News Release
February 28, 2006
Transformation Of Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School Into Early College Model Is Theme Of March Edition Of "DPS Today" Television Show
The March 2006 edition of "DPS Today," the monthly television show about Denver Public Schools on Denver cable 8, takes a close-up look at the reforms at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, which is in the process of reforming as an Early College.
In 2003, Denver voters set the school revitalization process in motion by overwhelmingly approving a $20 million mill levy election. Out of that total, $2.5 million was earmarked for school revitalization and the Board of Education selected 13 schools to receive additional resources to support reform.
One of those 13 schools was Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School.
About a year ago, the northeast area superintendent's office brought the revitalization plan forward to the Board of Education. The plan was developed with significant community input and it recommended that MLK expand the grade levels it serves and become an early college. That transition is now set to begin, with Martin Luther King Jr. Early College preparing to add ninth graders beginning in August 2006. An additional grade level will be added each year until the school enrolls students from sixth through twelfth grades.
The Early College plan was developed by students, teachers, City Councilman Michael Hancock, school administrators and the business community, including the developer of Oakwood Homes and the Foundation for Educational Excellence, a non-profit organized in 1997 to foster outstanding public schools in far northeast Denver.
The guests on the March edition of "DPS Today" include:
- Suzanne Morris-Sherer, assistant principal at Martin Luther King Jr. Early College
- Rachel Bruce, community liaison at Martin Luther King Jr. Early College
- Kelly Leid, Executive Director for the Foundation for Educational Excellence and Director of Community Development Services for Oakwood Homes
"DPS Today" can be seen on Denver cable 8 throughout the month at 8 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; at 8:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday; and at 1:30 p.m. every Sunday.
Denver stations 22 and 48 also re-broadcast "DPS Today." Channel 22 is the DPS channel on Comcast cable in Denver. Channel 48 is an ITFS microwave channel that is received only within DPS facilities and delivered on cable channel 48 in classrooms.
The show airs on channels 22 and 48 on the following schedule:
- 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Mondays
- 8 a.m., noon, 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays
- Noon, 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays
- 8 a.m., noon, 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Thursdays
- 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Fridays
- Noon, 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
For information, contact the DPS Communications Office at 720-423-3414.