In 2019 The Denver school board passed a Black Excellence Resolution to improve how the district serves and celebrates Black students. DPS schools were asked to critically examine current inequitable systems and structures as well as policies and practices that were rooted in racism and had a negative impact on marginalized groups. Additionally, schools engaged in a deep dive into school and student-related data in order to create an action plan to better serve Black students and their families. We are dedicated to helping our Black students succeed at all levels and strongly believe that by supporting Black students, we learn lessons in how to support all students of color in our school. This year, our school created specific goals and next steps around family engagement of Black students and supporting academic growth.
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During the 2023-2024 school year, the La Raza Report emerged from a research project conducted by The Multicultural Leadership Center, LLC and examines the experiences of the Latino community in Denver Public Schools over several decades. The report offers recommendations for improving experiences for Latino students, families and employees in DPS.
While the District has not yet required programming or a school equity plan based on the La Raza report, we know it is something we need to focus on. After all, 52% of students in the District and 26% of students at Inspire at Hispanic.
What we can learn from a focus on our Black students is how to transfer our support to other groups of students. We look at data and the impact of academic and social emotional instruction for all our student groups. Our demographic data shows that we currently have less than 1% American Indian / Alaska Native, 5% Asian, 8% Black or African American, 12% Two or more races, 23% Hispanic, and 75% white. Our student population also consists of 6% ELL (English Language Learners), 6% Special Education students, 21% Free Reduced Lunch students.
During the 2021-2022 school year, a small cohort of staff (two Administrators and three members of the Instructional Leadership Team) completed the Equity Experience. The Equity Experience is the result of what is outlined in the Black Excellence Resolution driven by the Board of Education, which calls for “training all members of Team DPS in implicit bias and culturally responsive education on an ongoing basis.” This cohort of staff then facilitated turnkey professional development for the rest of the staff during PD Days during the school year.
During the 2022-2023 school year, the remainder of our instructional staff (teachers, interventionists, ELD) and support staff (Counselor, Social Worker, Front Office) completed the Equity Experience module. After modules were completed, turnkey professional development sessions were facilitated during PD days. In addition, administration completed the second series of DPS’ Equity Modules. This second year of equity PD was intended to strengthen and build upon the work that was completed during the prior year.
During the 2023-2024 school year, staff continued with equity PD sessions during Inspire Days. Sessions were based on Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Brain by Zaretta Hammond with three parts:
During the 2024-2025 school year, we will be engaging in The Consciously Unbiased Educator by Huda Essa.
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