Adams
14
We
often wonder what if, what would have been different if…
Given the heartache and turmoil this past year over how to improve
public education in Adams 14, the question seems worth considering.
What might have been different for Adams
14 had it offered parents a choice these past two decades?
We cannot go back in time, but it might help as we go forward. We all
know of a dream deferred. In the case of Adams 14, I think of hope denied. Why?
Because the district failed to make the most of Colorado school laws. In so
doing, it limited the possibilities of something better for its students.
**
Excerpt from the Colorado State
Board of Education hearing – April 14, 2022:
Angelika Schroeder, Chair of the State
Board:
My question is about choice in your
district. We have in Colorado a process where any student can go to any school.
Dr. Karla Loria, Superintendent of
Adams 14
… so as far as choice, we don’t offer
choice. Last two months I’ve been (at) the helm I realized we do not offer
choice.
(For a more complete version of
this exchange, see Addendum.)
**
It was a shock to
hear a Colorado superintendent admit this, in 2022, especially one leading a district
in the Denver metro area. Hard to imagine, given the loud and controversial debates
about choice and charters during the past three decades. It is to her credit –
Dr. Loria is new to the district and to Colorado, and these policies were not
her doing – that she could tell it like it is. Hiding nothing.
“We don’t offer choice.”
1. COMPARING
DISTRICTS
|
Superintendents
in Adams 14 Sue
Chandler, 2009-2012 Pat
Sanchez - 2012-2016 Javier
Abrego – 2016-2019 MGT
Consulting Group / Don Rangel, Acting Superintendent – 2019-2021 |
The charter school law passed in 1993. The
five largest school districts in the metro area (and in the state) now offer
over 100 charter schools (see below).
Were the folks in Adams 14 deaf and blind to the good news being
reported about many of these new schools on the other side of 56th
Ave.? (See Denver Post editorials: April 9, 2008, Despite the odds, DSST students score an
A-plus,[i]
and March 17, 2009, When something
works in education, copy it.[ii])
|
Total # students (fall 2021)[iii] |
# of charter
schools (fall 2021)[iv] |
|
|
Denver Public Schools |
88,889 |
57 |
|
Jefferson County |
78,473 |
19 |
|
Douglas County |
63,876 |
18 |
|
Aurora Public Schools |
38,451 |
11 |
|
Cherry Creek |
53,558 |
3 |
|
Total |
323,247 |
108 |
Adams 14 has not been completely opposed to charters. Back in 2004 it approved of the charter for Community Leadership Academy, and authorized CLA’s two schools from 2005-2011.[v] And last December the district approved of a new charter for University Prep.[vi] The school and the district are still negotiating a contract; if successful, the new school might open in 2023. Still, this fall, Adams 14 does not authorize a single charter school.
|
5 metro
area districts |
Total # students |
# of charter schools (fall 2021)[vii] |
|
Mapleton |
9,002 |
0 |
|
Westminster |
8,320 |
0 |
|
Adams 14 |
6,114 |
0 |
|
Englewood |
2,440 |
0 |
|
Sheridan |
1,177 |
0 |
2.
COMPARING TWO HIGH SCHOOLS –
DSST-Montview High and Adams City High
Comparing districts misses the more
human factor. Imagine a 13- or 14-year-old graduating from Adams City Middle
School, with a choice between two high schools. They are less than 7 miles
apart. Let’s compare—and imagine—what if?
Drive out of DSST-Montview (its current name) onto Montview Blvd., go
half a mile west to Quebec, drive north 6.4 miles, and turn east on 7200
Quebec. Enter Adams City High School.
What if a such a choice had been
available to that young teenager, and to his or her family, in 2005, or 2010,
or 2015–at any point in recent years?
2004 – Scores at Adams
City High School. DSST Stapleton opens.
Anyone paying
attention has known for decades that Adams 14’s main high school has struggled.
In the summer of 2004 the high school’s results on CSAP, the state’s
assessment, for grades 9 and 10, were among the lowest in Colorado (see
below). Did ACHS students have a choice? Few would call the district’s
alternative high school, Lester Arnold, a strong option. Even by the lower
expectations for Alternative Education Campuses, Lester Arnold also performed
poorly throughout most of the decade.[viii]
Percentage of
students Proficient or Advanced on CSAP high school tests - 2004[ix]
|
Adams City
High School |
State of
Colorado |
|
|
9th
grade - Reading |
30 |
66 |
|
-
Writing |
15 |
53 |
|
-
Math |
11 |
32 |
|
10th
grade - Reading |
30 |
65 |
|
- Writing |
16 |
50 |
|
- Math |
8 |
27 |
|
2004 – ACT |
Adams City High School |
State of Colorado |
|
Total |
14.0 |
18.8 |
“The Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST) was recognized today
as the top performing school in Denver. Denver Public Schools Superintendent
Tom Boasberg released 2009 School Performance Framework (SPF) results showing
DSST on top in every category…. DSST’s overalls core of 95% was defined by
a 96% status score and a remarkable 98% growth score.
