2023 Annual District Report - Strategic Roadmap Update

Letter from the Superintendent

Dear Members of the DPS Community,

I am thrilled and honored to present to you our District Annual Report. This report is a testament to the collective efforts and unwavering dedication of our teachers, leaders, staff, students, parents and community members.

We are sharing this Annual Report because we believe in transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. This annual report serves as an update to DPS Thrives: A Strategic Roadmap to the Denver Public Schools Experience, guiding us to better understand our journey, acknowledge our achievements, and identify areas where we can improve. By doing so, we can get better at getting better and achieve our vision of Every Learner Thrives.

This report highlights the key initiatives we have undertaken over the last year, the significant milestones we have achieved, and most importantly, where we intend to go next. It provides a comprehensive overview of our progress, outlining the specific strides we have made in various offices. The report recognizes the progress we have already made in moving the needle on improving the Student, Adult and System Experiences of our Strategic Roadmap.

While there are many celebrations, there is also much work still to do. This report also aims to acknowledge that our student data isn’t where we want it to be. This is an essential step toward improvement. We have established district priorities for the 2023-24 school year that will enable us to better meet the needs of our students and bring us closer to our goal of accelerating the trajectory of our marginalized students.

This annual report is more than just a document; it represents the shared vision and collective effort that binds us as the DPS community. I encourage you to explore its contents and celebrate the achievements we have made together. With your support and collaboration, we will build an even brighter future for our students and our community.

Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to the success of our district. Together, there is no limit to what we can achieve.

In Collaboration,

Dr. Alex Marrero Denver Public Schools Superintendent

Vision:

Mission:

Educational equity is our collective responsibility. We prepare students for career, college and life. We create conditions and partnerships where students, families and team members belong and thrive.

Shared Core Values:

Students First Integrity Equity

Theory of Action:

If we:

Collaboration Accountability Fun

• Accelerate the growth trajectory for marginalized students and prioritize them and their communities in our culture and decision-making;

• Elevate the student experience through expanded academic learning, whole child support and the pursuit of passion;

• Build an adult experience that integrates and unites the entire DPS community -- team DPS, families and community members -- as one DPS;

• Disrupt, dismantle and redesign systems and practices to ensure equity, transparency and excellence in the lived experience of our students, families and team members;

Then we create a coherent DPS experience with equity as our collective responsibility so that EveryLearnerThrives.

Where We Are Now

Below is a snapshot of our district’s students, adults, and system from 2022-23. Over 89,000 students attended DPS in 2022-23.

Our Students

Hispanic/Latinx

White Black/African American

Multiethnic (two or more races)

Native American or Alaska Native

Asian

Student Race/Ethnicity (All Students in the District) Students

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Over 200 Languages are spoken by DPS students and families!

The 12 Most Widely Spoken Languages are: English, Spanish, Arabic, Amharic, Vietnamese, Somali, French, Nepali, Eastern Farsi, Tigrigna, Russian, and Swahili

40.3% of Students Speak Another Language at Home (Multilingual Learners)

24.3% of Multilingual Learners Currently Receive Services

1,020+ Seals of Billiteracy Earned in 2023

Our Adults

Over 16,000 team members support our DPS students and community. This includes charter school team members seasonal coaches, guest/substitute teachers, etc.

or more races)

*Roundingmaycause%tonotequal100%.Unknownandwithheldraceandethnicityisnotincluded.

Our System

$957.5M - School Budgets (e.g. salary, materials, etc. )

$250.2M - Field Supports (e.g. facilities, transportation, safety, textbooks, etc.)

$131.9M - Central School Supports and Headquarters (e.g. Family and Community Engagement, Career and College Success, Payroll, etc.)

103 Traditional & 52 Innovation Schools

For more information on the budget for the 2023-24 school year, see the Denver Public Schools 2023-24 Proposed Budget.

54 Charter Schools

Strategic Roadmap Progress Measures

The DPS Thrives Strategic Roadmap articulates the progress we must make in shifting the DPS experience so that EveryLearnerThrives. This section outlines progress toward our goals in the 2022-23 school year. Each section includes current performance for the 202223 school year, future goals for 2023-24 and beyond, and highlights specific initiatives for each part of the DPS experience.

Student Experience

Student Experience Index (SEI): The Student Experience Index is a tool through which we monitor parts of the student experience including perceptions of health and sense of safety, sense of belonging, sense of cultural and linguistic pride, engagement and agency. We also monitor student attendance and discipline. The goal is to improve this measure by 10 percentage points.

Current Performance and Targets: Student Experience Index

Student Experience Index: Average Attendance

Charter school attendance is included only for overall district attendance.

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

Grade-Level Achievement

Grade Level Achievement Goals measure our students’ proficiency on academic assessments such as READ Act, Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS), and Colorado P/SAT (CO P/SAT). Our goal is to increase proficiency averages by 10 percentage points and close gaps between student groups by accelerating growth by more than 10 percentage points.

Current Performance: READ Act

More students are reading on grade level in kindergarten through third grade since the beginning of the year.

READ Act assessments are used to determineifchildrenaremakingsufficient progresstogradelevelreadingproficiency.

Future Goals: READ Act

Current Year Performance: READ Act

Grade level and Above

Below grade level

Significantly Below grade level

Current Performance and Future Goals: CMAS

Our grade level achievement goals were met for grades three through eight for Mathematics for the 2022-23 school year. We came a bit shy of hitting our targets for literacy for grades three through eight.

Math

Current Performance of DPS Schools by School Type

We proudly met our grade level achievement goals for grades three through eight for mathematics for the 2022-23 school year.

Current Performance and Future Goals: CO P/SAT

Assessment Growth for CMAS, CO P/SAT, and ACCESS

In 22-23, DPS students grew more on most state assessments compared to their peers around the state based on 2022-23 Median Growth Percentiles (MGP - a comparative measure of change in assessment scores). DPS has not returned to pre-pandemic growth rates.

*Due to the COVID alternate grade testing schedule in 2020-21, the Elementary MGPs in 2021-22 were based on only fifth graders for ELA and only fourth graders for Math. Middle school 2021-22 MGPs were based on sixth and eighth graders in ELA, and only seventh graders in Math.

In 2022-23, DPS’ multilingual learners showed higher growth on ACCESS (based on MGPs) compared to their peers around the state, and growth exceeded 2021-22 levels. Growth on ACCESS matches or exceeds pre-pandemic levels.

A Note on CDE Growth Metrics: The CDE calculates a measure of year-over-year change in assessment scores as a measure of student growth. Every student with scores in consecutive years is assigned a Student Growth Percentile (SGP) based on how they scored compared to all Colorado students with similar prior year scores. SGPs are then aggregated at the state, district, school, and student group levels to calculate Median Growth Percentiles (MGP) to provide a normative measure of change in assessment scores over time.

Post-Pandemic Workforce Readiness: Post-Pandemic Workforce Readiness goals measure our students’ readiness to be successful in careers, college, and life. Our goal is to increase proficiency averages by 10 percentage points and close gaps between student groups by accelerating growth by more than 10 percentage points.

Current Performance and Future Goals: Four Year Graduation Rates

We are proud that we surpassed our graduation goal in the 2022-23 school year!

Current Performance and Future Goals: Five Year Graduation Rates

*2022-23 Graduation data will be available in February 2024. Targets for students earning industry certifications and participation in career development activities (internships and apprenticeships are under development).

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

Passion-Sustaining Programming In and Beyond the Classroom

Targets for participating in passion-sustaining programming (e.g., students receiving robust diverse programming during the school day and students participating in enrichments and/ or extracurriculars outside of the school day) are under development.

We have a few incredible student experience initiatives that came to life in the last year to celebrate.

• Student-Led Climate Action Plan: Recognizing the importance of environmental sustainability, we have developed and implemented a comprehensive Climate Action Plan, which outlines our commitment to reducing our ecological footprint and promoting eco-friendly practices within our schools. Vice President Kamala Harris made a special visit to Northfield High School to give national recognition to DPS Student Climate Activists for their revolutionary work on our climate action plan.

• First Annual STEAM EXPO: DPS STEAM Expo 2023: One World One DPS had over 300 students attend to showcase their STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) projects.

• Four-year graduation rates increase by 2.5 percentage points: Graduation rates are the highest in DPS history. College matriculation has returned to pre-pandemic rates with an 11% increase for Black students.

• 469 internships and 26 apprentices: DPS partnered with over 350 Denver companies and higher education institutions to help students visualize what’s possible, chart a plan for their futures, provide hands-on experience and expand their professional networks through work-based learning.

Adult Experience

Adult Experience

Culture Vitality: This year DPS established a Culture Vitality Index to measure team member perceptions of value, collaboration, trust and equitable mindsets. The goal is to improve this measure by 10 percentage points. This index is measured through data from the annual CollaboRATE survey.

Family Experience: The Family Experience Index is designed to measure how welcomed families feel, families’ sense of their access to information about their student(s) progress, and families’ perceived ability to participate in decision-making at the district and school levels. The goal is to improve this measure by 10 percentage points. This index is measured through data from the annual Tu Voz/Your Voice survey.

