What is AEAC?
AEAC is an acronym for Asian Education Advisory Council.  The council was established under court order on January 31, 1985, by the Denver Public Schools Board of Education.

AEAC works to improve educational opportunities and to provide quality education for all students in general, and Asian students in particular.

The council consists of diverse Asian ethnic representatives - 14 community professionals and parents, plus 7 Denver Public Schools certified educators, including the coordinator of the council.

What are the educational commitments of AEAC?
The long-term educational commitments of the council are-

• To function as a communication link between the Asian community and the Denver Public Schools
• To advise and make recommendations to the Board of Education and the Superintendent
• To communicate the needs of students, parents, and the community to the Denver Public Schools
• To identify and assess research that has application to Asian students and the community
• To act on behalf of the educational interests of Asian students, parents employees and community
• To assist the school district in developing programs to increase parent education and involvement
• To identify needed programs on the basis of school district statistics, policies and community concerns
• To relate the policies, programs, and activities of the Denver Public Schools to the community
• To evaluate the effectiveness and annual achievement of the council
• To report to the Denver Public Schools' Board of Education

What do council members do?
Members of AEAC-

• Meet regularly on the second Wednesday evening of each month
• Visit schools and attend school-community activities
• Mediate problems that may arise in the schools
• Plan school-community forums
• Refer parents to resources, schools, counselors, or administrators as necessary
• Recognize students, teachers, parents, volunteers, administrators and individuals in the Denver Public Schools and the community through district-wide annual AEAC Awards program
• Present annual reports to the Board of Education

How is the council structured?
In March of each year, the Board of Education calls for nominations of community members.  Nominations must be received by the Board prior to the regular legislative meeting in April.  Nomination forms are distributed annually to as many interested groups and Asian ethnic community organizations as necessary to ensure meaningful participation.

The council annually elects a chairman, vice-chairman and other officers as needed.  All officers are appointed members of the council, and the chairman and vice-chairman must be community members of the council.

What are the qualifications for an AEAC appointment?
Consideration is given to the following criteria when selecting individuals for membership on the council-
(Board of Education Resolution 2260)

• Interest in improving educational opportunities of the children
• Sincere interest in the welfare of children and in quality education
• Community involvement
• Knowledge of components of the community
• Flexibility (ability to consider alternative courses of action)
• Ability to function effectively as a team member, as well as a leader
• Ability to stimulate orthers to become interested and involved

Any vacancy that occurs during a term may be filled by the president of the Board of Education.  Members so-appointed will serve for the remainder of the term.

What events and activities are sponsored by AEAC?
AEAC holds annual awards ceremonies to recognize students for their outstanding academic achievement and leadership qualities.  AEAC also honors teachers, administrators, parents, para-professionals and community volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to children of Denver.

In addition, AEAC joins other advisory councils to organize school-community information-exchange forums during the school year.

What are some AEAC highlights?

• The AEAC Annual Awards program takes place in May and has drawn 350-500 parents, teachers and students each of the past 19 years. Students are honored for their outstanding academic achievement as well as their leadership qualities.  In addition to student awards, AEAC also recognizes teachers, counselors, para-professionals, administrators, parents, and community volunteers for their outstanding contributions and service to children.
• The council developed and produced a pamphlet of "School Questions Made Easy for Parents and Community".  The purpose of this pamphlet was to assist the parents and citizens in school-community inservice training.
• AEAC has sponsored numerous educational workshops and community lecture series and provided necessary research studies for parents and teachers' inservice training in Denver and sometimes in other nearby school districts.
• AEAC annually refers approximately 150 parents and 90 students to appropriate schools and government offices for various reasons, ranging from schools-of-choice to citizenship lessons or social services.
• The council assists the school district in coordinating school visitations for students and teachers from Asia studying about urban education in Colorado.
• AEAC distributed thousands of educational brochures and flyers anually at school-community information-exchange programs
• AEAC devotes an average of 120 hours per school year reviewing scientific studies, periodicals and other printed materials on Asian education and parental involvement.  The information has been widely distributed to schools and community organizations that requested it.
• AEAC was actively involved and participated in nearly all major community events.

The continued growth and support from numerous organizations and individuals from the community is reflected in the commitment and leadership of AEAC.  It is a great source of pride that more than 12 different Asian ethnic groups who comprise the Asian Education Advisory Council work together and are entrusted with bringing the concerns and recommendations of the community to the Board of Education.

How often does AEAC meet?

AEAC usually meets on the second Wednesday of each month at the DPS Administration Building, 900 Grant Street in room 108 from 5:30-7:30 PM.

Email AEAC