“DSST is a 6-12 open enrollment charter
school located in the Stapleton neighborhood. Students are selected for
admission using a lottery system rather than pre-admission testing. DSST’s
student body is 45% free or reduced lunch and 63% minority.”[xi] (Bold mine)
Again,
what if that 8th grader in Adams 14 had known of the school choice
available to him or her?
2010
to 2019 – Comparing SPF ratings and achievement scores
By 2014 DSST-Stapleton High School was in its 10th year, well
past the start-up stage. By 2014 Adams City High School – originally founded
under a different name back in 1908 – had been in its new building since 2009.
Five years to settle in.
That year Denver’s own School Performance Framework (SPF) again listed DSST-Stapleton (as it was then known) as the highest rated school
in the district. Meanwhile, on the state’s SPF, Adams City High was placed in year 5 on the
accountability clock. It has continued to be "on the clock" ever since then.
|
|
ADAMS CITY HIGH SCHOOL |
DSST- MONTVIEW HIGH (formerly
Stapleton) |
|
2010 |
Turnaround Plan |
Performance |
|
2011 |
Priority Improvement |
Performance |
|
2012 |
Priority Improvement |
Performance |
|
2013 |
Priority Improvement |
Performance |
|
2014 |
Priority Improvement (Year 5 on
accountability clock) |
Performance |
|
2016 |
Priority Improvement |
Performance |
|
2017 |
Turnaround Plan |
Performance |
|
2018 |
Priority Improvement |
Performance |
|
Priority Improvement (Year 9 on accountability clock) |
Performance |
|
|
2019 |
Total % pts earned - 35.5% |
Total % pts earned - 86.2% |
|
2019 |
ADAMS CITY HIGH SCHOOL |
DSST- MONTVIEW
(formerly Stapleton) |
State of Colorado -Average |
|
Enrollment |
1,764 |
582 |
- |
|
FRL |
82% |
55% |
41% |
|
Minority |
91% |
76% |
47% |
|
English Learners |
50% |
21% |
16% |
|
Academic Achievement |
25% |
79.3% |
|
|
Academic Growth |
45.5% |
89.2% |
|
|
Postsecondary & Workforce
Readiness |
Does Not Meet – 32.7% |
Exceeds 94.3% |
|
2022 UPDATE
|
2022[xii] |
ADAMS CITY HIGH SCHOOL |
GAP |
DSST- MONTVIEW |
State of Colorado- Average |
|
PSAT - 9 |
735 |
186 |
921 |
885 |
|
PSAT - 10 |
785 |
125 |
910 |
935 |
|
PSAT - 11 |
821 |
165 |
986 |
986 |
I am merely asking what if? What
if students at Adams City High could have had the choice to attend a
stronger high school? How would their skills, knowledge, and college and career
readiness–their chances to fulfill their potential—have differed had
they been able to attend a high school like DSST? What if their parents
had had the kind of information and options, back then, that had become
familiar to DPS families? What if they were given a clear understanding of
their choices in Colorado law—through open enrollment (1990 and 1994) and through
charters (1993)? We will never know.
Looking ahead, however, we have reason for
hope. Families and students have choice. No Colorado district can act like a
monopoly. Even if some—to their detriment—still
do.
3. CHOICE,
ENROLLMENT, A DISTRICT’S SURVIVAL and $$$
And to that point, let’s talk money. I speak now to a district’s
self-interest: enrollment, state and federal funds, and financial survival.
Many school districts have struggled to maintain enrollment during the COVID
years. In the metro area, economic factors—namely the cost of housing—have also
played a role in decreased enrollment. Adams 14 showed a decline of 18% pupil
membership between 2016 and 2021 (see CDE report below). I am sure there is no
one reason for the decline. But what if a district’s lack of choice is one
reason?
Enrollment in metro districts offering choice declined too, but not as much as those that do not authorize any charter school at this time.
