Blog posts are the opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of A+ Colorado.

Voices: 10 reasons we need better art in DPS

Originally posted on EdNewsColorado, September 7, 2012. Copyright © EdNewsColorado.org Written by Van Schoales. Van Schoales, head of A+ Denver, makes a personal and professional plea for higher quality and more comprehensive arts education in Denver Public Schools. For far too long, we education reformers have ignored quality arts education in public schools. We correctly…

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Voices: Denver should pursue Race dollars

Originally posted on EdNewsColorado, June 20, 2012. Copyright © EdNewsColorado.org Written by Jason Callegari. Jason Callegari, A+ Denver’s policy director, argues Denver Public Schools must update its strategic plan to have the best shot of winning Race to the Top dollars. On Aug. 12, the U.S. Department of Education announced its new $400 million Race…

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Voices: Is slow and steady enough for DPS?

Originally posted on EdNewsColorado, August 9. 2012. Copyright © EdNewsColorado.org Written by Van Schoales. Van Schoales, head of A+ Denver, finds much to admire in Denver Public Schools’ state test results but questions the pace of progress. Denver Public Schools continues to make slow and steady improvement at most grades on most subjects. Many improved…

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Voices: Are Denver grads really college-ready?

Originally posted on EdNewsColorado, August 1, 2012. Copyright © EdNewsColorado.org Written by Van Schoales. Van Schoales, head of A+ Denver, questions the wide disparity between Denver high schools when it comes to students attending quality colleges. It’s been a year since I had to help my daughter navigate the myriad of challenges in getting her…

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Letter from Van–Testing: Checks and Balances

Dear Members and Friends, Some of you may have seen the very distressing news yesterday on the investigation into cheating at several Denver Public Schools including the highly acclaimed Beach Court Elementary (EdNews article here). Over the last five years I, like many, have been a huge supporter and cheerleader for Beach Court and given…

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Celebrating Denver’s Best of 2011 in Education

I wanted to take the time to celebrate a short list of people and organizations that have made a difference in education reform in Denver for 2011. It’s been a great year for Denver on so many fronts from the new world-class taco shop down the street, a brave new education reformy mayor and a…

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