College Prep for All ~ Middle School Reform

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A Strong Public Education System is the Cornerstone
of Equality, Justice and a Democratic Society!

Padres & Jovenes Unidos strongly believes that ALL students have the right to an excellent, college-preparatory education. For two decades now, Padres & Jovenes Unidos has been organizing for educational justice in the Denver Metro Area. We continue our work today because even with some improvements over the years, there is still major systemic failure.

While educators, policy makers and politicians have been and continue to launch a sea of reform efforts at local, state and national levels, still only 69 out of 100 ninth graders graduate four years later nationwide (EPE 2009). In Denver Public Schools, just 53% of entering ninth graders in the class of 2008-09 graduated four years later (CDE), a rate much lower than the state's and nation's rate.

For low-income students of color, the odds are far worse. Only 46 out of 100 Latino students, 56 out of 100 Black students and 32 out of 100 Native American students graduated in 2009.

The numbers speak for themselves - we are loosing the majority of our low-income students and students of color. For this reason, our college prep for all campaign focuses on closing the middle grades academic achievement gap.

WHY MIDDLE SCHOOL?

Education is Liberation:   Padres & Jóvenes Unidos believes that all students deserve a quality education that prepares them for college and beyond.  In Denver Public Schools, approximately 70% of all middle school students entering North, Montbello, Lincoln and West High Schools, the majority of which are students of color, are two to three years below grade level in their core classes (based on CSAP scores). As profound as this problem is, there is hope. Several middle schools, with more than 90% of their students qualifying for free & reduced lunch and significant numbers of English language learners, are now some of the highest performing middle schools in the District. They are defying deep-rooted beliefs about low-income students of color. Padres & Jóvenes Unidos is calling on Denver Public Schools to replicate these best practices in low-performing middle schools to close the achievement gap now. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL ACTION PLAN PLATFORM

1.    Longer school day and year and more learning time: High achieving middle schools utilize an extended school day and year.  This additional time, excellent instruction, and double-blocks of math and literacy classes allow for students to reach grade level and beyond in middle school.  Padres Unidos calls for high-quality instruction throughout the district over a lengthened day and year. 

2.    Timely data and prompt academic interventions: Using timely data to monitor student progress and teacher effectiveness is a critical component of highly effective middle schools.  Data driven instruction enables schools to quickly identify and address needed interventions for both students and teachers.  Effective interventions must be implemented weekly and data evaluated monthly to see significant results.  Academic interventions must be performed by the most qualified teachers and not by volunteers.

3.    College preparatory curriculum and culture: Middle school students must have access to high-quality English and mathematics courses throughout middle school, including 8th grade Algebra, in order to have a sound college preparatory academic foundation for high school.  Our middle schools, including K-8 schools, must embrace and promote college going expectations and culture for all students, regardless of income or race.

4.    Highly effective principals and teachers: Research demonstrates that principal and teacher quality is the key element in improving student performance.  Successful schools have principals and teachers who are effective, have high expectations and commitment to their students.  Teachers held accountable for growth in their classroom must be given support and professional development in a timely ongoing basis, including increased classroom observations, data driven instruction and meaningful feedback.

5. Student Engagement: Student access to the arts, sports and music to realize their full potential and joy.

While we are focusing on middle school reform, we know that these reforms if implemented well at the high school level can also have radical results in preparing all students for college and beyond.

Download our report and platform for more info.

For more information or to get involved with our Middle School Reform Campaign, contact Sheila Keller at (303) 458-6545 or sheila@padresunidos.org.