While the current board appears marginally more open to innovation than its predecessor, the administration of Superintendent Alex Marrero still seems hostile to the concept, and could continue chipping away at autonomies and funding mechanisms that make a zone viable.
Denver innovation zones are an endangered species Read More »
In years past, school leaders could rate Marrero and other senior leaders on a series of Likert Scale questions. For example: “Overall is an effective leader.” “Is a person whom I trust.” “Models the DPS values.” “Is reflective, open to and grows from feedback.” That opportunity has vanished into thin air.
Manage like an ostrich: Marrero eliminates principal feedback on his leadership Read More »
The bill is guilty of such laughable overreach that it seems all but certain to die in committee. But no one should rest easy until and unless this actually occurs.
Anti-charter-school bill is ludicrous in its overreach Read More »
Large numbers of students in upper elementary, middle school, and high school lack reading proficiency and, if current trends continue, are never going to catch up.
Colorado’s persistent reading crisis: “Do not look away.” Read More »
I fear that as long as board members with Esserman’s outlook continue to drive the agenda in urban schools, student success that reaches across all demographic groups will remain elusive. It’s hard to fix what you refuse to measure.
Gutting accountability hides the truth, doesn’t improve learning Read More »
More than 2,200 new students have arrived since the start of the school year. DPS has been planning for slow, steady enrollment declines for the foreseeable future, and this throws planning into disarray. There’s no way to know how long the influx will continue, how many of the new arrivals will stay, or for how long.
DPS deserves kudos for handling of migrant student influx Read More »
As we begin a new year, I am pleased to announce two new op-ed columnists, Alexis Menocal Harrigan and Aaron Massey, each of whom will be contributing monthly to Boardhawk.
Introducing two new, monthly Boardhawk columnists Read More »
Last Thursday’s unfortunate action by the holdover board members delays the return of meaningful accountability to the leadership of DPS. And, as usual, it is the city’s children who will pay the price.
DPS board’s old guard pushes through weak superintendent evaluation measures Read More »
While it’s not unusual for newly elected officials to want to make a mark, in this case doing so is essential to begin restoring confidence in a school district that has lost the trust of its community.
A breath of fresh air: Here are some quick wins for new Denver school board Read More »
It has been a rough two years for DPS, led by an inept and dysfunctional school board that could not get out of its own way. The three new members who will be joining the board later this month – Kimberlee Sia, Marlene De La Rosa, and John Youngquist – bring a wealth of relevant experience and steady hands to a thankless job.
After Tuesday, there’s cause for optimism about DPS’s future Read More »
