Do APS Innovation School Plans Consider Children With Disabilities?
By Hanni Raley, Director of Systems Advocacy Arc of Aurora | hraley@thearcofaurora.org
In October of 2015, Aurora Public Schools (APS) began the first phases of a major overhaul to
address the lack of substantial student achievement, specifically in specific schools and “feeder” school locations. This process, initiated as part of APS’ Strategic Plan “2020: Shaping the Future”, combined Turn Around efforts required by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), focused on building upon school and district strengths, while simultaneously addressing underlying challenges.
APS has continued work on the development of one specific Zone, titled “Aurora Community-Based Transformation, Innovation and Opportunity Network” Zones, or ACTION Zones. Five schools opted into participating the in the ACTION Zone, which include Central High School, Aurora West College Preparatory Academy, Boston K-8, Crawford Elementary, and Paris Elementary.
Each school was charged with working with staff, students, parents, and community partners to develop Innovation plans that uniquely address each school’s innovative goals for redesign to remove real or perceived barriers, and to dramatically and quickly improve learning opportunities and student achievement.
These plans were publically announced in Mid-February online and via a community meeting, offering families and interested parties a chance to review and submit feedback.
Find the plans and survey links here under the “School Innovation Plans” tab.
APS currently plans to present the Innovation Plans to the Board of Education in March. If the Board approves the plans, we will likely present them to the State Board of Education this spring. If approved by all parties, the new plans will go into effect for the 2016-17 school year.
The Arc of Aurora has looked through each plan with the lens of our community (students with disabilities), who often require unique methodology to increase learning and achievement. Though we have participated in the Zone Design Team meetings, community/public meetings and discussions, as well as staying current on the process, we remain concerned that schools are unable to answer our general question of “how will these plans impact students with disabilities”, let alone our more specific questions regarding processes, curriculum, and accommodations/supports. As such, we have sent the following questions via the survey link to APS and each school.
While we understand no document can cover all needed areas of focus, we believe that due to the large percentage of students requiring Special Education Supports (between 6-14% at any given school), along with Federal and State protections for students with disabilities, the plans should have at a minimum had a more deliberative approach to assuring consideration of their needs and the implementation of such measures.
School turnaround efforts greatly challenge the status quo and significantly impact a wide variety of audiences, including school administrators, teachers, families, and community members. As you read the plans, what are the areas that excite you? What is missing? Be sure to submit YOUR feedback today!
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