{"id":2472793,"date":"2025-08-09T13:33:02","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T17:33:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/parental-rights-groups-concerned-over-dei-in-denver-teacher-contract-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-08-09T13:35:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T17:35:00","slug":"parental-rights-groups-concerned-over-dei-in-denver-teacher-contract-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/parental-rights-groups-concerned-over-dei-in-denver-teacher-contract-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Parental rights groups concerned over DEI in Denver teacher contract &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fparental-rights-groups-concerned-over-dei-in-denver-teacher-contract-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2472793&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Parental rights groups in Denver have expressed concerns over the inclusion of diversity,equity,and inclusion (DEI) provisions in the new Denver Public schools (DPS) teacher contract. Organizations such as Defending education, Colorado Parent Advocacy Network, and Protect Kids Colorado sent a letter to DPS and the Denver Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA) criticizing what they call &#8220;ideological programming and discriminatory mandates&#8221; in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/capitol-police-officers-issue-vote-of-no-confidence-for-top-leadership\/\" title=\"Capitol Police Officers Issue Vote Of No Confidence For Top Leadership\">collective bargaining agreement<\/a>. They argue that these DEI-related initiatives, which include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-corporations-launder-their-race-discrimination-through-third-parties\/\" title=\"How Corporations Launder Their Race Discrimination Through Third Parties\">race-based programs<\/a> for teachers, hiring quotas, mandatory equity training, and committees to enforce these practices, could be harmful to students and staff and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >potentially violate federal civil rights laws<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The groups are urging DPS and DCTA to remove all DEI elements from the contract before finalization. defenders of the contract, including DPS and DCTA, maintain that equity is a core value essential for fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, and that training on unconscious bias is necessary to combat discrimination. Critics, however, contend that these policies distract from academic excellence and create barriers for teachers, emphasizing a need to focus on conventional education goals such as reading, writing, and math.The contract is expected to be finalized by August 31, with parental rights advocates remaining cautiously optimistic that their concerns will be addressed.  <\/p>\n<div id=\"ld-4686-3758\"><\/div>\n<p><script>(function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:14832835450050406,size:[0, 0],id:\"ld-4686-3758\"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/cdn2.decide.dev\/_js\/ajs.js\";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,\"script\",\"ld-ajs\");<\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Parental rights groups concerned over DEI in Denver teacher contract<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2200120\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square)&nbsp;&ndash; As Denver <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/public-schools\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Public Schools<\/a> move forward with finalizing a new teacher contract, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/americas-largest-teachers-union-has-donated-1-million-to-reelect-michigan-gov-whitmer\/\" title=\"America&#039;s Largest ... Union Has Donated  Million to Reelect Michigan Gov. Whitmer\">parental rights groups<\/a> are raising concerns about inclusion of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/dei\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">diversity, equity, and inclusion<\/a> provisions in the contract.<\/p>\n<p>Defending Education, Colorado Parent Advocacy Network, and Protect Kids <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/colorado\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Colorado<\/a> joined to send a letter to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/denver\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Denver<\/a> Public Schools and Denver Classroom Teachers Association expressing &ldquo;deep concern about the inclusion of ideological programming and discriminatory mandates&rdquo; in the Denver Public Schools Collective Bargaining Agreement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3495569\/trump-teases-press-conference-will-stop-dc-crime\/\">Trump teases Monday press conference that will &#8216;stop violent crime&#8217; in DC<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3495597\/firefighters-battle-prevent-reignition-france-largest-wildfire\/\">Firefighters battle to prevent reignition of France&rsquo;s largest wildfire as residents return home<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3495593\/arizona-ag-fight-robocall-scam\/\">Arizona AG fights robocalls but the spam continues<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Not only are these practices terrible for students and staff but they are potentially unlawful, as they often violate federal civil rights law,&rdquo;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/defendinged.org\/press-releases\/defending-education-colorado-parent-advocacy-network-and-protect-kids-colorado-send-letter-to-denver-public-schools-and-denver-classroom-teachers-association-expressing-concerns-over-collective-barg\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the letter said<\/a>. &ldquo;DPS and DCTA should focus on improving educational outcomes, supporting teachers in the classroom, and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are directed to the success of all students, not political and ideological programming.