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

School Improvement Grants in Colorado

Originally Posted by EducationNext on December 23, 2013. Copyright © educationnext.org. Written by Andy Smarick. Read here. I’ve obviously made up my mind about School Improvement Grants (SIG) and other school turnaround efforts. But I suspect many others are still wondering if turnaround attempts are a sensible strategy for creating more high-quality seats for kids in need. And I’m…

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Report: Poor oversight on Colorado turnaround effort

Originally Posted by EdNews Colorado on December 18, 2013. Copyright © ednewscolorado.org. Written by Nicholas Garcia. Read here.   Colorado’s Department of Education failed to create a rigorous application process and lacked oversight in a federal turnaround effort meant to spur improvement in the state’s lowest performing schools, a report from A+ Denver claims. In turn,…

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Press Release: Colorado’s Turnaround Schools 2010-2013: Make a Wish

News Release Wednesday, December 18, 2013 Media Contact Van Schoales, CEO, A+ Denver (303) 725-1151 van@aplusdenver.org A+ Denver reveals disappointing school turnaround results under $58 million School Improvement Grant Effort Advocacy group pushes for more new schools and stronger accountability measures Over the past five years, the U.S. Department of Education has invested $4.7 billion…

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December Newsletter: Keeping you informed about A+ Denver

Looking ahead 2013 Game Changer Nominations It’s that time of year again! We are accepting nominations for anyone you think has been a game changer in public education during 2013 in Denver. Game changers are people at the school, district, or policy level that have impacted public education in Denver in a positive way in…

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Press Release: A+ Denver releases updated brief on student achievement

News Release Wednesday, November 20, 2013 Media Contact Van Schoales, CEO, A+ Denver (303) 725-1151 van@aplusdenver.org A+ Denver releases updated brief on student achievement In an updated version of 2011’s Start with the Facts, A+ Denver recognizes improvement among low-income and non-low income students in DPS but raises concerns about the rate at which low-income…

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Voices: Some Monday morning quarterbacking on Amendment 66

Originally Posted by EdNews Colorado on November 19, 2013. Copyright © ednewscolorado.org. Written by Van Schoales. Read here.   A+ Denver CEO Van Schoales reflects on lessons that supporters of school finance reform should learn from the failure of the school tax measure Amendment 66. And join EdNews for a panel discussion on the future…

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Panel: Turnarounds in Colorado–the Clock is Ticking

On November 13, the University of Colorado Denver’s School of Public Affairs and School of Education & Human Development hosted a panel discussion called Turnarounds in Colorado–the Clock is Ticking. The event featured Van, who discussed the improvements that need to take place in the state, along with Peter Sherman, the Executive Director of CDE’s…

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DPS board set to revise Denver Plan, after new members are sworn in

Originally Posted by EdNews Colorado on November 11, 2013. Copyright © ednewscolorado.com. Written by Nicholas Garcia. Read here. The newly-elected members of Denver’s Board of Education have a long to-do list: closing the achievement gap, negotiating teacher contracts, approving school renewals, setting the budget. But no item may be as pressing as revising the Denver…

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Reformers sweep DPS school board election: What does it mean for future of district?

Originally Posted by Westword on November 6, 2013. Copyright © westword.com. Written by Melanie Asmar. Read here. The four candidates supportive of Denver Public Schools’ brand of education reform swept the school board election yesterday. Barbara O’Brien, Rosemary Rodriguez, Mike Johnson and Landri Taylor will fill the four open slots on a seven-member board that…

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Newsletter: Election Aftermath and Dale Stephens Event

Election Aftermath On behalf of A+ Denver, we offer our warm congratulations to Denver’s new school board members-elect:Barbara O’Brien, Landri Taylor, Rosemary Rodriguez, and Mike Johnson. All nine board candidates ran top-notch campaigns. They were organized and professional, and centered on issues and not personalities. A+ Denver applauds all of the candidates’ dedication to public…

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