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Podcast season 2 episode 13: Pat Donovan on the state of achievement, choice in DPS. Now, with video option!

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You can now listen and/or watch us on YouTube, also embedded in this article!

Our guest for this episode is Pat Donovan, who has been a leading Denver public-education advocate for many years.  He led the advocacy and funding organization RootED, held a top leadership position at its successor, Denver Families for Public Schools. He heads the board of Rocky Mountain Prep, one of Denver’s largest, homegrown charter school networks. He’s also a board member at the Colorado League of Charter Schools.

Donovan has a long perspective on a variety of trends in Denver Public Schools, including how well the district is preparing students for life after high school and the narrowing of school choice. We invited Pat on for a wide-ranging discussion on these and other DPS-related topics.

Podcast season 2 episode 13: Pat Donovan on the state of achievement, choice in DPS. Now, with video option! Read More »

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Podcast season 2, episode 12. Dialogue across differences: A conversation with Scott Esserman

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Boardhawk wanted former Denver school board member Scott Esserman on the podcast because we vigorously disagreed with him on a range of Denver Public Schools issues during his tenure, and wrote about him in a harshly critical tone on several occasions. At times the tone of those criticisms might have obscured the substantive differences in policy and philosophy that underlay them. Some of those disagreements include the performance of Superintendent Alex Marrero, whether DPS is headed n the right direction, Marrero’s contract extension, and school safety.

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A comic illustration titled "The Burden of Accountability" showing a woman with an apron reading "Teacher" carrying a boulder reading "Student Test Scores & Accountability." Below her is written, "Classroom Realities." In the background, two men labeled "Policymaker" and "Superintendent" are carrying briefcases reading "Gliding By."

In education, we are defining accountability too narrowly

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But while holding the right people accountable to the implementation of schooling is critical, a primary focus on accountability of implementation is incomplete. How excellent teachers and administrators navigate the conditions/systems of school, are a) are impacted by constraints of a system and b) have an impact on what we all want from school: results. 

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Luminary Learning Network's logo. It reads, "Empowered Leaders. Empowered Teachers. Powerful Results" in yellow text.

Podcast season 2, episode 11: Why is DPS superintendent Marrero trying to stop the expansion of Denver’s last innovation zone?

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A proposed expansion of the Luminary Learning Network, Denver’s lone remaining Innovation zone, is being strongly opposed by Superintendent Alex Marrero. LLN Executive Director joins us to discuss the zone, and repeated attempts to curb its autonomies. The consolidation of school control under Marrero has implications for everyone with a stake in DPS.

Podcast season 2, episode 11: Why is DPS superintendent Marrero trying to stop the expansion of Denver’s last innovation zone? Read More »

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Podcast season 2, episode 10: How Dr. Richard Charles, DPS’ top technologist, is thinking about AI in schools

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In this second installment of our occasional series on the implications for public education of artificial intelligence in classrooms and homes, we welcome Dr. Richard Charles, the chief information officer for Denver Public Schools. A mathematician by training and inclination, Dr. Charles has deep knowledge of AI,  its promises and pitfalls. This thought-provoking conversation is well worth a listen.

Podcast season 2, episode 10: How Dr. Richard Charles, DPS’ top technologist, is thinking about AI in schools Read More »

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Judge cites DPS’ “shocking disregard” for school safety in East shootings. It remains a cause for concern today

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The potentially deadly ineptitude of Denver Public Schools’ approach to safety under the current regime is laid bare in a searing ruling issued this week by a federal judge in the lawsuit of an East High School dean shot inside the school by a student three years ago.

Judge cites DPS’ “shocking disregard” for school safety in East shootings. It remains a cause for concern today Read More »

Boardhawk podcast season 2, episode 8: The state of educational opportunity in Colorado, with Nicholas Hernández and Marc Porter Magee

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50CAN, a national education advocacy organization, and Transform Education Now (TEN), its Colorado affiliate, recently released a report called The State of Educational Opportunity in Colorado, a survey of some 515 parents from across the state. ur guests for this podcast episode are Marc Porter Magee, the founder and CEO of 50CAN, and Nicholas Hernández, the co-founder and executive director of TEN. The Colorado report and national survey data are filled with fascinating insights that say a great deal about current attitudes toward public education, school choice, and parental engagement.

Boardhawk podcast season 2, episode 8: The state of educational opportunity in Colorado, with Nicholas Hernández and Marc Porter Magee Read More »

A wide shot of the 2026 Denver Public Schools Board of Education members.

Boardhawk podcast season 2, episode 7: The dysfunctional leadership of the Denver school board, with guest Cody Ostenson

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Last week Boardhawk editor Alan Gottlieb published an article about the dysfunctional leadership of the Denver School Board under President Xóchitl Gaytán. In this new podcast episode Gottlieb and co-host Alexis Menocal Harrigan delver mnore deeply into this issue, along with Cody Ostenson, Director of External Affairs for Denver Families for Public Schools. Ostenson is one of if not the closest observer of the board and Denver Public Schools. His insights into board dynamics and DPS generally are invaluable.

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