Commentary
Middle school. It is a transition point in life like no other. It brings with it so many physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual changes, and you just can’t leave it to chance that every place will be the best place for your kid. The roll of the dice won’t cut it here.
We have board members and community members who speak about injustice, but do little to tackle the injustices that exist with our students’ academic achievement. Two things can happen at once without being in conflict; we can fight historic systems of oppression while also holding all leaders – including Black and brown ones – to account.
My hope for my students is they are able to pursue their passions and endeavors in an unrestricted way and know they have the power to change the world and seize their own futures. We tend to discount youth, but they have a voice and power in that.
If you’re a Black man in education, you can kind of tell when something drastic is going to happen. When I told my highly effective buddy whom I hired that I was heading to get fired, he was in disbelief.
This new Colorado bill is needed because no federal law currently exists outlawing the practice across the country. Data from public schools telling the truth about seclusion is nonexistent, because most schools have not had to report on or conduct research about the practices and outcomes of using it.
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.
Tomorrow’s community engagement sessions are opportunities for the community to come together and hold board members accountable for redistricting and also to understand their views on political representation.
There is this stigma when someone hears the word “artist.” People sigh at a successful future for artists and creatives. There’s an assumption that all artists are starving, and they don’t know where their next paycheck will come from. That their very struggle is why they’re an artist.
Since the Denver school board killed the district’s School Performance Framework in 2019, families have been left without insight into the strength and struggles of schools across the district. Our new tool aims to fill that gap.
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.
In search of a high-quality middle school
Middle school. It is a transition point in life like no other. It brings with it so many physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual changes, and you just can’t leave it to chance that every place will be the best place for your kid. The roll of the dice won’t cut it here.