Colorado school districts have overwhelmed the state Department of Education with their interest in participating in a state pilot program this fall for evaulating new teachers and principals.

"We thought we would be lucky to get 10 districts who were interested," said Ulcca Joshi Hansen, the department's associate director of educator effectiveness.

But by the end of June — the deadline for school districts to apply — 41 districts had asked to be part of the pilot program that will test a state-developed evaluation system.

Selected districts will be announced next month — a month later than expected.

The state originally budgeted for six to eight districts to participate, but given the interest, the state department is re-evaluating the budget and resources to see whether the program can be expanded.