Propping Up Failure: How Douglas County’s School Board Uses Charter Schools toHide Low Test Scores
- wtpnetwork
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
Let’s talk about the dirty little secret the Douglas County School Board hopes you never notice. It’s the academic version of Photoshop: slap a few Charter School results on a failing report card, and voilà, suddenly, the district doesn’t look like it is a failing intercity school district. But here’s the problem: when you peel back the charter school data, what’s left underneath is nothing short of a train wreck.
The DCSD loves to showcase the success of schools like Parker Core Knowledge (2024 English: 87.6%, Math: 80.7%) and STEM Highlands Ranch (2024 English: 64.2%, Math: 55.8%). These charter schools are raising the average like a weightlifter attempting to lift a sumo wrestler. But don’t be deceived; these numbers do not truly reflect the district’s success; they’re a facade for its failure.
Strip away the charter schools and what do you get? In 2024, non-charter elementary schools averaged 56.5% in English and an abysmal 45.8% in Math. Middle schools? Even worse, English scores limp in at 53.5%, with Math trailing at a pitiful 37.7%. That’s not “room for improvement.” That’s educational malpractice.
And yet, here’s the real kicker: the very board members who use charter schools to make the district look good are the same ones dragging their feet when it comes to expanding them. Why? Because control matters more to them than kids. They’d rather let the system rot like Denver Public Schools than admit that maybe, just maybe, parents know what’s best for their children.
If we judged the district solely on its regular schools, this wouldn’t be a “high-performing district.” It would be a cautionary tale. The data is clear, the hypocrisy is louder, and the time to call it out is now. The board’s love-hate relationship with charter schools and those pesky parents needs to end, because our kids deserve better than a cover-up.
That is why I’m calling to replace all 4 DCSD Board Members up for reelection this November.
District B: Tim Moore
District D: Becky Meyers
District E: Christy Williams
District G: Kaylee Winegar
District’s Towns
District B: Castle Rock, Larkspur, Perry Park, Roxborough, Sedalia
District D: Castle Rock, Franktown
District E: Parts of Littleton, Castle Pines, Parts of Highlands Ranch, Parts of Lone Tree, Parts of Parker
District G: Parker
If you are interested in running for a board position or think you might have an interest, please send an email to: WTPNetwork@proton.me.
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