Joint Committee Committee on Joint Education (04/06/2005)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COMMITTEE ON JOINT EDUCATION

Date:	04/06/2005	ATTENDANCE

Time:	07:41 AM to 08:45 AM	Bacon
		Balmer
Place:	HCR 0107	Benefield
		Evans
This Meeting was called to order by		Jones
	Senator Windels	King
		Larson
This Report was prepared by		McKinley
	Cathy Eslinger	Paccione
		Penry
		Pommer
		Rose
		Solano
		Spence
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Denver Public Schools		-

07:42 AM

The meeting was called to order by the co-chair, Senator Windels.

07:42 AM

Lucia Guzman and Dorothy Horrell, co-chairs of the Denver Commission on Secondary School Reform, came to the table to together to present the findings of the commission. Three hand-outs were distributed (Attachments A through C). Ms. Guzman provided background on the commission and indicated that the Denver Public Schools' (DPS) Board of Education had established the commission last year to review opportunities for improvement in secondary school education. The commission's recommendations were made last month, March 2005.

07:45 AM

Ms. Horrell described the formation of the 27-member commission and the representation on the commission. Community participants were among the members of the commission. She noted that the commission convened a colloquium to hear and lean about secondary school reform efforts across the nation. Ms. Horrell continued by discussing the recommendations of the commission and said that the current system is not a system that guarantees success for all students. She said that the student achievement must be the driving force behind all of the recommendations and the subsequent actions taken. She said that several of the commission's recommendations suggest the need for structural change at the school level, and the importance of strategies that understand the needs of individual students. Underlying the commission's work, Ms. Horrell noted, is the principle that every high school in DPS must be a quality high school. The commission also felt that principals are the most important leaders in the system and must have the authority to drive success and be held accountable.

07:52 AM

Ms. Horrell continued her presentation by discussing the importance of engaging teachers as full partners in reform. Further, the commission's discussion and report supports choice for parents and students. However, choices must be offered among high quality high schools. She noted that accountability must be a part of all schools and all choices available. Engaging the community in order to move reform forward would be important, Ms. Horrell noted. She described a model compact that the commission was recommending wherein public and private stakeholders work together and communicate the importance of change and reform to the community.

07:59 AM

Dr. Sally Mentor Hay, Chief Academic Officer for DPS, responded to questions about obstacles that students see to success, particularly achievement in math. Dr. Hay said that Denver Public Schools has a new cognitive algebra tutor in all of the high schools which provides diagnostic information to students. New data information about student achievement district-wide is a priority for DPS. The new data indicator system will build school profiles and become the basis for performance contracts. The completion of performance contracts for each school will be a priority for DPS, according to Dr. Hay, and will provide new accountability measures.

08:06 AM

Dr. Hay responded to questions regarding tracking student progress. She said that teachers in a subject area will be able to generate specific reports and address student progress. Strong tutoring systems and computer labs will help provide assistance to students. Furthermore, teachers will also be able to see the impact of student attendance or attendance problems as a part of the student's progress. She further discussed the importance that DPS would be placing on teacher leaders and site leadership.

08:12 AM

Ms. Horrell further discussed the role of secondary school teachers and their own perceptions of their role. These are issues that tie into recommendations for structural and organizational change. As the discussion continued, Dr. Hay said that DPS intends to focus on improvement at five schools: Manual, Lincoln, West, North, and Montbello High Schools. These schools will submit proposals to the Board of Education that must address strategies to impact indicators on their school profile.

08:17 AM

Dr. Wayne Eckerling, Denver Public Schools, discussed the data and demographics of the district, as reflected in Attachment C. He said that student mobility is a major issue for the district, and that heavy mobility impacts continuity for students. Representative Merrifield asked whether the commission had gone to students who have dropped out to discuss their reasons and outlook. Ms. Guzman said that she had visited with students who said that they felt it was okay to drop out because the law allows it after the age of 16. Ms. Horrell said that students often indicate that it makes a difference if a teacher or administrator at school shows a personal interest in them and knows if they are there and succeeding.

08:23 AM

Representative Merrifield commented on the possible impact of emphasizing testing and content in a very few subject areas. Ms. Horrell said that student engagement and performance in theme-based secondary schools bear out some of that theory. She also said that rigor does not have to be sacrificed in order to have relevant curriculum.

08:26 AM

Dr. Eckerling explained the breakdown of neighborhood, charter, and alternative schools in the list of secondary schools in Denver Public Schools' system. Ms. Horrell explained discussions that the commission had about preparation for postsecondary education. Dr. Eckerling said that DPS has several contract schools that are run by a management company. Each of those schools has its own governing board. Representative King commented on plans for the empowerment and authority of principals.

08:33 AM

Senator Windels asked questions about student accountability. Dr. Horrell said that the treatment of students as individual learners and the needs of students were discussed. Representative Todd said that she is concerned about middle school preparation for the transition to high school. She feels it is crucial to address what helps students transition successfully to high school. Dr. Hay commented on several indicators for student achievement in middle school. She also said several specific programs such as GEAR UP assist students in need of extra support. Ms. Horrell also said that the potential for support through ninth grade academies was also a part of the commission's report.

08:41 AM

Representative Solano asked about business and private sector participation in the commission. Ms. Horrell discussed the participation of business leaders and how they can encourage reform. Senator Bacon asked the presenters about approaching student learning individually and how some students may achieve in different subjects at varying rates.

08:45 AM

The committee adjourned.