On November 5, hundreds of educators from across the metro area came together for a Results for Students Conference focused on expanded student learning time.
The conference was sponsored by the Southwest Teacher Union Reform Network (SW TURN), which is focused on improving results for students by ensuring that every student has a quality teacher, that teachers have the ability to provide a 21st century education so students can compete in the global economy, and that all stakeholders including teachers, students, parents, policymakers and community members are accountable for student results.
The conference participants learned about new and creative ways to use time more efficiently at the classroom, building and district level. “Given that we are in a school funding crisis, and the expectations for student achievement are high, we need to take a careful look at how we use our time with students. If we can use our resources more efficiently, we owe that to our students so that we can continue to provide a 21st Century Education” said Kerrie Dallman, JCEA President and leader in SW TURN.
Presenters included Joe Rull and Emily Raine of the National Center on Time and Learning and Furman Brown, Founder and Executive Director of Generation Schools. Both organizations are currently engaged with schools in the Denver metro area.
The metro associations/unions who are members of SW TURN include: Aurora Education Association, Boulder Valley Education Association, Cherry Creek Education Association, Colorado Springs Education Association, Denver Classroom Teachers Association, District 12 Educators’ Association, Douglas County Federation of Teachers, Jefferson County Education Association, Littleton Education Association, Westminster Education Association
SW TURN also includes locals from Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, Nevada and New Mexico though they will not be in attendance at this conference.