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DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO CREATE NEW PROGRAM

FOR STUDENTS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Denver Public Schools will implement a new program of instruction for students with limited or no English language skills, under an agreement reached today with the Justice Department, private plaintiffs and the Denver Public Schools.

Today's agreement, which must be approved by the U.S. District Court in Denver, requires the public school system to implement a revised transitional language program that incorporates a number important instructional tools, including, native language instruction and English as a Second Language techniques.

The Justice Department became involved in this case in 1997, after the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) conducted an extensive investigation into Denver's program and found that Denver was not appropriately serving students with limited English language skills. OCR then referred the matter to the Justice Department. Since that time, all parties have been working toward resolving this matter.

"Education is the key to opportunity," said Bill Lann Lee, Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. "This agreement ensures that all children will have an opportunity to share in the American dream."

The new program establishes a three year goal for transitioning students into classroom environments where English is the primary language of instruction. Students who do not progress sufficiently after three years can remain in the program and will continue to receive services. For those students, the district will determine where additional support is needed and will develop a plan to help each student progress.

The progress of students who are exited from the program will be closely monitored and students may be returned to the program if necessary.

As part of today's settlement, the United States will intervene as a plaintiff in the CHE v. Denver Public Schools litigation, an ongoing private lawsuit which, in 1983, the court found that students with limited or no English language skills were being denied appropriate educational and language support. All parties will request court approval of a consent decree which embodies today's agreement.

Under the new plan, students will participate in a three phased program that is ultimately designed to place them in mainstream English environments.

The agreement also requires the district to:

• develop a process for identifying gifted and talented English language learners;

• ensure that students with disabilities have access to appropriate language services;

• train teachers to identify and respond to language barriers;

• establish a recruitment plan to ensure that there is a sufficient number of fully qualified teachers; and, create an Instructional Services Advisory Team in each school to make recommendations regarding program entry, exit, and services.

The agreement will also require the district to conduct annual reviews and provide reports on the implementation and effectiveness of the program. Changes will be made to support high student achievement where appropriate.

"It's time to focus on the classroom not the courtroom" added Mr. Lee. "This settlement enables us to concentrate on providing quality education to schoolchildren in Denver through the implementation of this program."

Finally, the parties have agreed that an independent monitor, Dr. Ernest House, from the University of Colorado at Boulder, will review the district's efforts for three years, and report on the implementation of the program.

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