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

If Not Now: 2016 Progress Report: Strategic Plan

Aurora Public Schools’ strategic plan needs a thorough revision. APS 2020 is a simple plan: every student will have a plan for their future, the skills to implement their plan, and credentials that open doors. By zeroing in on workforce readiness, the plan’s measures do not adequately enumerate how improvement will happen. Having a plan…

Continue Reading …


If Not Now: 2016 Progress Report: Introduction

Last October, the If Not Now Coalition released the first comprehensive report about the state of Aurora Public Schools. The report found that, while there were bright spots in individual schools, the district by-and-large was not providing the excellent education Aurora students deserve. A year after the release of the report, and with the release…

Continue Reading …


4 Reasons Why the State Board Vote to Keep HOPE Set a Troubling Precedent

This post was updated 9/12/2016. The State Board unanimously voted to keep the Aurora campuses of HOPE Online charter school open despite the local school board’s decision to close the schools. Recently, A+ Colorado CEO Van Schoales compared HOPE Online campuses to the Ford Pinto. For all of you who lack enthusiasm for vintage cars, or were…

Continue Reading …


Steps in the Right Direction: Aurora Public Schools Set to Increase High-Quality Options

Aurora Public Schools will close out this school year with big decisions impacting district improvement and access to high-quality school choices for Aurora’s kids. At this week’s meeting, the APS Board will hear proposals for four charter schools looking to serve Aurora Public Schools students: Academy of Advanced Learning, Vega Collegiate Academy, Dean’s Institute for…

Continue Reading …