COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
OFFICE OF SPECIAL SERVICES

1560 Broadway, Suite 1450' Denver, Colorado 80202-5149 303.866.6600 . 303.866.6782 .

Dear Parents/Guardians of Students in Denver Public Schools,

NCLB requires that every school or district that receives funds under NCLB Title I (federal funds for Low income students) meet specific academic goals in reading and math each year as measured by the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP). School and district performance toward meeting those goals is called Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). The Colorado Department of Education annually reviews the performance of each school district that receives funds under NCLB Title I. To make AYP, districts must meet assessment participation and performance targets in reading and math for all applicable subgroups of children in the district (race/ethnicity, low income, special needs, etc.) See the attached information sheet for more information regarding Adequate Yearly Progress.

Based on assessment results from 2004-2005, if a district did not make AYP in the same content area (reading or math) for two consecutive years it must develop a plan to address those areas. Denver Public Schools has an approved plan on file at the district and is available upon request.

Depending on its size, a district can be required to make up to 153 targets. If just one target is not met, the district must develop a plan to meet that target. Denver Public Schools made 119 out of 153 AYP targets in 2004-2005. For additional information regarding the district's targets and subgroups see the attached page titled District AYP Data. For any questions regarding this data or for a copy of the district's plan please contact your district representative listed at the end of this letter.

Of the 181 school districts in Colorado, 64 districts have not made Adequate Yearly Progress in the areas of reading and/or math as measured by CSAP and CSAP A for two years in a row and have to develop a plan to address those areas. Most districts that have been identified as not making AYP are larger school districts that have more diverse student populations and, consequently, more targets to reach. It is important to note that not making AYP does not mean that the district is failing. In fact, most school districts are reaching the majority of the targets. Rather, the intent of this process is to recommend an added focus on instruction for particular groups of children in a particular content where they are not meeting the state goals.

As a district that did not make AYP, Denver Public Schools will:

Consult with parents and school staff when writing or revising the Program Improvement Plan. The plan explains how the district will use Title I and other funds to improve student achievement in the areas identified.

Reserve at least 10 percent of its annual Title I allocation to provide professional development for teachers and administrators tied to the areas where the district did not meet its targets
Continue to provide assistance to any schools identified for improvement under NCLB. How can parents help their school district make AYP?

Here are some suggestions to help you support your school and your school district.

1. Learn more about the new NCLB requirements. Become aware of strategies to improve student academic achievement. Information and resources are available at the following Web sites: The Colorado Department of Education http://www.cde.state.co.us/fedprograms/nclb/parents.asp The U.S. Department of Education www.ed.gov and http://www.ed.gov/parents/landing?src=fp

2. Talk with district staff about the Program Improvement Plan to help students in making AYP in reading and mathematics.

3. Review Denver's new instructional reform plan online at http://thedenverplan.dpskI2.org and to e­mail comments and suggestions to thedenverplan@dpskI2.org. "The Denver Plan" - currently in a review process - is built to achieve three main goals:

Our children will learn from a highly skilled faculty in every school; teachers will have access to robust training and real-time assessment data to help them better evaluate the progress children are making during the school year.

Highly trained principals and assistant principals will serve as instructional leaders in Denver schools. Collaboration among the Denver community and all DPS stakeholders will support a safe, orderly and enriching environment in every school and classroom.

4. Become involved in your school's Collaborative School Committee that works on improving student achievement. You are encouraged to actively participate in the entire collaborative process - or to attend these meetings when key decisions are made. To find out more, call your school.

5. Make sure your child attends school regularly.

6. Contact you child's teacher regarding ways you can support your child's academic progress.

You are encouraged to contact the person listed below for further information about any of these requirements and to find out how you can become involved these efforts.

Nancy Connor

nancy _ connor@dpskI2.org

Sincerely,

Patrick Chapman

Director, Consolidated Federal Programs Colorado Department of Education