MIX AND MATCH Nationally known for its embrace of school autonomy, Denver Public Schools now has more charter and innovation schools than traditional district-run schools. Chalkbeat

NEW INCENTIVES Teachers and employees in Westminster Public Schools will be able to earn a bonus if they help the struggling district improve its state ratings next year. Chalkbeat

TEACHER DIVERSITY Education advocates and policymakers want to have it both ways: they want more teachers of color and to “raise the bar” for the profession with measures that disproportionately screen out certain groups. Chalkbeat

HELP WANTED Colorado’s rural schools are feeling the pinch trying to hire teachers, with salaries a significant challenge. CPR

STEM FOCUS The Englewood School District announced it will become the first district in Colorado to offer hands-on STEM learning to every student through the creation of Smart Labs at every building. Fox 31, 9News

GOT ISSUES? Instead of endorsing candidates in this fall’s school board election, the Pueblo teachers union is launching a campaign about issues impacting the district. KOAA

TWO CENTS Colorado lawmakers have an opportunity to improve how children with disabilities are educated, the focus of U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s visit to Denver this week. Denver Post