Coming together for accountable schools

By Cristina FrésquezEl SemanarioAugust 20, 2009The Campaign for Accountable Public Schools convened on Tuesday in front of the Denver Public School headquarters for a press conference to launch their campaign to draw attention to the needs of Latino and other minority students, and families in the public school system, by collecting 30,000 pledges during a three month period before the school board elections. The Campaign is designed to promote the fact that students, families and communities served by public schools are in control of their education system.
The partner organizations of the Campaign for Accountable Public Schools, Latina Initiative, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR) and Padres y Jovenes Unidos, have already begun going door-to-door in target neighborhoods to inform families and the community about the campaign and to engage them in the DPS School Board elections coming up in November.
“I read the pledge and think it’s very, very inspiring - the focus here on academic achievement for all of our students, giving all of our students the opportunity to study, work hard and the opportunity to go to college. To make sure that it is equal to all of our students – regardless of income status, their ethnicity, the language they speak, where they live. Accountability for all of our schools, the health education component, and the emphasis on being family centered,” stated DPS Superintendent Tom Boasberg.
“I’m absolutely delighted to sign this pledge.”
The community pledges have five main demands for DPS improvement including, academic achievement, because public school students have a right to college preparatory education; equal opportunity, because DPS should equitably distribute services, programs, and opportunities to all students regardless of race, income or legal status; health, because all students should have access to health education, prevention and counseling services and that comprehensive, evidence-based sexuality education is a part of any health education program; family-centered, because schools should be accessible and friendly to all families; student discipline, because students learn best in asafe environment where school discipline protects the dignity of the student and keeps them learning in school; and accountability for administrators, schools and educators in order to raise academic achievement.
“It’s critical when Denver Public Schools have some of the highest teen pregnancy rates in our state, to make sure that there is sexuality education curriculum and make sure that if our students wish to have access to contraceptives in schools, they can bring that to the school board. To make sure that we are fully utilizing the school based health centers that exist, which will lead to healthier students and a healthier community,” explained Kenia Morales, Organizational Development Coordinator for COLOR.
Sophomore Amber Mendoza from South High School described her personal experience, where she was lucky enough to have algebra offered in eighth grade with the intent to enter Advanced Placement (AP) classes in high school. However, her hopes of AP classes were taken away from her as she was required to re-take algebra, rendering her unprepared for these advanced educational opportunities.
“We understand that education is integral to the success and advancement of not only Latina/o children, but all children and families served by the public school system throughout the state,” commented Dusti Gurule, Exec. Dir. of Latina Initiative.
Upcoming forums include: District 2 School Board Candidate Forum, October 8 at 6pm, Lincoln High School; and General School Board Candidate and Election Information Forum, October 21 at 6pm, Mi Casa Resource Center.
For more information, or to volunteer, contact a partner organization at www.colorlatina.org, www.latinainitiative.org or www.padresunidos.org.