Why The Need for A+ Denver
Denver Public Schools has caught the eye of national observers. Public Impact, the Center for Reinventing Public Education, and the Aspen Institute have all publicly acknowledged the district’s gains—including double digit improvements in graduation rates and steadily increasing student achievement over a six year period. A slew of national foundations (such as Bill & Melinda Gates, Wallace, Hewlett, Broad, and Dell) have also invested in initiatives ranging from teacher evaluations to leadership academies. Compared to many other urban districts like Chicago and Los Angeles—where politics and flawed implementation have impeded progress—Denver appears to have cracked part of the code.
However, we believe that the key to making further progress is acknowledging that many of the statistics that are used as proof of our success are based on district wide averages. For example, the average graduation rate has increased; the average ACT score has gone up; and the average percentage of students proficient in reading, writing, and math has increased. These are all improvements worth celebrating.
Yet the full story is much more complicated. Overall, both low-income and non-low income students are making progress in most areas. However, low-income are making very little or no progress. For example, low-income students scored an average of 16 on the ACT from 2009 to 2013 while non-low income students improved from 20 to 21.
Low-income students in DPS continue to attend the worst schools, comprising 91 percent of enrollment in the 10 lowest performing schools in DPS. More than half have already fallen off the college track by 5th grade. By their junior year in high school, only one in five is prepared for college. Most low-income students enter the district unprepared to succeed, falling farther and farther behind their wealthier peers the longer they stay in failing schools.
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Denver's vitality and economic success depend on improving our public schools. This can only be achieved through community-wide support and with a long-term view and commitment, outlasting any one school board or school administration.