A measure for Family Participation will be developed during the 2023-24 school year. We will report on Diverse Workforce measures in early fall when the data for 2023-24 staffing is available.

We have a few incredible adult experience initiatives that came to life in the last year to celebrate.

• In the last five years, the percent of team members identifying as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). increased by 2.9%. Over the same time, we have promoted more women (8% increase) -- particularly women of color (9% increase) -- into principal positions.

• Collective Bargaining:

◦ DPS has successfully negotiated three-year financial agreements with several employee organizations, ensuring that all school district employees will reach a minimum hourly wage of $20 by 2024-2025.

◦ The pay raises are outlined in separate three-year financial agreements with various associations*

◦ Moreover, DPS has achieved significant milestones through successful negotiations, securing three-year collective bargaining agreements that outline working hours and employment conditions with various associations**

• Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE) Principal Award Winners: Joey Denoncourt and Terita Walker.

• Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented 2023 Educator of the Year: Aubrey Daschel-Lloyd.

• Teacher of the Year Finalist: Paulina Lerma.

• 2023 SHAPE Colorado Award Winners: Tracy Hartin, Holly Wells and Gary Zaharatos.

• Over 7,400 people volunteered at 134 schools. Volunteering includes opportunities such as tutoring support in classrooms, assisting as science fair judges, tending to school gardens, and volunteering at school food banks.

• Reclaiming the Narrative: A Film About LGBTQ+ Students: This social justice documentary seeks to reclaim the narratives about LGBTQ+ students by celebrating their authenticity as they see it. Over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been proposed across the United States. DPS and CELT are leading work that leans toward the arc of justice to bring this revolutionary lens to our values-based leadership professional development offerings.

The Association of Building, Grounds & Warehouse, Amalgamated Transit Union, the Colorado Federation of School Safety Professionals, the Communications Workers of America, the Denver Association of Educational Office Professionals, the Denver Federation for Paraprofessionals & Nutrition Service Employees, and the Facility Managers Association.

The Colorado Federation of School Safety Professionals, the Communications Workers of America, the Denver Association of Educational Office Professionals, the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, the Facility Managers Association, and the Vocational Teachers Federation.

System Experience

System Experience

In our System Experience, we are committed to dismantling oppressive systems and practices and building coherence and partnership across the district and community.

Equity Audits: In 2022-23 two systems were identified for equity audits to ultimately dismantle systems of oppression in DPS. The superintendent commissioned the La Raza report to study the experience of Latinx students and staff in DPS. The La Raza Report, a three-part research study conducted over 15 months, will be a counterpart to the legendary Bailey Report, which focused on the African American/Black experience in DPS. The three phases of the study include: stakeholder feedback from staff, students, and community; historical data analysis of academic, behavioral, and demographic data; and a review of historical context impacting Denver Public Schools, with a focus on curriculum and instruction.

The district has also audited our Affective Needs (AN) Special Education system and is implementing the CDE Special Education Corrective Action Plan. The district updated the standard operating procedure for compensatory services and is scheduling compensatory services for students. Other highlighted actions include stakeholder empathy interviews with administrators, Affective Needs (AN) Center teachers, AN Center special service providers, and AN Center paraprofessionals. Further, the district has convened an Affective Needs Advisory Committee to identify priorities for systematically redesigning the AN programming for students.

Implementation Measures: The district has made strides in internal systemic alignment by leveraging the Strategic Roadmap and Board of Education Ends Policies as guiding documents for all of our work. This has resulted in budgetary alignment and the creation of annual priorities that will guide the work of the district to ensure EveryLearnerThrives.

We have a few incredible systems experience initiatives and awards in the last year to celebrate:

• 25 schools received the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award for demonstrating exceptional student and academic growth.

• 19 schools were recently awarded the John Irwin School of Excellence Award by the Colorado Department of Education in 2021-22 for demonstrating exceptional academic achievement.

• Launched DPS Thrives: A Strategic Roadmap to the Denver Public Schools Experience: We built our Strategic Roadmap in collaboration and partnership with the DPS community. Starting with the listening and learning tour, then the transition team, and ultimately the development of the Strategic Roadmap, we grounded our future direction in what we have heard from our students, families, community and team members.

• Community Hubs Launch: We have successfully established community hubs that serve as centers for learning, support and collaboration. These hubs have become vital assets in addressing a holistic approach to student learning through programs and services that support the social, emotional, physical, academic and basic needs of families. Community Hubs supported families facing food insecurity, providing continuous access to food to 1,689 families. DPS celebrated 28 DPS moms at the first GED parent graduation. Over 800 families received energy bill assistance summing up to over $800,000 to support families. Over 300 parents participated in our ESL classes and advanced to the next level. Hubs provided over 80 financial literacy workshops, where 482 families received financial literacy support.