STATE TRENDS IN COLORADO PUBLIC
SCHOOL PRESCHOOL (PK) THROUGH 12th GRADE MEMBERSHIP BY SCHOOL DISTRICT
|
|
2009-10 |
2014-15 |
2018-19 (pre Covid) |
2021-22 |
5-year change 2016-2021 |
|
Metro
districts with charter schools (TOTAL of 72) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denver
Public Schools (57) |
77,255 |
88,839 |
91,998 |
88,889 |
-2.5% |
|
Adams 12
(4) |
41,949 |
38,701 |
39,282 |
36,078 |
-7% |
|
Aurora
Public Schools (11) |
36,967 |
41,729 |
39,892 |
39,451 |
-8% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Metro
districts with zero charter schools (0) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Englewood
(0) |
3,124 |
2,866 |
2,633 |
2,440 |
-12.1 |
|
Adams 14
(0) |
7,422 |
7,584 |
7,060 |
6,114 |
-18.1% |
|
Sheridan
(0) |
1,595 |
1,536 |
1,420 |
1,177 |
-22% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mapleton
(0)* |
5,775 |
8,670 |
8,934 |
9,002** |
+2% |
(From CDE website – Pupil membership - http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdereval/pupilcurrent)
*Mapleton,
while offering no charters, has had a fairly sophisticated choice program for a
number of years. See https://www.mapleton.us/Page/5586 – “Step
2: Choose! Congratulations! You are ready to choose
the school of your choice and start achieving your dreams in Mapleton!”
**Mapleton’s online school, Colorado Connections Academy, enrolled 2,154 students in 2021-22. Enrollment in the district's brick and mortar schools in 2021-22: 6,848.
No choice - in an open enrollment state?
Related to the declining enrollment in Adams
14 is another factor: many families in the community have taken advantage of
interdistrict choice. Open Enrollment has been in place in Colorado since
1994-95.[xiii]
A 2018 report found that almost 30% of district students enrolled in other
districts that year (including the Charter School Institute, which authorizers
Community Leadership and Victory Preparatory Academy. The number of Adams 14
students enrolling out of district more than doubled between 2010 and 2017).[xiv]
Parents
look for and find what they consider a better alternative, beyond the limits of
Adams 14. They enroll their children in a non-district school that they hope
will better meet the needs of their kids.
District opposition to charters frequently includes
this: “they are a drain on our resources.” And a plea: “spend district funds
only on district schools.” Given the data above, I propose another view: What if
offering choice is proving to be critical to the economic health, even the
survival, of many urban districts?
At that meeting last April, Dr. Loria told the State Board of Education: “We need to provide our families with choices.” This gives us hope.
Addendum
State Board of Education – April 14,
2022
Angelika Schroeder, Chair of the State Board:
“My question is about choice in your district. We have in
Colorado a process where any student can go to any school. (In fact I think it
has already been mentioned that a lot of your kids go to schools that are not
Adams 14 schools.)
“But how do you share with your community:
“What are the options? …
“Do you have a publication or
something that explains the differences between your various schools?
“Do you provide any kind of
transportation for kids?
“Do you have a system?
“I’m familiar with the districts that literally have a
system of choice, there’s a choice time period … and you as a district then
know where parents want to send their kids and knowing that they have an option
to go other places.
“Please.”
Dr. Karla Loria, Superintendent of Adams 14
“Thank you Madam Chair.”
(Dr. Loria first spoke for two
minutes on her reasons for taking this leadership role in Adams 14 and her
belief that progress is possible within an accountability system. As
evidence, she shared her success in helping to turn around 18 schools in
Houston in one year.)
“… so as far as choice, we don’t offer choice. Last two months I’ve been (at) the helm I realized we do not offer choice. Students can choose to go elsewhere but we do not have a system for families to understand – there are buses that students can take, these are the options – so that is part of our planning, what we need to work on. That is part of what we need to focus our attention on. We need to provide our families with choices. It is not that if you live in this zip code you do not have choice and have to leave to another district.”
Endnotes
[i] The Denver Post, April 9, 2008, https://www.denverpost.com/2008/04/09/despite-the-odds-dsst-students-score-an-a-plus.
[ii] The Denver Post, March 16, 2009, https://www.denverpost.com/2009/03/16/when-something-works-in-education-copy-it/.
[iii] Colorado Department of Education, http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdereval/pupilcurrent
[iv] 2021-22 Charter Pupil Membership by
School and Grade, Colorado Department of Education, http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdechart/chartenroll.asp.
[v] Community Leadership Academy (PK-5) and
Victory Preparatory (6-12).
Adams 14 authorized
Community Leadership Academy’s charter in 2004. Community Leadership Academy
opened in 2005 with Adams 14 as its authorizer. In the spring of 2011, the
school turned to the Charter School Institute as its authorizer.
