DENVER Since 1926
ALL THE HITS:
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February 2, 2017
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The Colorado Ballet presents Ballet MasterWorks
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DENVER, COLORADO
A publication of
Graduation rates on the rise at DPS Local district among those in metro area showing improvement BY NICHOLAS GARCIA AND YESENIA ROBLES CHALKBEAT.ORG
Justin Everett, who represents state House District 22 in south Jefferson County, said, “I am a product of school choice.” Everett talked about moving from New York to Colorado as a child and having a hard time finding a school that could meet his needs as a gifted student. “I ended up being the poor kid in a private school...” Everett said. “We wouldn’t watch TV at night to save money. We had one light on by the kitchen table, where my mom would read a library book and my dad would read the paper and I would do my homework. That’s what my parents would do to cut
Colorado’s four-year high school graduation rate reached a six-year high last year, with some area districts — including Denver Public Schools — that serve at-risk students showing marked improvement and others taking steps back. The on-time graduation rate for the class of 2016 was 78.9 percent, according to data released in January by the state education department. That’s a 1.6 percentage point jump from the previous year. The state’s dropout rate also improved, falling by 0.2 percentage points. All told, 584 fewer students dropped out in 2015-16 than in the previous school year. The state’s graduation gap between students of color and white students also narrowed slightly for the sixth consecutive year. The four-year graduation rate for students of color was 71.9 percent, an increase of 1.7 percentage points from last year. The graduation rate for white students in 2016 was 84.4 percent. “The news is encouraging for the state and shows the continued dedicated commitment of students, parents, teachers and school staff,” Education Commissioner Katy Anthes said in a statement. “It is motivating that we are moving in the right direction as we all strive to have students graduate prepared for life after high school, whether that is in college or careers.”
SEE CHOICE, P6
SEE GRADUATION, P5
Supporters of school choice gather at the steps of the capital in Denver Jan.26 as part of National School Choice week. MIKE DIFERDINANDO
Capitol rally promotes school choice Similar events took place around the country BY MIKE DIFERDINANDO MDIFERDINANDO@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Jordan Smith, a fifth-grade student at Golden View Classical Academy, stood on the steps of the state Capitol and spoke about her school and the opportunities it provides. She said she likes the books they read at her school in Golden, including “Sherlock Holmes and The Secret Garden.” She called her education “a gift.” “It’s perfect for me,” she said.
Smith was one of hundreds of people from around Colorado who gathered in Denver to advocate for school choice Jan. 26. The rally was in support of National School Choice Week. Similar events took place around the country. School choice advocates support empowering parents to choose the right school for their children. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, online learning, private schools and homeschooling, according to the National School Choice Week website. Supporters held signs and wore yellow scarves to show unity.
THE BOTTOM LINE PERIODICAL
“I started developing the bill before the election results. I started thinking about it in September, after hearing some of the rhetoric from Donald Trump.” State Rep. Joe Salazar | D-Thornton | P2 INSIDE
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LIFE: PAGE 6 VOLUME 90 | ISSUE 15