Christy Steadman | csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Phil Goodstein: ‘Schools for a New Century’

BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Back in 1970, local author, historian and Denver native Phil Goodstein had his rst written work published. It was a letter to the editor in “Newsweek.”

“ at inspired me to keep going,” said Goodstein, whose works often delve into local questions.

Today, roughly 30 books later, Goodstein has completed the third part of a trilogy, “ e History of Denver Public Schools.”

“You can’t avoid schools,” Goodstein said. “ ey take in a crucial part of the society.” e rst book, “ e Denver School Book,” which came out in 2019, looks at the origins of the school district and spans the following century – 1859 to 1967. e third book was published in September last year and is called “Schools for a New Century. From 1995 to 2020, it explores the rise of charter schools, school choice and the preschool program.

Yet, what exactly is a school, Goodstein asked. Are they job training centers? Do they serve as babysitters? Are they penal institutions?

“Nobody has the certain answer,” Goodstein said.

Goodstein’s trilogy looks at about 160 years of DPS. Each is a separate volume and includes many illustrations. It is not necessary to read them in order.

Published in 2020, the second book, “ e Denver School Bussing Wars,” examines 1967 to 1995 and the district’s e ort to desegregate schools through bussing.

DPS re ects the values of Denver, Goodstein said.

And, he added, “they’re a focal point for education across the state.”

Q&A with Phil Goodstein

What inspired you to write about Denver Public Schools for the trilogy?

e schools are part of the community. Indeed, they are forced on the population. Schemers and dreamers have focused on them