Thread by @MelanieAsmar

The @DPSNewsNow school board last night pared down a controversial proposal that would limit some schools' autonomy in order to bolster teacher job protections ahead of a vote Thursday. Here's what is - and isn't - in the simplified proposal. 🧵 #edcolo

The simplified version of the proposal:

Strikes standardizing the school calendar. Opposition to this idea was widespread because schools tailor their calendars to their communities' needs. One example: a school that serves Muslim students taking Islamic holidays off.

Strikes all references to compensation. The board decided to delay the conversation about compensation in part so it could include all employees. Board Vice President Tay Anderson said he’d like to raise pay for hourly workers to $20 an hour.

Strikes examples of how the superintendent should create a supportive working environment for teachers - such as a 40-hour work week and a ban on busywork - leaving those details to be negotiated with the teachers union.

Requires all innovation schools to abide by the teachers union contract and the state law that grants teachers non-probationary status after three years of effective ratings. Teachers w/ non-probationary status have job protections if laid off and due process if fired.

Still allows innovation schools the flexibility to hire non-licensed teachers to teach non-core subjects. Board members cited examples such as a school with a garden hiring a farmer who is not a licensed teacher to teach students about growing food.

Allows more flexibility, including from the teachers union contract, for innovation schools with low test scores that face state sanctions if they don’t show academic improvement.

Read more in my story today: co.chalkbeat.org/2022/3/21/2299… #edcolo