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Policy Platform

As an organization that works with Denver Public Schools (DPS) families, educators, alumni, and advocates, our work is grounded in listening to the community, learning what public education issues they care about the most deeply, and empowering communities to take the lead in the policy decisions that impact them.

Since 2022, we have conducted an extensive listening campaign, engaging more than 8,575 Denver families, educators, alumni, and community members. Through our Kitchen Table Survey, LEARN Campaign and community polling, we heard perspectives from every neighborhood across our city.

Our data and findings were used to create a community-informed policy platform that prioritizes issues and solutions that resonate with the diverse experiences and perspectives of Denverites. Through this agenda, we aim to address systemic inequities, promote quality and opportunity, and foster a more inclusive and responsive public education system.

Policy Platform

Principle 1: We seek a reality where every child in Denver—no matter their race, ethnicity, identity, family income, or zip code—has access to a high quality public education that honors their inherent greatness.
All students have access to the resources and experiences they need to receive an equitable education and achieve success.
Families are partners in their students’ educational journeys and have access to high-quality public school options that meet their students’ unique needs.
Educators are holistically supported in the critical work they do supporting students and families in their school communities.
District leaders relentlessly pursue ambitious academic growth that accelerates student learning, provides adequate resources and supports that address holistic student and educator well-being, fosters collaboration across their school communities, and invites accountability to the communities they serve.
School District Board Members set a clear vision for student success, create policies that guide the district towards that vision, and ensure financial resources are appropriately aligned.
Principle 2: We seek to reposition the community as power brokers in public education in Denver.

Students’ holistic development and academic success are at the heart of every policy discussion and decision.

Families are authentically engaged in the decisions that impact the lives of their students and communities.

Educators are empowered as professionals with the necessary autonomies to best serve their students and families.

District leaders operate with transparency and in good faith as holders of critical expertise, data, and historical knowledge.

School Board Members model how to authentically engage communities most impacted by policy decisions in the co-creation and implementation of policy solutions.

Theory of Change

Denver Families has the radical belief that the answers to the challenges we’re facing in public education already exist in our community; all policymakers need to do is listen. Community voice is not solely an input to our work, it is the foundation of our strategy.

If:

We build relationships directly with families, teachers, and community members;

We bring those stakeholders together to have meaningful conversations about the education issues they care about the most;

We elevate those issues to policymakers and hold them accountable to community’s demands;

We develop pipelines of current and future education leaders who are committed to reimagining public education in Denver by centering community voice in their policy making;

We are centered in educational equity and have a strong understanding of the continued impact of oppressive systems;

We allow our community engagement work to shape both the education system and Denver Families

Then:

The grassroots, civic, and political conditions in Denver will align to ensure that every child will have access to a high quality public education that honors their greatness.

For more information, read the 2024-2026
Policy Platform Executive Summary.