Navigating the Learning Space: A Guide to Denver Public Schools' Professional Development Platform

The Denver Public Schools (DPS) Board of Education emphasizes the importance of community involvement in the success of schools and students. To facilitate this engagement, the Board encourages attendance at its meetings, which are also accessible via video streaming. Special accommodations and translation services are available upon request, with a 48-hour advance notice to the Board of Education Office required for arrangements.

Public Comment at Board Meetings

The Board values community input and provides opportunities for public comment during meetings. Public comment is divided into two sections: one focused on action items scheduled for the upcoming regular board meeting and another for unrestricted topics. Each section is limited to thirty (30) minutes. Individual speakers are allotted a maximum of two (2) minutes to speak. To be eligible to speak, individuals must have an established relationship with Denver Public Schools, such as being a DPS student, a Denver resident, a parent/guardian or family member of a DPS student, an employee of DPS, or a member of an organization partnering with DPS. Speakers can sign up for either a specific action item or the open comment period, but not both. Substitutes are not permitted. A finalized list of speakers is posted on the Public Comment agenda on the day of the Work Session & Public Comment Meeting. The board considers all comments, whether delivered in person or in writing, in its decision-making process.

Board Meeting Logistics

For those attending Board meetings, free parking is available in the Yellow Parking Lot, located north of the Emily Griffith Campus building at the corner of Lincoln and 19th. The lot's entrance and exit are accessible from 19th. Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Videos prior to September 2015 are available upon request.

What is the Learning Space?

The Learning Space is a dedicated platform within Denver Public Schools (DPS) designed for District Training and Professional Development. It serves as a central hub for DPS employees, particularly Special Service Providers, to access a variety of essential trainings and certifications. Completing these requirements through the Learning Space grants access to various systems and portals necessary for fulfilling their roles within the district.

Accessing the Learning Space

To access the Learning Space, navigate to the "District Training and Professional Development" section. This will redirect you to a DPS login portal, characterized by a blue screen. Here, you will need to enter your username and password.

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Your username follows the convention: firstname_lastname, coupled with your standard DPS password. The system may prompt you to use the Duo Verification System to verify your identity; if so, follow the on-screen directions.

Upon successful login, you will be presented with the Dashboard for Learning Space. From here, you can utilize the search bar to locate specific courses or browse the complete catalog by selecting "Courses" in the menu on the left-hand side.

Navigating to Schoology

It is important to note that the majority of courses are hosted within another system called Schoology. To access your course in Schoology, follow the same initial steps as accessing the Learning Space: navigate to "District Training and Professional Development" and log in using your DPS credentials.

Required Trainings and Certifications

As a Special Service Provider, there are a variety of trainings and certifications you will need to complete in the Learning Space. This will provide you access to many systems and portals you will need in your role.

Mandatory Training Programs

DPS emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and development for its employees. Several mandatory training programs are assigned through the Learning Space to ensure compliance and enhance professional skills. These include:

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Mandatory Reporter Training: This annual training is crucial for all DPS employees to understand their reporting obligations concerning child abuse and/or neglect. Completion is required annually by October.
Privacy and Protection of Confidential Student Information Training: Another annual requirement, this training educates DPS employees on laws governing the use and sharing of student data, as well as district requirements for protecting employee and student confidential information. This training must be completed by October.
Emergency Management Training: This annual training equips DPS employees with an understanding of the Emergency Management Cycle and provides guidance on how to support the Climate and Safety Department. Completion is required by October.

Additional DPS Initiatives and Resources

Beyond the Learning Space, DPS offers a range of initiatives and resources to support its employees and the wider community:

District Annual Report: The annual report reflects the dedication of educators, staff, students, parents, and the community. It highlights key initiatives, milestones, and the district's future direction.
District Map: A map provides school addresses and locations across DPS. Printed copies are available upon request.
Grant Guidance: New guidance and processes are in place for teams applying for grants, aligning district resources with strategic priorities.
DPS Spirit Week: An annual event designed to strengthen the DPS community, reinforce core values, and celebrate excellence.
Employee Wellness Program: The program offers support for employee wellness journeys, with wellness champions located in many DPS locations.
Cybersecurity Awareness Training: As part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, DPS assigns mandatory cybersecurity awareness training to all employees through the Learning Space.

DPS Communication Channels

Denver Public Schools utilizes various channels to disseminate information to its employees:

Constant Contact: All district newsletters and critical employee communications are sent through Constant Contact.

External Learning Resources

DPS also leverages external learning platforms and resources to provide comprehensive training and development opportunities for its personnel:

myTraining: This system manages the training lifecycle for Total Force personnel, enhancing productivity, efficiency, and mission effectiveness.
DAF e-Learning (DAFeL): This platform offers customizable learning solutions curated in coordination with DAF personnel and industry experts, focusing on upskilling and reskilling in business, leadership, and tech skills.
TTMS: A suite of web-based services used to manage trainees and students through basic military and technical training.
ADSS: Provides data-oriented decision support capabilities, facilitating trend analysis and pipeline optimization through the presentation of decision-ready training data.

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