Melanie Asmar
Chalkbeat Colorado
Denver, CO, United States
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Past articles by Melanie:
Some Denver mayoral candidates want more city voice in public schools
The Denver mayoral election comes at a time when interpersonal conflicts on the school board and rising youth violence have made headlines. Here’s what the candidates are saying about the role the mayor should have in running the city’s schools. → Read More
At gun violence summit, East High students ask for solutions
At a student-organized forum at East High, officials said they’re pursuing stricter gun control measures, but it will take more than laws to curb gun violence. → Read More
Denver superintendent expected to recommend closing 3 small schools
Fairview Elementary, Math and Science Leadership Academy, and Denver Discovery School could close at the end of this school year if the school board agrees. → Read More
A Denver charter school teacher’s push to start a union could set precedent
A teacher at KIPP Northeast Denver Leadership Academy has appealed a dismissal of his bid to start a charter teachers union. The outcome could set a precedent for the state. → Read More
Denver East High student shot outside school has died, police said
Luis Garcia was the second student shot outside East High this school year. → Read More
Denver school board pay could increase to as much as $33,000 per year
The Denver school board could take up a proposal next month to pay members $150 a day up to five days per week except in July. → Read More
Gun violence is rising. Two leaders say Denver schools and police need a new relationship.
After a student was shot outside East High School, two former principals are renewing their call for a better relationship between Denver schools and police. → Read More
Two new Denver school board redistricting maps cause concern among community groups
Denver Public Schools must redraw the boundaries of its school board districts to balance uneven population growth. But community groups have concerns. → Read More
East High student seriously injured in shooting near school, classes canceled Tuesday
A 16-year-old student at East High School was shot and seriously injured near the school. Denver Superintendent Alex Marrero has called gun violence his top concern. → Read More
Redistricting: Denver is redrawing its school board district boundaries and wants feedback
The redistricting process is underway. DPS is seeking feedback on four potential maps. The school board is set to pick one in March. → Read More
A once-segregated Denver school fights to stay integrated 50 years after historic court order
Fifty years ago, the Denver lawsuit Keyes v. School District No. 1 became the first desegregation case in a major city outside of the South to make it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. → Read More
Guns in schools are up, and Denver superintendent says violence is his top concern
Data shows the number of guns and other weapons found in Denver schools or confiscated from students is up since before the pandemic. → Read More
A once-segregated Denver school fights to stay integrated 50 years after historic court order
The Keyes case led to widespread busing, which ended in the 1990s. Afterward, many Denver schools resegregated. Here’s how one school is fighting to stay integrated. → Read More
The Denver school board votes to close a charter school for low test scores
Denver’s second-largest charter network will shrink by two schools after the Denver school board voted to close one and the network opted to surrender the charter at another. → Read More
Colorado looks to stem the closure of schools for students with intense needs
Many facility schools for students with behavioral, mental health, or special education needs can’t afford to stay open. State lawmakers are looking for solutions. → Read More
Denver officials recommend closing STRIVE Prep
The Denver superintendent is recommending STRIVE Prep - Kepner charter middle school be closed for low test scores. The school board will vote Jan. 12. → Read More
Denver Public Schools ordered to lift ban on outspoken critic Brandon Pryor
A federal court judge has ordered Denver Public Schools to lift its ban on Brandon Pryor, saying the district likely violated Pryor’s First Amendment right. → Read More
Martha Urioste fought for bilingual education, brought Montessori to Denver public schools
Denver educator Martha Urioste died Dec. 8. She spent decades fighting for bilingual education and brought Montessori to Denver’s public schools. → Read More
Denver board OKs moving HBCU-style Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy to new building with space to grow
The school will move from a converted office building to the former Barrett Elementary. → Read More
Denver Public Schools’ reforms boosted student learning, new study finds
The overall academic results of the reforms were positive, the study found. But the methodology makes it hard to tell how different groups of students fared. → Read More