[vi] https://co.chalkbeat.org/2021/12/15/22838287/adams-14-board-university-prep-charter-school-community-leadership-victory-prep-vote
[vii] 2021-22 Charter Pupil Membership by
School and Grade, Colorado Department of Education, http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdechart/chartenroll.asp.
[viii] Lester Arnold was rated on AEC: Priority
Improvement Plan or AEC: Turnaround Plan from 2010-2014. Most
recently, it was rated as on AEC: Priority Improvement Plan in 2018 and
2019. From 2010-Performance Framework Flat Files from Previous Years, CDE, http://www.cde.state.co.us/accountability/performance-framework-flat-files-from-prior-years
[ix] CSAP scores for all metro-area schools, “Year
of pluses and minuses,” Rocky Mountain News, Aug. 3, 2004.
[x] “ACT
Results - State sees dip in test scores,” Rocky Mountain News, Aug. 3,
2004.
[xi] “DSST is Top Performing School in Denver,” DSST, Press
Release, Sept. 17, 2009.
[xii] Colorado Department of Education, http://www.cde.state.co.us/assessment/sat-psat-data
[xiii] https://www.cde.state.co.us/sites/default/files/documents/choice/download/openenrollment_2009.pdf
22-36-101. Choice of programs and schools within school
districts. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section,
every school district, as defined in section 22-30-103 (13), shall allow: (a)
Its resident pupils who apply pursuant to the procedures established pursuant
to subsection (2) of this section to enroll in particular programs or schools within
such school district; and
(b) Commencing with the 1994-95 school year and
thereafter, nonresident pupils from other school districts within the state
who apply pursuant to the procedures established pursuant to subsection (2) of
this section to enroll in particular programs or schools within such school
district without requiring the nonresident pupils to pay tuition.
(2) (a) Every school district shall adopt such policies and procedures as are reasonable and necessary to implement the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, including, but not limited to, timelines for application to and acceptance in any program or school which may provide for enrollment of the student on or before October 1, and, while adopting policies and procedures, the school district shall consider adopting a policy establishing that an applicant with a proficiency rating of unsatisfactory in one or more academic areas who attends a public school that is required to implement a turnaround plan pursuant to section 22-11-406 or that is subject to restructuring pursuant to section 22-11-210 shall have priority over any other applicant for enrollment purposes.
[xiv] “Requests from State Board of Education
Members for Additional Information in Advance of the Nov. 14, 2018
Accountability Hearing for Adams 14 School District and Adams City High School.”
|
Year |
2021-22 K-12 Enrollment |
Total Resident Students |
% Adams 14 Resident Students Enrolling Out of District |
|
2010 |
1,577 |
7,549 |
17.3% |
|
2011 |
2,566 |
7,321 |
26% |
|
2012 |
2,434 |
7,500 |
24.5% |
|
2013 |
2,780 |
7,598 |
26.8% |
|
2014 |
2,792 |
7,584 |
26.9% |
|
2015 |
3,061 |
7,577 |
28.8% |
|
2016 |
3,043 |
7,467 |
29% |
|
2017 |
3,155 |
7,400 |
29.9% |
Update – 2021-22
Colorado State Board of Education - Accountability
Hearing, Adams 14
From Board member request for details
Request #5: A board member requested details on students who live within Adams 14 boundaries but have chosen to attend school in another district. There was a specific request for the number of high school students.
CDE Response: In the CDE Accountability Hearing
Background Report on pages 9-10 and in Appendix C on pages
56-57 are data tables that detail the number of students attending other
districts or a school authorized by the Charter School Institute and
the percentage of students attending outside of their resident district in
other nearby metro area districts. In 2021-22, 962 9th-12th graders
who reside in Adams 14 school district enrolled in a school outside of the
district or authorized by the Charter School Institute.
April 12, 2022, https://go.boarddocs.com/co/cde/Board.nsf/files/CDGKYQ542E53/$file/CDE%20-%20Board%20Member%20Requests%20(Adams%2014)%20-%20April%202022.pdf.
Number
of Adams 14 Resident Students Enrolling Out of District
|
District |
Adams 14 Resident Students
Enrolling out of District |
Total Students Enrolled in
Adams 14 |
Enrolled Students Who
Reside in Another District |
Resident Students Enrolled
in Another District |
Percent of Resident
Students Enrolled in Another District |
|
Adams 14 |
5,703 |
8,483 |
225 |
3,005 |
35.42% |
|
Denver Public Schools |
84,079 |
84,428 |
6,670 |
7,019 |
8.31% |
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