Denver Public Schools (DPS) has achieved a groundbreaking development by becoming the first pre-K–12 public education system in Colorado authorized to grant associate degrees. This was made possible after House Bill 1221 was signed into law, enabling Emily Griffith Technical College, a division of DPS, to offer associate of applied science degrees. The bill targets programs with registered apprenticeship components, aiming to bolster educational and career options for students pursuing non-traditional pathways.
DPS Superintendent Alex Marrero highlighted the significance of reducing barriers between high school, college, and career opportunities. By facilitating access to associate degrees, DPS intends to enhance workforce capabilities and broaden higher education accessibility. Emily Griffith Technical College emerges as a pivotal player in this initiative. It offers more than 30 programs in sectors like hospitality and skilled trades and involves nearly 200 high school students through concurrent enrollment programs. The college aims to further integrate high school students into pre-apprenticeship roles.
Catherine Imperatore from the Association for Career and Technical Education emphasized the need for credit alignment between secondary and postsecondary programs to ease students’ academic progression. Emily Griffith Technical College will present detailed degree program information to the Colorado Department of Higher Education to meet guidelines, ensuring general education courses integrate into apprenticeship curriculums effectively.
This initiative promises to revolutionize public education in Denver by linking secondary education with postsecondary opportunities, benefiting students pursuing vocational paths and enhancing career readiness. It lays the foundation for a more inclusive educational system that opens doors for diverse learning and career trajectories, redefining education’s scope in Denver’s public schools.
