Our Needs
The Denver Plan | Schools | Needs | Teacher Support | Facts & Figures About DPS
Denver Public Schools believes that every student deserves a high-quality education, and that student achievement is tied directly to teacher effectiveness. With almost half of all teachers in urban schools leaving the profession within three years, DPS is looking for teachers and student service providers who are committed, constant learners, have high expectations, and believe that every child can succeed.
DPS is moving in a positive direction and committed to the strategies outlined in the Denver Plan. However, we are not close to meeting our goals: fewer than 50% of DPS students are proficient in the state's reading measures, and few than 40% are proficient in math and writing. Most sobering is that, in a district where 80% of our students are of color, there is a persistent achievement gap between our African-American and Latino students and their Anglo and Asian-American counterparts.
As an example, below graphs demonstrate the achievement gap trend in writing and science by ethnicity (DPS, 2007-2009).
CSAP Writing Proficiency, 2007-2009
CSAP Science Proficiency, 2007-2009
In an effort to close the achievement gap, DPS' highest areas of need are quality teachers and educators in the following content areas:
- Bilingual English-Spanish teachers
- Math and Science teachers
- High-need Special Education teachers