Newsrooom

The column in the April 25 Rocky Mountain News, written by the Denver Public Schools' superintendent and board members, acknowledges that we can't operate an effective and innovative Denver public school system using the antiquated methods of the early 20th century. A patchwork of DPS educational reforms applied inconsistently, unevenly and, arguably, haphazardly over the past several decades has resulted in a product of doubtful quality. The Rocky's series on DPS over the past few weeks, "Leaving to learn," clearly points out the disconnect between what traditional DPS schools offer and what parents want. As a DPS graduate and parent of young children I had hoped could attend my alma maters, I am gravely concerned about their generation's academic preparation.

The system currently in place, though effective for some, has failed far too many young people in DPS, leaving them educationally unfulfilled or intellectually malnourished, in short, left behind. The numbers speak for themselves:

* 76 percent graduation rate;

* No higher than 46 percent proficiency in math in grades 3-10;

* No higher than 36 percent proficiency in writing in grades 3-10;

* No higher than 52 percent proficiency in reading in grades 3-10.

Truthfully, most of the DPS children being left behind are young African-Americans and Latinos and otherwise low-income children. Is there any wonder that so many of these students end up being counted among the disproportional representation of people of color who fill our prisons?

Superintendent Michael Bennet and DPS board members should be applauded for the boldness, clarity and vision of their statement, as well as their unequivocal and enthusiastic desire to chart a new course for Denver's students. Bennet and the board are absolutely correct. We now find ourselves at an ominous fork in the road where our choices are stark and dramatic: We can continue down the road of declining graduation rates, poor test scores, children unable to attain the promise of a quality and preparatory American education or take the visionary and courageous steps on a path where all of our children are equipped with the necessary tools to find their own successes in a shrinking global society.

In order to provide educational stability for the more than 73,000 students in DPS and the generations that will follow, DPS needs to act quickly on the points outlined in the column:

* Identify the best and brightest principals and place them at the helm of our schools, meanwhile nurturing a bench of equally talented successors.

* Create a common curriculum.

* Increase professional development opportunities for teachers.

* Provide a wider range of career options for teachers.

* Ensure school-level decision making.

* Raise community expectations, monitor progress and open, transparent operations.

DPS should also request to be unshackled from the state's educational requirements and be allowed to take whatever steps necessary to create a world-class 21st century school system.

We need to do what Bennet and the board ask and allow them to make this "Ultimate DPS Makeover." Essentially, release DPS from trying "to compete with two arms tied behind its back."

The Colorado General Assembly needs to work with the Denver community, DPS officials, the governor, the mayor and the state Department of Education to overcome obstacles that prevent the district from making these changes. We need to grant the necessary waivers, create the necessary policies and laws that will enable DPS to take charge of its destiny. Everything - from bonding, retirement plans, property management to teacher licensing, administrative structure and technology - needs to be placed under a microscope and scrutinized for better ways, better outcomes and better futures for children.

As the column rightly pointed out, charter schools and other schools of choice have driven innovation, competition and diversity of educational programming in districts across the country, but these assets shouldn't be available only to those students lucky enough to enroll in a DPS charter school.

We need to give DPS the freedom to create 151 options and opportunities - a charter district, if you will.

We cannot be so attached to the past that we can't create a better path to a better future for our children, our state and our country.

Right now, today, 73,399 youngsters are counting on the creation of that path.