| − | 1. Set high expectations for all students<br><br>2. Raise the overall achievement level<br><br>3. Close the achievement gap<br><br>To meet these objectives, the district is focusing on six methods, which incorporate enhancing literacy a...<br><br>When thinking of Denver, Colorado, do you believe of stunning, snow-capped peaks soaring into the heavens? The Denver Schools technique has targets that resemble high mountainsattainable but challenging. The Denver Schools district has 3 overarching goals:<br><br>1. Set high expectations for all students<br><br>two. Raise the general achievement level<br><br>3. Close the achievement gap<br><br>To meet these targets, the district is [http://www.denvernetworks.com/it-consulting/ the internet] focusing on six methods, which incorporate enhancing literacy and math skills, offering much more right after-school assist, strengthening middle and high schools, enhancing skilled development for principals and teachers, and increasing parental involvement.<br><br>The Denver Schools technique is widely recognized as one particular of the best urban school systems in the country. Its roots can be traced to 1859, when the city was founded. The Denver Schools district was officially developed in 1902 when voters approved a constitutional amendment that designed the City and County of Denver.<br><br>Denver Schools are created up of 73 elementary schools, 15 K-8 schools, 17 middle schools, 14 high schools, 19 charter schools, 6 other schools, and 7 option schools. Student enrollment as of October 1, 2006 was 73,399. 57% of students are Hispanic, 20% are White, 18% are Black, 3% are Asian, and 1% is American Indian. 20% (or 14,450) of Denver Schools students are English Language Learners, and 13,337 students are Spanish speakers. An additional 1,113 students speak a single [http://www.denvernetworks.com/ denver networks] of 86 other languages. Denver Schools provide an impressive array of foreign language classes. These incorporate Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Lakota, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. 4,555 teachers are employed by the Denver Schools district, and the typical teacher salary is $47,829. Denver Schools have a graduation rate of 76.9%, and a dropout [http://www.denvernetworks.com/it-consulting/ it consulting] rate (which considers all students in grades 7 by means of 12) of 4.6%.<br><br>Performance and statistics are not the only issues affecting the Denver Schools method. A proposal by Superintendent Michael Bennet to cut the districts pension program is beneath heated discussion by board members and teachers alike. Bennets program is to spend J.P. Morgan 5.five% a year for the use of $375 million. This would let the district to use about $11 million that would have gone into the pension and put it into the classroom rather. Of course, the Denver Schools system should ultimately fund the pension any short-term losses would be their responsibility. The district asserts that it is committed to funding the pension strategy, and is generating all the contributions it has committed to. The pension board sees this program differently. They fear that if the money doesnt earn 8.five% every single year, they will lose cash in the deal. (8.5% is the sum of the 5.5% and the districts withheld monies) Also according to the pension board, the proposal ready by J.P. Morgan would have the pension fund borrow $375 million at five.5% interest, using its $2.8 billion in assets as collateral. Some see this as a case of robbing Peter to spend Paul. If, and its a big IF opponents argue, the fund returns 8.5%, the district could use that three percentage point distinction (which would equal around $11 million) in the classroom instead. The showdown among the Denver Schools and the pension board comes as the district is also taking into consideration closing schools as a way to cope with its deteriorating finances. In the past four years, Denver Schools have cut $83.5 million dollars from its spending budget.
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