The Opportunity

We are creating schools where…

Everyone knows what the goal is. Students and their teachers are clear on what must be learned in every subject and what mastery actually means. Parents know how we are measuring student achievement, and whether their children and their children’s schools are making gains. Our community demands an increase in the number of high school graduates and students who continue their learning after earning their high school diploma.

Everyone is learning more than was expected of them in the past. We are developing standards and curriculum based on the Common Core Standards to ensure higher levels of achievement for everyone by 2014. It’s not enough to earn a diploma if that diploma doesn’t mean much to a business owner or college admissions officer. It’s not okay to have math mean fractions for some and Algebra for others. All must learn more than before and push towards a higher standard.

Everyone understands that learning is a process. There will be more time to learn with an extended day, more chances and support to get it right, and more opportunity for educators to improve their skills. Our approach for every learner and teacher will be positive reinforcement for making progress toward the goal.

Everyone is learning.

• The preschooler learning to count to 10
• Tthe high school senior writing an application to college
• A group of teachers discussing ways to teach Algebra
• Parents learning how to support their children enrolled in Economics
• The football team learning a new defensive play with their coach
• The would-be web designer, learning from the graphic artist who is her mentor

These are just some examples of how everyone participates in learning. In short, Albuquerque Public Schools are for learners of every age and aspiration.