2023 New Year’s Resolution

We, the civic and business leaders of Denver, resolve to stand by Denver Public Schools students. We will support their success through a shared expectation of excellence for the leaders who direct our students’ present learning opportunities and who influence their future potential as contributing members of our community. 

Our Standard of Excellence

For 2023 and beyond, we expect the Denver Public Schools Board of Education and Superintendent to lead in accordance with the following standards:

UNWAVERING FOCUS ON STUDENT SUCCESS

• We expect the vast majority of Board work to be student-outcome centered.

• We expect all district goals and strategies to orient DPS toward equity and excellence in student outcomes.

• We expect the Superintendent to be evaluated on:

1. Prioritizing the improvement of student outcomes;

2. Increasing equitable opportunity as the core responsibility of the district;

3. Cultivating a district culture that honors the lives of the professionals in the district and positions them to serve students and families well; and

4. Communicating, co-creating and coordinating with community to mobilize the relationships and resources of Denver for the benefit of all students and families in DPS.

HIGH ETHICS

• We expect transparency, honesty and integrity in all activities related to Denver Public Schools.

• We expect the BOE and Superintendent to operate within legal bounds at all times.

• We expect the BOE to demonstrate sound financial stewardship.

• We expect the spirit of all BOE decisions to be in the best interest of DPS students and families.

LOYAL COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

• We expect the BOE to show great respect for and have healthy relationships with our diverse DPS communities.

• We expect that respect to manifest through thorough community process and communication around major decisions.

• We expect the BOE to act dialogically with community rather than dictate to community, ensuring that decisions are co-created.

• We expect business transparency that equips the DPS community with maximal information regarding the impacts, rationale and options surrounding major decisions.

CHARACTER BEFITTING A LEADER

• We expect the BOE to act in a purposeful and professional manner at all times.

• We expect individual Board members to extend respect to one another, even when challenged by divergent points of view, choosing to disagree without being divisively disagreeable.

• We expect civil and congenial conduct between BOE members, the Superintendent and staff in all public and private interactions.

• We expect the BOE to hold itself accountable for its private and public conduct consistent with established standards

EDUCATE Denver and supporting business/community organizations believe Denver Public Schools can be a national model in its ability to support and serve students, families, and staff equitably. In doing so, DPS can achieve our shared aspiration that all students thrive in school, college, career, and life.

We are confident that our district leadership today and those who will assume this incredible responsibility in the future, will meet the high expectations of the Denver community on behalf of our city’s children.

The following organizations stand in solidarity with EDUCATE Denver:

Supporting Business Organizations:

• Asian Chamber of Commerce Colorado

• Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce

• Colorado Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

• Colorado Forum

• Colorado Succeeds

• Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce

• Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce

• Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation

• Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado

Supporting Community Organizations:

• Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy and Research Organization

• Denver Families for Public Schools

• FaithBridge

• Lyra Colorado

• NAACP Rocky Mountain Region

• RootED Denver

• SERVICIOS DE LA RAZA

• Stand for Children Colorado

• Transform Education Now

• Urban League of Metropolitan Denver

• Urban League of Young Professionals