Denver Public School teachers will get diversity training. Curriculum will be culturally relevant to students. And report cards will be available in a student’s native language.
As for closing high school campuses at lunch, it’s still undecided.
The DPS Board of Education pored through the latest version of the Denver Plan on Thursday but took no action on the sweeping reform document that, among other things, calls for changes in school days, the administration and professional development for teachers.
“I’m a holistic thinker, and I don’t think we can parse out any one part of the plan and say, ‘This is more important,”‘ said board member Jill Conrad. “I want to make sure that we can open up school next fall and this will be a whole new place to learn for kids.”
Superintendent Michael Bennet presented a new version of the 85-page document to the board after literally hundreds of people – including a committee made up of principals and teachers – weighed in over the past three weeks.
Among the changes:
Teachers will have culturally relevant materials and be culturally aware instructors.
This comes after some prominent leaders in the African-American and Latino communities said the plan should be more inclusive.
One paid parent advocate will be assigned to each of eight “Instructional Support Teams.” These teams will be composed of experts in math, reading and English-language acquisition and will be assigned to a set of schools.
Only middle-school students and freshmen would have to double the amount of math and reading classes they take when they are below grade-level.
Bennet softened his original proposal, which included sophomores, because he worried about finding that many new math teachers.
A plan to close high school campuses at lunch is unresolved. Many school leaders are worried about cafeteria space, and students spoke out against the idea. Bennet told board members Thursday that he wanted more time to work with high school principals.
Chief academic officer Jaime Aquino told the board members that there “is a sense of urgency” with the plan. “In my opinion, we should be moving faster.”
Board members will eventually vote only on the “policy” parts of the Denver Plan. This includes changing graduation requirements, giving principals raises based on academic performance, and creating a summer school.
“I think it was useful for us to finally get the feedback, ” said board member Michelle Moss. “I think we’re going to need more of these (meetings).”
Staff writer Allison Sherry can be reached at 303-820-1377 or asherry@denverpost.com.
