Litigation Note: Significant Consent Decree Approval in Denver Public Schools Case

Washington, D.C. - April 17, 2013: Crowell & Moring LLP is pleased to announce that the United States District Court for the District of Colorado approved a comprehensive Consent Decree among the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Congress of Hispanic Educators (CHE), and the Denver Public Schools (DPS), to address the educational needs of the more than 28,000 English Language Learners (ELLs) enrolled in the District's 170 schools. The firm represented DPS. U.S. District Judge Richard Matsch approved a comprehensive Consent Decree among the parties that replaces a 1999 order that had become outdated. The new Consent Decree reflects DPS's best practices for serving ELLs and will enhance DPS's effectiveness in removing language barriers that impede ELLs' full participation in the District's instructional program. The Order was approved on April 16, 2013.