored by CU Athletics and the CU �鶹ӰԺ School of Education. Meet them here below and learn how they all bring equity into their classrooms.

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The CU �鶹ӰԺ School of Education and the Center for Assessment, Design, Research & Evaluation (CADRE) will host the third National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) Special Conference on Classroom Assessment from Sept. 18-19.

The gathering aims to foster dialogue between educators, policymakers and researchers around implementing principled approaches to developing and using classroom assessment for teaching and learning.

CADRE, based in CU �鶹ӰԺ's School of Education, serves as a central resource for expertise in assessment design, research and evaluation. CADRE researchers collaborate with university departments, state agencies, districts, schools and more to investigate the effects of programs on student learning and to improve upon assessment practices.

The is a professional organization with a diverse membership of over 1,400 individuals  including university faculty, state and federal testing and research directors, professional evaluators, testing specialists, credentialing professionals, and more.

In addition to the School of Education and CADRE, the conference will be hosted in partnership with the following organizations: , , , and the .

“Our School of Education has a rich history of leadership in the study of classroom assessment and educational policy. Over the years, we have developed strong partnerships with local districts to design assessments and address challenges together,” said Dean Kathy Schultz. “CADRE is in a key position to design and support this work."

We look forward to rich discussions among educators, district leaders, researchers, and policymakers who share collective interests in improving assessments and learning for our schools and students." — Dean Kathy Schultz

“We look forward to rich discussions among educators, district leaders, researchers, and policymakers who share collective interests in improving assessments and learning for our schools and students.”

This year’s conference theme, “Classroom Assessment as a Learning Experience,” addresses the importance of embedding assessments within curriculum and instruction. We invite you to join us in fostering and exploring discussions around how to create meaningful learning for both students and teachers. This year’s conference also emphasizes the importance and role of Research-Practice Partnerships between researchers and education practitioners to advance coherent approaches in the design and uses of assessment.

The conference is open to all education practitioners, policymakers and researchers who are interested in developing and using classroom assessment for teaching and learning.

CADRE invites educators, researchers and policymakers to submit a proposal for posters, presentation or sessions that will contribute to the theme of advancing classroom assessment as a learning experience for students and teachers.

Important Dates:

Proposals are due March 8 and registration opens on April 1.

Presenter notification email will arrive no later than May 30.

For more information, visit colorado.edu/cadre.

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