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The DPS and DCTA plan to agree to a new contract by Aug. 31. In a joint statement to The Center Square, the DCTA and DPS said they are standing by the contract.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Denver Public Schools and the Denver Classroom Teachers Association are committed to providing a high-quality education for every student and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all educators,&rdquo; the statement said. &ldquo;Equity is a core value of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association and Denver Public Schools. Together, we are working alongside families, community members, and district leaders to ensure that every student has access to qualified, culturally responsive educators, well-resourced classrooms, professional mental health support, and fully-funded schools.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The parental rights groups are calling for all DEI-related initiatives to be removed from the new contract before it is finalized.<\/p>\n<p>Paul Runko, director of Strategic Initiatives at Defending Education, told The Center Square this group hopes DPS will consider their request.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;From our perspective, not only are these practices terrible for student academic outcomes, but potentially unlawful as a lot of these initiatives often violate federal civil rights law,&rdquo; Runko said. &ldquo;There are quite a number of things in their section called &lsquo;Equity in the School District&rsquo; that we find problematic.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>According to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/defendinged.org\/investigations\/dei-in-teachers-union-contracts\/#:~:text=Denver%20Public%20Schools%20(CO)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">an investigation<\/a>&nbsp;by Defending Education, provisions in that section include the following:<\/p>\n<p>&bull;&nbsp;Race-based programs for teachers<\/p>\n<p>&bull;&nbsp;Race-based hiring quotas<\/p>\n<p>&bull;&nbsp;Mandatory &ldquo;equity&rdquo; training<\/p>\n<p>&bull;&nbsp;Racial equity analysis tools<\/p>\n<p>&bull;&nbsp;A committee to implement these DEI practices<\/p>\n<p>Erin Lee, executive director for Protect Kids Colorado, told The Center Square in a statement that these provisions are &ldquo;divisive and discriminatory&rdquo; toward both students and teachers.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Increasing rules and procedures for hiring good teachers is dangerous territory&#8203;, especially when those rules are folded into long-term contracts,&rdquo; Lee said. &ldquo;This does not help teachers teach, it creates more barriers for good teachers to obtain good teaching positions.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Runko said they have not yet received a formal response to their letter but remain hopeful, especially in light of the Trump administration&rsquo;s pushback to DEI policies.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re cautiously optimistic,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;This new environment . . . that we find ourselves in this year really emphasizes academic excellence and bringing schools back to what they were meant to be doing, which is teaching reading, writing and math.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>DPS and DCTA defended the provisions, saying they are essential to creating a welcoming environment.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We want to ensure that we are hiring employees and adopting practices that truly serve our students,&rdquo; their statement said. &ldquo;Additionally, training on topics such as unconscious bias gives all employees the knowledge and skills needed to recognize and challenge discriminatory behaviors. This type of training helps to foster a culture of respect and empathy, leading to better teamwork and a more positive work environment.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3493942\/cassidy-oversight-education-funding-teacher-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">CASSIDY SUGGESTS INCREASED OVERSIGHT FOR EDUCATION FUNDING<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Runko disagreed with the premise that these policies are necessary or useful.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We would argue that these initiatives have nothing to do with academics and, in fact, they contribute to academic decline,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We are hopeful that the public at large sees this and that . . . these administrators and these teacher union officials understand that parents are watching and reading the fine print of these agreements. We are hopeful that they change course.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2200120\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2200120\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Parents oppose DEI clauses in Denver teacher contract<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2472794,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/denver-public-schools-dei.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[16574,60980,34304],"class_list":["post-2472793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-dei","tag-denver-education","tag-parental-rights"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/denver-public-schools-dei.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2472793","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2472793"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2472793\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2472797,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2472793\/revisions\/2472797"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2472794"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2472793"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2472793"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2472793"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}