Q&A: Two DSST: College View students share why they chose DSST
We asked Marco Maximiliano and Laura Jaime, two students from our DSST: College View campus, to share why they chose DSST and why they think others should too. Here is what they said.
11/08/22
Q&A: DSST literacy interventionist talks about reading rates, testing and importance of the work
DSST has brought in three Literacy Interventionists to help address the decline in reading assessment proficiency that educators are seeing at DSST and across Colorado.
Samantha Hakes is the literacy interventionist at our Aurora Science & Tech (AST) Middle School, where she works with students twice a week for 45 minutes to help them improve their reading and testing skills.
Hakes shares her perspective on reading rates, testing and the importance of the reading interventionists’ work.
1) Reading rates were shown to have dropped across schools in general. How do reading rates look at DSST?
If we look at the CMAS writing data for DSST middle schools, we can see that an average of 50% of students, at most campuses, scored a zero. This does NOT mean that they didn’t have access to the prompt/reading, but that they either lacked the stamina to complete the reading portion and have enough time for writing OR they did not attempt the prompt.
Testing fatigue is real, so we need to strategically think about which assessments our students truly need to take and which assessments guide instruction. It’s imperative that we find a way to encourage student and family buy-in with CMAS, while also not teaching to the test.
2) Your title is “literacy interventionist.” How is literacy intervention different than enrichment and how does that impact students?
The three literacy interventionists who are piloting the program this year at AST, DSST: Green Valley Ranch, and DSST: College View middle schools, are experts in their field. All three of us have over 10 years of instructional experience with an emphasis on literacy development, and experience with differentiating instruction to meet diverse needs. In addition, the programs that we are using – STARI, Words Their Way, and Wilson – are research-based interventions and most include professional development or training before implementation of the programs. With all of this in mind, we have the experience, background knowledge, and tools to truly identify the root causes of students’ literacy gaps and then create individualized plans to target and close gaps.
Therefore, this is different from enrichment, because literacy interventionists do not teach any other classes. Our sole focus is on intervention groups, which utilize specialized assessments and instruction to support all students.
3) Why do you think this work is important based on the current educational/literacy climate?
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Topics: Inside the Classroom
09/27/22
Back to School Nights give families a fun chance to connect with their students' teachers, school
Over the past couple weeks, each of our schools has held a Back to School Night, which is an opportunity for parents/guardians to meet their student(s)' teachers, get connected to their schools' communications, meet partners and just have some fun.
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Topics: Inside the Classroom
08/31/22
'Failing isn't the end of the world': DSST alumna, teacher shares how DSST helped shape her future
We recently spoke with a DSST founding board member who said she hoped DSST graduates would eventually come back and teach at our schools and become educational leaders. Cami Coultas-McKenney is doing just that.
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Topics: Inside the Classroom
08/25/22
Founding school director, Kryszelda Mendoza, shares excitement about opening of Aurora Science & Tech High School
DSST Public Schools was thrilled to welcome the founding class of freshmen to Aurora Science and Tech High School.
We spoke with the founding School Director, Kryszelda Mendoza who shared some of her thoughts about what this school means to the students and her perspective on the new school.
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Topics: Inside the Classroom
08/24/22
Off to the races! Here are some highlights from DSST's first week of school
What a fantastic start to the 2022-23 school year! We loved seeing your children back at our 16 schools in Denver and Aurora after a much-needed summer. It was great to feel the excitement and anticipation of a new school year in students and staff.
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Topics: Inside the Classroom
02/23/22
College View high schoolers celebrate incoming freshmen
The transition from middle to high school can be intimidating. It feels like the transition from being a child to taking your first step into becoming an adult. The College View campus is working to support students to help make sure they know that each one of them is valued in the Wolf Pack, and to create excitement for the next chapter as they enter high school next year.
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Topics: Inside the Classroom
08/30/21
DSST: Conservatory Green Students Bring Core Values to Life
Nyjah Munn, an 8th grader at DSST: Conservatory Green Middle School, noticed another student during their first week of school. Ivory Corona-Sanchez is a 6th grader, so she is new to the school, and she is also blind and working on mobility. Nyjah noticed her struggling to with cane and saw an opportunity to help.
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Topics: Inside the Classroom
