Author Archives: axooms

SchoolChoice and the Marriage Problem

Posted on October 16, 2012 by axooms

One of the biggest changes last year in DPS was the implementation of the SchoolChoice program, which matches candidates with schools by using an efficient algorithm so that there are no two students who would trade places. That this was … Continue reading →

Posted in Engagement, Fiscal & Economic, Innovation, Whimsy | Leave a comment

The contortions of Arturo Jimenez

Posted on October 15, 2012 by axooms

DPS Board Member Arturo Jimenez contributed an Op-Ed to Sunday’s Denver Post in which he explained his rationale for opposing the upcoming Bond.  Mr. Jimenez stressed that the largest problem he sees in DPS is the chronic underachievement of Denver’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Charter Schools, District Performance, Fiscal & Economic, Poverty, School Performance | 2 Comments

Pensions Matter (even if they bore you)

Posted on October 13, 2012 by axooms

An insightful Donnell-Kay Hot Lunch on Friday focused on pensions [update: see this piece and linked podcast].  Now I think pensions are pretty important, but I understand why eyes glaze over when the topic arises. And even if you don’t get … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiscal & Economic, Teacher Compensation | 5 Comments

Teacher Attrition in Charter Schools

Posted on October 2, 2012 by axooms

One of the traditional complaints about charter schools is that they have high teacher turnover.  Particularly when hired through alternative channels (such as Teach for America), many critics believe – and several studies have borne out – that charter teachers … Continue reading →

Posted in Charter Schools, Teacher Preparation | Tagged | 1 Comment

Denver’s 2012 SPF: Watch the Spin

Posted on September 24, 2012 by axooms

Denver Public Schools has released its 2012 School Performance Framework (SPF) (although it’s not yet on the website). There is a lot of data, but I find there is a useful shorthand to compare progress. For when you look at … Continue reading →

Posted in District Performance | 7 Comments

Chicago’s other problem: Pensions

Posted on September 24, 2012 by axooms

The deep sigh of relief to have resolution in the CTU teacher strike may be short-lived, as this article in the New York Times points out: The Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund has about $10 billion in assets, but is paying out more than … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiscal & Economic | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Talking Dog of Denver’s ProComp

Posted on September 21, 2012 by axooms

The CTU strike has renewed a conversation about teacher compensation, and the issue of performance pay (which did not survive the windy city negotiations).  Unfortunately most of the discussion lumps all changes to the standard salary ladder of traditional districts … Continue reading →

Posted in Innovation, Teacher Compensation, Teacher Unions | Tagged | 1 Comment