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Denver

Schools

In Denver, the achievement gap along socioeconomic lines is clear. In 2006-07, only 22 percent of students in our partner schools in Denver scored proficient or higher on the Colorado Student Assessment Program, as compared to 33 percent in the Denver Public Schools District, and 56 percent statewide. Furthermore, while 88 percent of middle and high-income Colorado students attend schools rated “average” or higher, only 57 percent of students in low-income communities have the opportunity to attend schools of this quality. In Denver Public Schools, 75 percent of our students qualify for free and reduced-price lunch, as compared to only 32 percent in the state of Colorado. Additionally, in the Denver Public Schools where corps members are placed, approximately 16 percent of students we teach are of African-American background, and 72 percent of students are of a Latino/Hispanic background.

As part of its education reform initiatives, Denver Public Schools recently launched what is known as the “ProComp” system for teacher compensation. This new system aims to tie teacher compensation with student achievement outcomes. Teachers earn compensation for knowledge and skills as demonstrated through additional graduate degrees and certificates, professional evaluation, student growth, and via market incentives for teachers in schools or positions that have historically been harder to staff.

At a Glance

School Districts:
Denver Public Schools

Ethnic Breakdown-Student Population
20% African-American
11% Caucasian
66% Latino/Hispanic
3% Asian-American
1% Native American

Ethnic Breakdown-Denver
11% African-American
52% Caucasian
32% Latino/Hispanic
3% Asian-American
1% Native American
16% Other

Percentage of Students Qualifying for Free/Reduced-Price Lunch
77%

Placements
Early childhood education K-6 Secondary math, science, and English K-8 special education