Our Work: Projects
The Donnell-Kay Foundation is working on Colorado's education interests by providing thoughtful research, dialogue and critical thinking in the development of creative and systemic ideas to strengthen and improve public education in Colorado. Below are some of our projects.
Colorado Graduates Initiative:
The Colorado Graduates Initiative is an effort to accelerate action toward the goal of reducing the state's dropout rate in half over the next ten years. Colorado has a recognized problem getting all young people to succeed in high school and community, state leaders, school leaders and the public are beginning to commit to ensuring that more students graduate from high school, that fewer students dropout, and that all young people get an education that prepares them for future success. Read More. Contact: Kim Dolan
Early Childhood Education:
Donnell-Kay is seeking to increase the number of high-quality, sustainable and affordable charter school-based early childhood education (ECE) centers for infants, toddlers, and preschool children in Colorado. The centers will serve children who live in the communities in which these schools are located, and will help the schools attract and retain staff and families by providing on-site quality childcare for children of school employees and for student's siblings.
The Finance Project (www.financeproject.org) has submitted case studies of the financial sustainability of two local providers to explore the replication of existing models in partnership with charter schools. Contact: Tony Lewis.
Better Food for Better Schools:
Helping create healthy schools continues to be a high priority for the foundation. Charter schools now have the opportunity to opt out of their district food service programs and become entities that will be able to process reimbursements for students receiving free or reduced price lunches. Revolution Foods, a California-based company, began serving healthy, freshly prepared meals to charter schools students across the metro area in the fall of 2009. Additionally, we continue to partner with the Colorado Health Foundation and others to increase the supply of school-based health services for all children. Contact: Tony Lewis
Envision Schools Colorado becomes Venture Prep:
Two schools are better than one! Envision Leadership Prep and Denver Venture School have joined to become Venture Prep -- a free, rigorous, public school whose mission is to prepare all 6-12 grade students for college and career success. VP uses a project-based learning approach to teach students the academic content and 21st century skills they need to become the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs. The school offers unique educational opportunities such as: intensive intervention, personal tutoring, small classes, and a safe learning environment. Read More. Contact: Tony Lewis.
Colorado Summit on Blended Learning - March 2010:
Click here for more information about the summit and panelists. Click here for the agenda.
Read more. Contact: Amy Anderson
Community Speaker Series "Learn More. Expect More. Do More" - November 2009 - March 2010:
This 3-part series, open to the public, focused on educating and involving the community in education issues. Click here for more information about this series and see excerpts from the three presentations. www.MoreFromOurSchools.org. Read more. Contact: Kim Dolan.
Symposiums - September 2009:
On September 29-30, 2009, we partnered with the School of Public Affairs at UCD and others in hosting two symposiums: "How to effectively manage a portfolio of schools within a school district." and "What should be done about Colorado's low performing charter schools?" Read more. Contact: Amy Anderson.
Get Smart Schools:
The mission of Get Smart Schools is to stimulate and support the creation of new high performing schools serving low-income, K-12 students in Colorado's front range. Read More.
Green Schools Seminar - April 2008:
We co-hosted this seminar about high performance school building design and construction and how these schools are more productive learning environments. Read More.
DPS Blueprint - New School Development and Beyond:
A primary area of focus for the Donnell-Kay Foundation is to help facilitate the creation of new, smaller, high-performing schools that effectively serve students. Read More.
Conversation 2007:
Conversation 2007 was an opportunity for all Coloradoans to help shape the future of Colorado education - preschool through graduate school - by engaging in a series of guided conversations with members of the community and elected representatives. Read More.
Trujillo Commission on Online Education:
In February 2007, the Commission released its final findings and recommendations. Read More
Crumbling Classrooms:
According to one study, 88% of Colorado's schools are not in good physical condition. The schools we depend on to house, protect and educate our children are, in some cases literally, crumbling and Colorado needs $4.7 billion to bring its schools into good condition. Read More.
Manual High School Reorganization:
Denver Public Schools closed and reopened Manual High School after recognizing that it suffered from low academic achievement, declining enrollment, and lack of available resources for students. Read More.