APS Website Gets Good Grade for Transparency

Open Government Group Finds Most District Information Readily Available

July 12, 2010

A nonprofit organization dedicated to state and local government transparency found that the Albuquerque Public Schools website does a good job providing information to the public.

The Sunshine Review, which uses a 10-point transparency checklist to evaluate the content of more than 5,000 state and local government websites, gave APS.edu a B- for making information readily available to its constituents. APS was one of only three school districts in the state to get a B from the organization; 76 of the state’s 89 school districts earned a D or lower. No New Mexico school district earned an A from the organization.

APS revamped its website earlier this year, making it easier to navigate for parents, students, employees and the community. It continues to make enhancements to aps.edu while improving and standardizing department and school websites.

“The good grade we earned for transparency from the Sunshine Review validates our efforts to make the APS website more informative and accessible,” said APS Superintendent Winston Brooks. “We stand by our belief that APS.edu is the most cost-efficient, timely and user-friendly communication tool available to us today, and we will continue to update and improve it.”

The Sunshine Review’s evaluation of the APS website found that the district does a good job providing information on its budget, meetings, elected and administrative officials, contracts, audits and academics. The only areas in need of improvement, according to the Sunshine Review, were in providing more details on taxes, public records and background checks.

APS and its website have received other honors this year for being open and informative. The APS website was recognized by the New Mexico Technology Council for its outstanding contribution to the community through efforts to provide timely and accurate information. Superintendent Brooks was awarded the William S. Dixon First Amendment Freedom Award from the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government for releasing information and speaking openly and frankly about the school district.