Albuquerque Public Schools State of the District: what I saw

RGF took the chance to attend the Albuquerque Public Schools “State of the District” event which included a brief talk by (relatively) new Superintendent Blakey. Here are some thoughts:

1. This event is a welcome addition. It was the first event of its kind and I hope it becomes an annual occurrence;
2. It was my first time inside the Berna Facio building. The building is very nice, but it reminds me that APS has a massive physical footprint and a shrinking student population.
3. Superintendent Blakely seems more focused on both changing APS and improving student outcomes than previous leaders of the District. She even mentioned a few ways (like short-cycle assessments) that she and the District are working to improve outcomes. They also outlined specific goals (available here) for student achievement. That is welcome and we’ll be watching.
4. I’d like to have seen Blakely answer a few questions from the attendees. She did not.

We wish Superintendent Blakely success. The problem at ALL government schools has not and never has been a lack of interest among the leadership and even a majority of teachers in improving educational outcomes for children. The challenge is that it is a monopoly that has few incentives to improve. Imposing accountability on the system runs up against union rules and all kinds of other political challenges that make it hard to succeed. And, of course, the District is not alone. State policymakers starting with the Gov. and Legislature are constantly making policies and intervening in ways that mean APS leadership has limited power to actually implement needed change.

Hopefully THIS time is truly different. Watch the entire event including Blakely’s remarks below: