Strategic Priorities

Priority 1 focuses on improving teaching and learning with high expectations for all students and staff. Key initiatives under Priority 1 include:

• Support for Faster Learning Gains
• Teaching Based on Clear Standards in English and Math
• Tailored Instruction to Meet All Students' Needs
• Using Data and Feedback to Improve Teaching

How

To achieve this priority, we will:

• Communicate our goals clearly to all APS employees, families and the community, ensuring everyone understands our direction and how they contribute to our success.
• Support school leadership by investing in principals and providing them with the resources and training they need to lead their schools more effectively.
• Clarify decision-making processes, ensuring that staff members have a voice in decisions that affect the classroom while keeping everything aligned with district-wide goals.

Support leaders and teachers to provide students with rigorous, culturally sustaining, grade-level instruction that leverages high-quality instructional materials and is continually responsive to students’ progress.

Why

• In 2018, a judge ruled that New Mexico isn’t providing a sufficient education to at-risk students, including Native Americans, English learners, socioeconomically disadvantaged children, and students with disabilities. The landmark Yazzie-Martinez ruling requires schools to do more to educate these at-risk students.
• Most of our students aren’t at grade level in Math or English Language Arts, according to state assessments. And while that has been the case for a while, the pandemic has made the situation worse. Nationally, students lost ground in reading and math, among other subjects.
• A company brought in to talk to APS students, parents, and staff to give us a sense of what we’re doing well and what we need to improve on found that our students want more rigor in their coursework. They are asking to be challenged, and we have to deliver on that. Among the company’s other findings:
• We need to do a better job of using high-quality instructional materials in our classrooms to ensure that students are being challenged and that they’re doing grade-level work.
• We need to provide better and more frequent professional development in order to improve student outcomes.
• We need to do a better job of holding ourselves accountable.

How

Priority 2 is centered on providing resources our staff members will need to succeed in advancing student success. To achieve this priority, we will:

• Set high expectations for all students, making sure they receive grade-level instruction by teachers, with strong support from principals who monitor and guide this work.
• Provide teachers with units of study that clearly outline what to teach and when. These additions will align with high-quality, culturally relevant instructional materials, to ensure students are prepared for the next grade.
• Use a school framework that offers more autonomy to schools experiencing success, while providing additional support to schools that face challenges. This tailored approach ensures all students have access to effective instruction.
• Prioritize professional development that is detailed to the needs of our educators, equipping them with the tools and skills to use assessments effectively, adjust instruction and support student success.
• Ensure equitable access to instruction for all students, including those with disabilities. We will do this by providing necessary resources and training to educate students in regular classrooms when possible, and in specialized settings when needed.

Cultivate safe schools and classrooms that keep all students engaged in their learning by ensuring they each have access to robust academic, social emotional learning, and extracurricular opportunities that meet their individual needs.

Why

• A staggering 43% of our students were chronically absent in 2022. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of classes or of school days for any reason. This is a huge obstacle we must overcome if we expect to improve student outcomes.
• The pandemic has taken a devastating toll on children’s mental health, so much so that the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Children’s Hospital Association have declared a national state of emergency in children’s mental health. The organizations cite soaring rates of mental health challenges among children, adolescents, and their families over the course of the pandemic, which, they say, worsened the situation that existed prior to the pandemic.
• Investigations done across the U.S. and in New Mexico have found that students of color are disproportionately suspended or expelled compared to white students. An investigation by Pro Publica and New Mexico In Depth found that in this state, Native American students are expelled far more often than any other group and at least four times as often as white students.
• Students deserve a voice in decisions that affect them. Penn State researchers note that leadership “instills confidence, and helps children solve problems creatively, work in a team, and work collaboratively with others.”

How

We are committed to creating a supportive, engaging environment that focuses on the whole child — academically, socially and emotionally. Our holistic approach to Priority 3 includes:

• Prioritizing student health and wellness by expanding access to mental and behavioral health services.
• Focusing on developing life skills, habits and mindsets through integrated social-emotional learning.
• Teaching in different ways to match the various learning styles of students.
• Using data and feedback to adjust teaching and support student growth.
• Fostering restorative practices that repair harm and build positive relationships.
• Creating a welcoming, inclusive culture in which students feel respected and motivated.
• Involving students in decision-making through Principal Advisory Councils.
• Collaborating with families and partners to reduce absenteeism and address attendance barriers.
• Empowering students with leadership opportunities to shape their school and community.

Establish clear district systems for managing resources and communicating and supporting schools and families in a way that authentically responds to students’ needs.

Why

• Everything we do at APS – from preparing budgets and communicating to the way we deploy technology – needs to be rooted in the needs of our students and schools.
• Too often, schools calling Central Office with a question are receiving different answers from different departments and are left frustrated and confused.
• Principals and other school leaders currently don’t have much of a say in how funding for their schools is spent.
• Our district has been inconsistent in messaging to families.

How

In Priority 4, we are committed to establishing clear systems to support schools and families. These efforts include:

• Establishing an Office of Federal and State Programs: We've created a new office to consolidate and manage federal and state funding, improving transparency and accountability in resource allocation.
• Creating Mid-Year Budget Reviews: Our Finance Department will hold reviews in December to assess financial goals and ensure resources are spent effectively on current student needs.
• Prioritizing Improved Communication: The APS Communications Office is shifting focus to engage families with clearer messaging and regular updates, highlighting student achievements and building stronger community ties through social media and media relationships.
• Implementing the Let’s Talk Platform: This online tool improves communication by allowing families to ask questions and share feedback. We aim to respond within two business days and continuously improve our services based on feedback.
• Creating a Family Advisory Board: Regular meetings with this board ensure we stay connected to family needs and make decisions that reflect their input.
• Addressing Declining Enrollment: The Right-Sizing Committee is working to expand programs like Coronado’s dual-language K-8 school and launching an International High School to meet diverse community needs and boost enrollment.
• Engaging in Statewide Partnerships for Literacy: We are in discussions with the governor and Public Education Department to create a statewide literacy center in Albuquerque.
• Expanding Enrichment Opportunities: We are evaluating school schedules to increase student access to electives, internships, mentorships, and programs like Genius Hour.
• Creating Flexible Graduation Pathways: In response to new state legislation, we’ve formed a committee to reimagining graduation requirements with personalized learning pathways, ensuring students have more flexibility in their education.