• Long-Term Operational Safety Plan Developed: In response to recent incidents of violence throughout the Denver metro area, we spent almost three months learning from our students, families, staff and community about how to improve our safety policies, protocols and practices. We used that input, along with expertise of our Climate and Safety department, our staff and others around the country to develop the LongTerm Operational Safety Plan.

• Montbello Beam Signing: For the first time in 10 years, Montbello opened its doors as a comprehensive high school. As the district’s largest bond project to date, the new building will include the latest in school architecture design with cornerstones from the old building to provide the students of Montbello an innovative campus by August 2024. This state-of-the-art facility will provide enhanced learning opportunities for our students for years to come.

• Opened Glenbrook Greenhouse: The 28,000-square-foot commercial greenhouse is the first facility of its kind dedicated to providing public school students with fresh produce. 1.7 tons of food were produced with a goal of 2.5 tons for 2023-24.

2023-24 District Priorities

DPS believes that if we prioritize and focus on the following district priorities and achieve the outcomes associated with them, we will accelerate the trajectory of our historically marginalized students, and we will realize our vision of EveryLearnerThrives

In service of that vision, the district established the following priorities that synthesize the roadmap’s direction, in alignment with the Ends statements and the District Outcome Measures. Purpose of district priorities to narrow our focus on what we must get right in 2023-24 to center equity and accelerate the trajectory of our marginalized students

District Priority 1: All students and adults feel safe, welcome, and ready to learn

• All students are present and ready to learn.

• All students and adults feel safe and welcome.

District Priority 2: All students have the foundational skills and support to pursue their passions

• All students are engaged with grade level texts and tasks.

• All students have the opportunity and support to pursue their passions.

District Priority 3: Enabling Conditions

• We leverage data to invest resources equitably, sustainably, and strategically.

Updated Bond and Mill Levy Investments

PromisesMade,PromisesKept

The bond, approved by voters in November 2020, funds physical repairs, improvements and the building of new schools.

Maintenance

7 schools with new cooling systems. At the end of 2024, only 17% of our schools will be without air conditioning

6 buildings with galvanized pipe replacement

27 schools with mechanical, electrical or plumbing updates or repairs

New Capacity

11.5 acres of land purchased for future elementary school in far northeast Denver

4 buildings purchased for Denver School of the Arts expansion

Quality Learning Environment

4 center-based program remodels

5 athletic turf fields replaced

48 school-determined investment projects

3 middle school STEM labs

Technology and Safety

7,480 assistive technology requests fulfilled for students with disabilities

Raptor Visitor Management system installed at all schools

MyTech Expansion. Continuing to support

1:1 Chromebook models at all middle and high schools. Established a hardware repair internship program to certify students on Chromebook repairs, hosting students since 2021 and will be expanding into apprenticeship opportunities next year.

Security Camera Refresh and Camera Expansion projects underway at all schools

Access Control System Expansion. All schools went under evaluation; gaps were identified and resolved

Data Center Computer Refresh. Added additional server and storage to support DPS software systems

Information Security. Added additional tools for identifying and mitigating malicious emails received by students and staff

Business Diversity

Over 30% of bond spending went to minority/ women-owned businesses

We anticipate at the end of this bond over 150 local women and minority-owned businesses will have worked on the bond.

Mill Levy Investments

$17 million for increased minimum wage and other compensation

$3 million for increased mental health services

$4 million for increased nursing services

$2 million to support special education services

$7 million for early literacy supports

$2.9 million for Summer Academy opportunities

$7 million for charter share (required by law)

$33 million in total annual investments

We want to thank the entire Denver community who have invested in our schools through their active participation and interest in DPS and its success as an organization. Thank you Denver voters, and a huge thank you to the Bond Oversight Committee, for your dedication to students and families. For more details on the bond and mill levy overrides, visit bond.dpsk12.org.

DPS Foundation

Annual Report Summary

Denver Public Schools Foundation is the strategic fundraising partner for Denver Public Schools. The DPS Foundation invests in progress for students and educators, connects the community to the classroom and inspires confidence in the promise of public education.

Funded Initiatives

DPS Foundation’s focused initiatives are Community Hubs, The Village at CLA, afterschool programs, and Career & College Success.

Community Leads and Students Succeed (CLASS)

CLASS is a framework to improve student and school outcomes across DPS that was launched in the 2022-23 school year. We identified pilot schools for 2023-24 implementation. Currently, there are ten corporate partners invested in the CLASS framework. The DPS Foundation has created baseline evaluation data to track outcomes in the following four areas: academic growth, social emotional learning, whole family and educator supports.