Since July 29th, Superintendent Fagen, Board Members and other high level administrators of Douglas County School District have been dishonest in their dealings with the public in countless meetings with parents, school accountability committees, principals, teachers and community members. Whether by omission or outright lies, the public has been told emphatically in emails, newsletters and meetings that the district is seeking assessment waivers only for the Read Act affecting grades K-3. The following timeline will show that was never true. High schools and middle schools were approached to start the process in early August, and they are still being asked to apply for innovation status.;xNLx;;xNLx;In addition, before sending out PR-laden Newsletters to more than 80,000 people that touted the benefits of the assessment waivers for the READ Act, the district had been told that the Attorney General had deemed this waiver to be against state laws. Armed with this knowledge, Dr. Fagen and her cabinet intentionally misled the public and strong armed schools and school accountability committees to pursue the waivers. Not once did Superintendent Fagen, anyone in the administration or any board member disclose that it was not even possible to pursue these waivers under state law. Why wouldn't the truth be disclosed as soon as the district was notified?;xNLx;;xNLx;At the same time, we learn that DCSD officials met with Falcon School District officials to learn how to obtain innovation status. Falcon's innovation program has eliminated external oversight over curriculum, wellness programs, class size, teacher and principal certification, hiring and firing procedures. They have also eliminated bus transportation for students. Interesting that DCSD would look to this district for guidance when all they were pursuing was assessment waivers. By the way, most of Falcons scores are still below average in Colorado.
Rob Ross, attorney for DCSD, notifies the state BoE of the district's intent to file for assessment waivers, "as of this writing". They intend to propose: A) local system of assessments fulfilling the READ Act; and B) local system of assessments to include a combination of currently-approved statewide assessments and locally developed ones, that will provide flexibility for the district.
Kelly Rosensweet of the CDE replies: "Thank you for reaching out regarding DCSD’s intent to pursue Innovation Status.” Rosensweet provided information on process. District plans to present at September State Board of Ed meeting with August 25 submission deadline.
Rob Ross presents an update to the board during their retreat regarding assessment waivers. From the retreat minutes: "At the request of the Board and direction of Dr. Fagen, Legal Counsel Rob Ross met with Peter Hilts of the Falcon School District, primary users of the innovation status statute. Mr. Ross summarized the waivers, which empower school sites, adopted by the Falcon School District. Dr. Fagen presented an update on the state assessment waivers. One waiver allows the District to employ its own version of the READ Act, which the District believes is better for students, has better plans and assessments and is more rigorous and aligned with what our teachers would like to do. The second waiver empowers school districts, if their assessment model meets or exceeds the state model, to use their own tool. The waiver also asks for parents to have the right to opt out of assessments, if they so choose, without penalty to the teacher, school and district."
Cimarron Middle School principal refers to a conversation he had with Steve Cook (Asstistant Superintendent) "about the assessment waiver".
Steve Cook notifies Principals of Legend High School and Mountain Ridge Middle School, “we have to submit our proposals to CDE soon.”
Attorney Rob Ross asks to submit the packet for review prior to the Board of Education's passing of a resolution. He asks to submit without “our Board’s official resolution from their next meeting scheduled for September 2nd”
Kelly Rosensweet at CDE notifies Rob Ross that the district's plan is currently incomplete without all required documents. Rob Ross will “shoot for October” now.
Ted Knight, Assistant Superintendent, contacts Clear Sky Elementary Principal “Would CSE be interested in a READ Act waiver that gives you flexibility in assessments, frequency of assessments, and not having to write multiple plans for students?”
District provided draft assessment waiver spreadsheet to Castle View High School PRIOR to the BoE passing the resolution.
During the DCSD Board of Education meeting, the BoE passes the Resolution: Assessment Waiver via the Innovation Schools Act of 2008. The resolution was not available for public viewing until one hour before the meeting start time.
CVHS Principal confirms they are seeking waivers
Douglas County Parents Issues a Media Release outlining very serious concerns related to the Innovation Schools Act and the Assessment Waivers being pursued by the district.
Assistant Superintendent, Ted Knight, emails Clear Sky Elementary, “Do we have documentation of staff and SAC yet?”
Dr. Fagen sends an email directly to parents promoting the Resolution regarding obtaining an assessment waiver via the Innovation Schools Act.
Strong Schools Coalition files a petition requesting the district conduct public forums to garner feedback on the Assessment Waivers via Innovation Schools Act.
Parents of Copper Mesa Elementary meet with Dr. Fagen. Click Link below for audio of the meeting.
Colorado Department of Education Commissioner Hammond emailed Fagen (approx 4pm) and copied the Attorney General's office, referenced their conversation “this morning”, and stated, “the State Board is not statutorily authorized to waive compliance with the READ Act.”
DCSD releases Newsline email to parents and community members in the late afternoon with a section promoting Innovation Waivers from CDE .
The DCSD communications department issues "rest of the story" webpage which tries to spin the facts put out by community group
At the Highlands Ranch High School SAC, Steven Cook (Assistant Superintendent) states multiple times this assessment waiver is the only mechanism to reduce testing and he emphasizes the district is pursuing READ Act only.
At the Clear Sky Elementary SAC, Ted Knight states multiple times this assessment waiver is the only mechanism available to reduce testing, emphasized READ Act only.
In a Lone Tree Voice article, district says it is just a “difference of [legal] opinion” with the CDE regarding the use of assessment waivers via Innovation Schools Act.
For the past 2 months, high level administrators of Douglas County School District have been dishonest in their dealings with the public in countless meetings with parents, school accountability committees, principals, teachers and community members. Why? What's their real motive?
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