Movimiento Poder and Denver Public Schools (DPS) students present:
Education for Liberation
Our students deserve schools that meet their needs and set them up for success. But wherever we turn, we run into elected officials–and a district superintendent–who prioritize expedience and the easy politics of the moment over our wellbeing. That’s why at Movimiento Poder, along with young people, parents, and community members, we are launching Education for Liberation, a campaign demanding urgent changes from our leaders, and placing community members’ needs at the center.
Our work
Student Bill of Rights
For far too long, students haven’t had a seat at a table. This has led to unsafe facilities, barriers to learning, policing in schools, the criminalization of students of color, curriculum that lacks culturally-relevant material, school closures that disproportionately affect students of color, and more. That is why we launched a Student Bill of Rights – a document that outlines that it is that we need from local and state policy makers to take into account when making decisions.
School Grades
We want to know whether your DPS school is providing students with the education they deserve. So instead of the schools giving out grades, we want you to give grades to your school!
School Closures
More information to come.
Youth Congress
More information to come.
MP Lobby Day
More information to come.
Student Bill of Rights
All children and youth in Denver, Colorado have the right to a free, equitable, high-quality preK-12 education in their neighborhood public schools and free college or other post-secondary education. Such education shall be directed at meeting the full range of students’ developmental needs: academic, social, emotional, physical, psychological, and moral. The educational opportunities offered shall be culturally responsive, nurture each student’s unique talents and enthusiasm for learning, and seek to prepare each student to be a critical and creative thinker, a conscientious and compassionate adult, and a responsible and engaged civic participant. All educational opportunities shall also be directed at supporting the liberation of all people and communities by prioritizing equity and centering the needs and experiences of those most directly affected by historical inequities.
Every education policy decision made by local and state policymakers shall be guided by these values and ensure that every child and youth has a full opportunity to such an education, which shall include, at a minimum, the following:
#1 Safe, clean, comfortable, and welcoming facilities
- Buildings and school grounds must be up-to-date, well-functioning, and well-maintained; must include green spaces; must be supportive of teaching and learning; and must demonstrate respect for those who go to school and work there.
#2 An affirming and inclusive learning environment for every student
- All young people must be supported, cared for, and treated with respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, family income level, English language proficiency, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, immigration status, disability, religion, place of residence, or any other aspect of student identity.
#3 Supportive schools that address barriers to learning and other community needs
- Schools must be:
- Staffed to address students’ physical, mental, and behavioral health needs with trauma-informed supports;
- Resourced to provide high-quality before-school, after-school, and year-round learning and enrichment opportunities for students who need them;
- Equipped to provide targeted supports for immigrant families; and
- Able to address any other significant out-of-school learning barriers.
#4 High-quality learning conditions in schools
- Classroom materials, technology, and school libraries must be up-to-date, class sizes must allow for individualized instruction, and students must have daily access to healthy food, exercise, time outside, and opportunities to socialize with their peers.
- School employees must be paid a living wage and treated as professionals.
- Schools must not have law enforcement officers, armed security guards, metal detectors, cameras or other surveillance technologies.
#5 A well-rounded, engaging, culturally relevant, and community-based curriculum that emphasizes real-world learning and community problem-solving
- Students’ education must include science, literature, mathematics, world languages, the arts, social studies, civic education, ethnic/cultural studies, physical education, and social-emotional learning.
#6 Effective teaching provided by qualified, well-trained, and well-supported teachers
- Staff must be provided with the time and resources necessary to plan their lessons, collaborate with colleagues, receive meaningful professional development, and address each student’s particular developmental and academic needs.
- Staff should reflect the demographics and culture of the communities they serve.
#7 A high-quality assessment system
- All assessments must:
- Center authentic learning;
- Give students meaningful opportunities and multiple methods to demonstrate what they know and can do; and
- Improve the teaching and learning process by monitoring progress toward learning objectives, identifying needs, and enabling timely and effective intervention if students experience academic difficulty.
- Standardized test results must NOT be used to punish students, educators, or schools.
#8 Supportive school discipline that supports healthy learning environments
- Disciplinary policies and practices must support student learning and positive school climates through preventive and restorative approaches to disciplinary issues, and must NOT:
- Rely on harsh, punitive, or repressive measures;
- Involve the criminal or juvenile justice system; or
- Use out-of-school suspensions, expulsions, or other measures that exclude students from school unless there are no other alternatives for protecting members of the school community from imminent and significant harm.
- Bullying and harassment must be addressed through comprehensive, age-appropriate prevention and intervention efforts centered around education, support, and remediation.
#9 Community control over the education process
- Students, parents/guardians, and other community members must have meaningful opportunities to participate in school and district decision-making around all issues that affect them.
- Parents and guardians must be provided with meaningful opportunities to participate actively in the educational process.
#10 Meaningful school accountability and transparency
- Students, parents/guardians, and other community members must be provided with high-quality quantitative and qualitative data covering all elements of the Student Bill of Rights.
- There must be a community-based approach to lead school improvement efforts and enforce the Student Bill of Rights.
School Grading
Movimiento Poder believes that all children and youth in Denver have the right to a high-quality and equitable education in their neighborhood public schools. We believe that the educational opportunities offered should be designed around meeting students’ developmental needs and promoting the liberation of all people and communities.
That is why we are asking all DPS students, community members, and parents to fill out our survey. Instead of schools giving out grades, we want you to give grades to your school!
We want to see whether your schools are providing students with the education that they deserve!
