Graduation Rates and Post-secondary Readiness Enrollment |
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Dear Team DPS,
Thank you to everyone for your continued support of students, many of whom have already returned to in-person learning. Whether attending school in-person or continuing with remote learning, students in DPS have a strong network of support, and I am proud of the work we’ve done to continue meeting the needs of students with a focus on equity.
As we gradually continue welcoming secondary students back for in-person learning through Feb. 1, I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the successes we’ve seen as a district in preparing students for post-secondary success, and share areas where we will continue to work on improvement.
We’ve made great strides in better preparing our students for success after high school. DPS continues to increase the number of students taking post-secondary readiness (PSR) courses, with students taking more than 31,000 PSR courses in 2019-20, a 13% increase over the last year. We also saw an 11% increase and a 10% increase in the number of Black and Hispanic students, respectively, accessing one or more PSR courses. Students enrolled in PSR courses engage in rigorous work aligned with college and higher education standards and expectations -- and they are well-positioned to be on track for graduation by fulfilling credit and competency requirements.
Additionally, the number of students taking AP exams increased, with 58% of students earning a qualifying score in 2020 -- a dramatic increase compared to 49% earning a qualifying score in 2019. Students who earn a qualifying score in an AP course exam or portfolio can potentially receive college credit, tuition savings and an opportunity to enroll in more advanced courses in that field in college.
Our educators also provided opportunities for nearly 5,000 students to earn college credit through Concurrent/Dual Enrollment in 2020, an increase of 13% compared to the last year. These are college-level courses that expose students to the academic challenges of college while they’re still in their high school’s familiar, supportive environment. Students earn free college credit with a passing grade, saving time and money and getting a head start on their post-secondary goals. Concurrent enrollment classes are offered at all high schools in DPS, allowing all students access to college courses in high school.
Many thanks to all of the educators and school leaders for this phenomenal achievement, and congratulations to our students!
One of the most important measures of our success as a school district is how well we are preparing our students to make a great future for themselves. That starts, of course, with helping to ensure they reach the graduation stage. For the DPS Class of 2020, our four-year, on-time graduation rate increased to 74.6% -- a 3.7 percentage point increase from the previous year. Rates increased for almost all student groups by race and ethnicity. Rates for African American students increased 2.8 percentage points to 71.1%, and the graduation rates for Latino students increased 4.6 percentage points to 72.6%. The Class of 2020 was the first to be hit by the hardships created by COVID-19, and in order to support these students and their families, we offered a waiver process that allowed seniors who were short of up to 30 credits to graduate. Roughly 8% of students in our Class of 2020 received a waiver for graduation.
The gradual return to in-person learning for secondary students will allow us to continue the work of setting our students up for post-secondary success. I am grateful that we have been able to proceed with safely reopening our schools, as in-person support will help us further our goals. There is still much work to be done to support Hispanic and Black students who are underrepresented in PSR courses and behind their peers in on-time graduation rates. While Black students comprised 14% of the overall DPS population, they only accounted for 11% of students in PSR course enrollment. Similarly, Hispanic students comprised 57% of the overall enrollment, but only accounted for 52% of the PSR course enrollments.
With equity as our guiding value, we’re committed to continuing our progress and providing the support that’s needed to clear a path to a great future for all of our students.
Many thanks,
Tamara Acevedo,
Deputy Superintendent of Academics
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Update on COVID-19 Vaccine for DPS Staff |
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As you may have heard, Gov. Jared Polis announced today that teachers and child care workers, as well as those 65-69 years old, are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine starting Feb. 8. Click here for the updated Vaccine Distribution plan for Colorado.
To support, DPS announced our partnership with Children’s Hospital Colorado (Children’s Colorado), which will allow us to offer vaccinations to all of our roughly 18,000 employees and charter school team members. Thanks to Children’s Colorado, we hope to be able to offer the opportunity for all team members to receive the vaccine between now and the end of March (subject to the vaccine’s availability and any changes from state officials).
We will prioritize team members who are frontline staff working with our students every day, in collaboration with union leadership, and we will be in contact with those employees with steps on how appointments will be made with Children’s Colorado. Please do not reach out Children’s to set up your appointment.
As a reminder, DPS is not requiring you to take the vaccine, because we know this is an individual and personal choice for all staff members. However, we hope that a large number of our team will choose to take the vaccine in order to provide maximum protection for our staff and student communities. Please reach out to your personal health care provider with any questions about the vaccine. We will share more information about this opportunity, as well as additional resources, in the coming days.
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Denver Health/DPS Health Update |
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Students Discuss Returning to In-Person Learning |
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At a recent Denver Board of Education meeting, fourth- and fifth-grade students at Odyssey School of Denver, Southmoor Elementary, Dora Moore E-8 and Downtown Denver Expeditionary School shared their experiences returning to in-person learning. Watch the full video here.
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Discovery Link Summer Camp Registration Opens Feb. 8 |
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Discovery Link has been running safe, in-person programming since last July, leading DPS in developing safe COVID protocols and practices. We can’t wait to host camps in summer 2021.
Registration for summer programming opens on Monday, Feb. 8. Families who are new to Discovery Link can register here, and returning families can register here.
We know that children thrive with a plan for their day. Discovery Link will offer a schedule that provides students a lively, active environment to engage in a variety of experiences, including visual and performing arts, sports and field days, science, cultural exploration, and student-led activities. These activities will be infused with Social Emotional Academic Learning (SEAL) and student-focused relationship and community building.
To learn more about summer program offerings, COVID-19 precautions and registration changes, click here.
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Get Ahead with a Cash-back Refund and Free Tax Help |
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File your taxes for free and get cash back for what you need. Whether you need to catch up on bills, pay down debt or buy items for your family, the Earned Income Tax Credit puts money back in your pocket -- up to $6,600.
Don’t pay to file your taxes if you don’t have to -- if you made $57,000 or less last year, you qualify for free, trustworthy tax help from an IRS-certified preparer. Estimate your refund and find free tax help at GetMyRefundCO.org.
If you prefer to file on your own, have access to a computer, a valid email address and about an hour of time, visit MyFreeTaxes.com to file online for free.
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DPS Receives 250,000 Masks Thanks to a Donation from The Home Depot |
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DPS recently received a generous donation of 250,000 face masks for use among students and staff. The donation was a welcome addition to the district’s supply of personal protective equipment, providing another layer of reassurance in safeguarding the health of DPS staff and students.
"It’s critical both students and teachers feel safe at school. We’re proud to donate masks to Denver Public Schools to protect educators and young learners just as we have done in our stores for customers and associates," said Donny Sanchez, regional vice president at The Home Depot.
The masks will be used to supplement the district’s existing supply of face masks, which will help encourage consistency with the "DPS 5" safety measures, which include daily health screenings, wearing a face mask, maintaining physical distance, practicing good hygiene and requiring adults to meet virtually.
Pictured: A shipment of donated face masks delivered to DPS by The Home Depot.
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