APS Superintendent Speaks at New York Public Library

Stresses Importance of Aligning Instructional Materials to New Core Standards

APS Superintendent Winston Brooks speaks at the New York City Public Library.

June 27, 2012

Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Winston Brooks spoke Thursday, June 28, at the New York Public Library at an event affirming a commitment by the nation’s largest school districts to ensure that instructional materials—including textbooks and on-line resources—support the new Common Core State Standards that are being introduced by schools around the country.

“In Albuquerque we will be introducing the new Common Core State Standards in kindergarten through third grade in the fall, and we need to make certain that publishers align instructional materials to these new standards,” Brooks told a group of educators representing more than 30 of America’s largest school district convening to discuss a shared commitment to high quality resources.

The nation’s school districts will purchase some $4 billion in instructional materials to support the new Common Core State Standards in the coming years.

Brooks noted that in districts like Albuquerque with a large number of students whose first language is not English, they must make sure that the materials selected support all students. “This support is not only needed, but it is required to address the achievement gap.”

The half-day event at the New York Public Library also featured a panel discussion with representatives from the Chicago Public Schools, the District of Columbia Public Schools and the New York City Department of Education about how to best align instructional materials to the new Common Core State Standards.

The event is co-hosted by the New York City Department of Education, Student Achievement Partners and the Council of the Great City Schools. Brooks serves as the chairman of the Council of the Great City Schools executive committee.