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

Stay Sharp Newsletter: December 2018

As the we find ourselves in the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle, A+ asks some hard questions reflecting on education throughout the state, before things become quiet as students and educators get the much needed break they deserve before 2019 takes off. A+ Updates November Education Policy Networking Series: What’s Next for Denver Public…

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The Open System Podcast: Restoring Dignity to Students

A version of this post originally appeared on the blog The Open System. As some readers know, I regularly publish podcasts on my website The Open System. The podcast and website explores themes of family engagement, feedback loops between systems and communities and ways to make our education system work for the communities they serve. This…

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From The Principal’s Perspective: A New Superintendent? What We Need Now.

By Guest Blogger: John Youngquist, East High School Principal  For over a quarter of a century I have served in Denver Public Schools, and beyond, as a teacher, principal, mentor and coach, area superintendent and chief academic officer. As a proud alumnus of a Denver Public School, I have experienced many successes that many of my fellow…

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Stay Sharp Newsletter: November 2018

Happy Thanksgiving, we hope everyone gets a well deserved break while gathering with friends, family, and neighbors to cook, eat and reconnect. Many of us will be traveling far with Mama Stamberg’s cranberry relish (you must give it a try) and having friendly arguments on whether the stuffing should have chorizo (we’ll have a veggie version).…

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Can We Finally Fix Colorado’s Broken School Finance System?

In spite of the largest blue wave to hit Colorado in many decades, voters turned down Amendment 73, the tax measure to increase funding to public education. How can this be? Many school districts across the state are clearly struggling for funds. Few have full-day kindergarten for all students. Colorado currently has one of the…

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A Reflection on A+ Colorado’s Many Languages, One Future Report Release

By Guest Blogger: Dan Lutz On October 30 at Bear Creek High School, several of us on the A+ Action Team attended the A+ report release and presentation regarding the status and progress of English language learners in schools and districts around Colorado.  It was an impressive event about an arena that is important to me.…

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Democracy & Distrust

Democracy & Distrust I recently attended a conference where I was fortunate to hear from individuals from across sectors, from all levels of government, and from different areas of study (health, education, etc.) on the way that data can benefit social change. We all, ostensibly, shared the same belief: data can be leveraged to drive…

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Families searching for signal in the noise

October came in with a rush of winter weather and seasonal colors.  With the early onset of winter weather, I always worry that the colors will disappear before I’ve had a chance to really enjoy the leaves. Like the fall leaves disappearing before we’ve had a chance to enjoy them, I also worry that here…

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Denver’s 2018 SPF: Recognizing Our Gaps

Recognizing Our Gaps Denver’s release of its School Performance Framework begs many questions about school quality in Denver and how to expand academic opportunity across the city. The SPF serves a great number of purposes to a great number of people. But there are a few things it is not. First, the SPF is not…

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Stay Sharp Newsletter: October 2018

Trick or treat season is upon us and we have plenty of news to go around. We’re covering the unmasking of Denver’s SPF ratings, a Halloween Eve report release, and a (hopefully) less scary road ahead for Adams 14 school district. A+ Updates Many Languages, One Future A+ Colorado is thrilled to announce the upcoming…

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