Parent Involvement

The Denver Public Schools Board of Education believes that the education of each student is a responsibility shared by the school as well as by parents. The Board recognizes the need for a constructive partnership between the district and parents that provides for two-way communication and fosters educational support for students and parents. It is important to recognize that the term "Parent" can also include guardians, grandparents, and other members of a student's family who are involved in the student's education.

In keeping with these beliefs, it is the intention of the Denver Public School District to cultivate and support active parental involvement and to set and realize goals for parent-supported student learning.

To that end, the Denver Public School District will be implementing a Board Policy which will align with requirements set forth by the State of Colorado as well as the No Child Left Behind legislation.

Some of the aspects that this policy will include are as follows:

The District will consult with and encourage parents to share in school planning and in the setting of objectives through participating in building-level accountability committees.

The District will help parents understand the educational process and their role in supporting student achievement.

The District will inform parents of school choices within the district, including but not limited to, information on open enrollment, choice of programs and charter school options.

The District will provide opportunities for parents to be informed about their children's progress toward attaining proficiency on state and district content standards through written materials and public meetings. Information will explain how the student's progress will be measured and how parents will be informed of such progress. This information will also be provided to the building level and district accountability committees.

The District will provide appropriate avenues for parents to find support in their role.

The District will encourage the creation of formal organizations for parents at each school building as well as at the District level. These organizations will receive information concerning District and school activities and will have opportunities for input into District decisions as appropriate.

The Board also recognizes the special importance of parental involvement to the success of its Title I, Migrant Education Program (MEP), and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) programs.

The Office of Community Engagement has organized and coordinated a Parent Involvement Movement in the Denver Public School District. We have assembled a task force comprised of two Board members, high school principals, representatives from the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, community members Community Engagement staff members and DPS parents. For more information about this movement, the task force and the Board Policy, please visit the links below: