ForwardEd

ALT Denver’s approach remains one of the most controversial, consequential, comprehensive and longest-lasting school reform initiatives in U.S. history. Its success illustrates that with vision, commitment and a willingness to innovate, districts can create dynamic educational opportunities that enable all children to learn more and do better academically. Transformative change does not come easily, but Denver’s example shows that dramatic improvement is possible.

ALT The Education Systems Leadership and Policy Institute July 14-18, 2025, is a five-day graduate seminar host by CEPA at CU Denver SPA in Denver, Colorado designed for current and aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs engaged in education systems transformation and redesign. The curriculum provides an in-depth introduction to education systems leadership, politics, and policy and offers participants an opportunity to explore the challenges and opportunities that come with redesigning how education is organized, governed, and delivered. Using Denver’s vibrant and dynamic education ecosystem as a laboratory, Institute participants learn in partnership with their peers and with prominent researchers and accomplished practitioners through real-world scenarios and critical dialogue. Participants have the option to enroll in Institute for graduate credit.

ALT Watch my conversation with #Denver superintendents @SenatorBennet & Tom Boasberg @CUDenverSPA about their new white paper Leading for Equity and Student Growth: Lessons from the Transformation of #Denver Public Schools: https://tinyurl.com/CEPA-Bennet-Boasberg White paper https://publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/cepa

ALT This study finds that the district’s reforms improved academic achievement in both subject areas for the average DPS student systemwide. Although most of the students in the study were in elementary and middle school when they experienced the reforms, students who experienced them in high school had a higher probability of graduating compared to matched students in surrounding districts.

ALT The monthly report for the Freedmen's School of Sharpsburg, MD in July 1869. It indicates 15 pupils are enrolled, under principal John J. Carter, with an average age of 12. The remarks section reads, "Order is good, moral prospects is somewhat encouraging." National Archives and Records Administration https://www.nps.gov/articles/african-americans-and-education-during-reconstruction-the-tolson-s-chapel-schools.htm