A Plus Denver - Denver Public Schools working with the Community

The dismal picture of Denver Public Schools painted by a Colorado Children's Campaign report should be a "clarion call to the broader community," said Federico Peña, former mayor and chairman of the citizen's panel that advises the district.

Report: DPS performance 'unacceptable on all levels'

June 15, 2009, Jeremy Meyer, Denver Post

Local education-related agencies today released a report illustrating in stark terms what they see as the trouble with Denver schools. The report draws conclusions they say should be used as a "rallying cry of everybody in Denver" to demand reforms.

Report Cites DPS Challenges, Reforms

June 15, 2009, Nancy Mitchell, EdNewsColorado

A report issued Monday declaring student achievement in Denver Public Schools to be "unacceptable by all measures" is intended to serve as a rallying cry for the community in what one civic leader described as a "new war" to improve public education.

Denver Public Schools Flunk Equity

June 15, 2009, Wash Park Prophet

While hardly remarkable for an inner city public school system, the Denver Public Schools still persistently fail to bridge socio-economic gaps among their students.

Report: DPS Failing Kids

June 15, 2009, Peter Marcus, Denver Daily News

The overall Denver Public Schools system is failing students, according to an independent report released yesterday. The sobering, at times frightening report, compiled by the Colorado Children’s Campaign, along with support from Metro Organizations for People and A+ Denver, states that current achievement levels are “unacceptable.”

DPS Report, Media Release

June 15, 2009

Teachers, DPS air contract differences

June 06, 2008, Jeremy Meyer

Two sides warring over a contract for Denver's teachers took their arguments to a neutral citizens panel Thursday morning, laying out their differences on the district's compensation system.

DPS Pensions 'lopsided'

March 18, 2008, Nancy Mitchell

Denver Public Schools' pension plan not only costs the district $800 more per student than other Colorado school district pension plans, according to a new report, it is "lopsided" and ill-designed to attract top teachers.

Denver school-closure plan due Oct. 2

August 24, 2007, Jeremy P. Meyer

Denver residents will learn Oct. 2 which schools will be recommended for closing as Denver Public Schools looks for ways to save money and boost student achievement, district officials said Monday.

DPS sets timeline for list of potential school closures

August 14, 2007, Nancy Mitchell

Denver Public Schools leaders are planning to release on Oct. 2 a list of potential school closures, giving school board members six weeks to weigh the proposal before a final vote in mid-November.

DPS Could ask voters to OK additional tax of $24 million

June 29, 2007, Nancy Mitchell, Rocky Mountain News

Denver Public Schools leaders discovered this week they have another option to bring in more operating dollars - a tax increase.

Citizens' panel questions DPS planning

June 20, 2007, Nancy Mitchell, Rocky Mountain News

A citizens' panel studying the possible closure of some Denver Public Schools wrapped up its work today on recommendations to DPS leaders, but no names of schools targeted for closure were included.

DPS braces for huge school closures

June 04, 2007, Allison Sherry, Denver Post

aced with dozens of half-empty buildings and low-performing schools, DPS officials are bracing for what could be the largest school closure in the city's history.

Analysis: Both sides right in DPS pension debate

David Milstead - Education News Colorado

DPS pension board rejects plan for funding as criticism mounts

By David Milstead, Rocky Mountain News

The Denver Public Schools pension board has rejected a J.P. Morgan proposal to shore up its funding, just as a citizens group is pressuring the district to cut its annual retirement costs.

UP AND DOWN 17TH: No gold star for DPS in $80 million error

David Milstead, Rocky Mountain News, June 27, 2007

Remember when your math teacher told you to go back and double- check your work? There are a lot of math teachers relying on a Denver Public Schools pension who wish they'd had a chance to say that to the people in charge of their retirement. We told you in Monday's paper how the DPS pension has gone from being fully funded to nearly $400 million in the hole through a combination of poor investment returns, higher benefits and underfunding.

Pension debt huge threat to DPS budget

Nancy Mitchell, David Milstead, Rocky Mountain News, June 25, 2007

A Rocky analysis of Denver Public Schools' retirees fund found atangled tale that includes an $80 million accounting error anddecisions to put short-term gains ahead of long-term financialstability.Today, though, the bill has come due.

Rocky Mnt. News - Leaving to Learn

Nancy Mitchell, Burt Hubbard, April 16, 2007

An estimated 15,700 students bypassed Denver Public Schools last year in favor of private or suburban schools they see as safer or academically superior...

Countdown to Closures

Rocky Mountain News Editorial

Denver civic group is facing up to unused schools

Leaving to Learn - DPS Response

Denver Public School Superintendent Michael Bennet and the Denver School Board

The Rocky Mountain News series, "Leaving to Learn," tells a painful and accurate story about the state of our school district. It is hard to admit, but it is abundantly clear that we will fail the vast majority of children in Denver if we try to run our schools the same old way.

A+ Denver Meeting with School Board

CBS 4 - Anna Alejo

Important lessons emerge from stories

Mary Gittings Cronin

Since its inception 31 years ago, The Piton Foundation has believed in the power of data to drive meaningful change. For that reason, when the Rocky Mountain News approached us several months ago about collaborating with the newspaper and Denver Public Schools on a series about the impact of school choice on DPS, we were pleased to offer the expertise of our research and education staffs.

'Old Way' No Longer Enough

Nancy Mitchell

Denver Public Schools leaders on Wednesday joined a growing chorus of voices saying the school district is broken and radical reform is needed.

Our Turn on DPS

Rocky Mountain News Editorial 4-28-07

If you've read this newspaper's Leaving to Learn series, followed by the response of Denver school officials and then the teachers association, you may have found yourself with the same reaction we had: These guys have got to get on the same page. Soon.

Let DPS Take Charge of Its Destiny

Sen. Peter Groff

The column in the April 25 Rocky Mountain News, written by the Denver Public Schools’ superintendent and board members, acknowledges that we can’t operate an effective and innovative Denver public school system using the antiquated methods of the early 20th century.

Let's Work Together for the Sake of the Children

Kim Ursetta - Denver Classroom Teachers' Association

Public school choice is alive and well in the Denver Public Schools as the Rocky Mountain News has reported in its "Leaving to Learn" series. Denver parents have more choices than most Americans, and Colorado has worked to expand those choices through charter schools, magnet schools and open enrollment.

DPS must act openly, efficiently on closures

Denver Post Editorial - 4-30-07

It's inevitable Denver will need to close some of its schools. DPS needs to be honest with parents, staff and students, and can't let the process drag on.

Officials Discuss DPS Train Wreck

Peter Marcus

Delay school closing vote, panel urges

Nancy Mitchell

A citizens panel recommending the closing of some Denver Public Schools wants to delay a school board vote until at least November, which could push the controversial decision into the election spotlight.

City officials want to talk school closures

Nelson Garcia

When Principal Dan Villescas walks around Del Pueblo Elementary, he sees empty classrooms, empty hallways, and a building destined to be shutdown. "The writing's on the wall. We're looking at closure," said Villescas.

Public Input Sought on DPS moves

Denver post

The first of five public meetings to discuss criteria for closing or changing some Denver schools is scheduled for tonight.

A+ Denver is a project of the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center