Denver principals were welcomed back to work today at the annual Principals Institute at the Convention Center with a message of urgency.
“We have every bit of confidence in those in the room that this is the year we will see extraordinary gains,” said Superintendent Michael Bennet.
At least 350 principals, vice principals and administrators from the district’s 151 schools are gathered at the workshop that continues through Tuesday to get inspiration, learn about curriculum and district changes, and hear from the district’s top brass.
School starts Aug. 20 for most students. About 1,500 ninth-graders already have started in academies at 11 sites.
The Principal Institute comes a week after results from the 11th annual Colorado Student Assessment Program were released, showing scores for Denver students dropped or were flat compared with 2006.
The lack of progress disappoints district leaders, who hoped scores would improve a year after changes under Bennet’s ambitious school reform, called the Denver Plan.
“Before the scores came out, I said my greatest fear was that the scores would go down,” said Jaime Aquino, chief academic officer.
His fears were realized. The 2007 CSAP showed some disturbing results:
Aquino and Bennet worried that the drop would make teachers and administrators who have been working hard on making changes feel defeated.
“My fear is that people wouldn’t believe in the direction of the district,” Aquino said. “This year, we need to get results.”
Aquino said this year’s curriculum will be largely the same as last year, in the hopes that implementation of the Denver Plan will begin working and students will begin progressing academically.
“You have to give your best and put your best forward,” he said to the crowd that had just watched an inspirational video. “Pass it on — your belief that we are moving in the right direction. We would be morally wrong if we didn’t do it for these kids.”
Staff writer Jeremy P. Meyer may be reached at 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com.
