OPINION: APS deserves recognition and support for moving in the right direction

We at the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce have a long and storied history with Albuquerque Public Schools. There have been moments of triumph and many more of disappointment and frustration. So we understand some of the criticism we’ve seen over the past few weeks. That frustration is understandable — and one we have shared over many years of advocacy. However, there’s an equally important part of the APS story that deserves to be told: real progress is being made.

For the first time in over a decade, APS has a strategic plan that charts a clear, measurable path toward better outcomes for students. This plan is not just another document collecting dust. It includes four bold goals that are now guiding the work of the district from the classroom to the boardroom. And it’s working: All four goals are currently on track to be met this year. As one example, APS surpassed its interim target for early literacy (Goal 1.3) by an impressive 7 percentage points, meaning 330 more second graders are on track to become proficient readers.

The district’s leadership has embraced a hard truth: Student outcomes only improve when adult behaviors change.

This shift in mindset, structure and strategy has been a long time coming. And while we all know that APS’s current results — especially in reading and math — are not where they need to be, we must also recognize that systems this large don’t turn on a dime. As Carey Wright, the architect of the “Mississippi Miracle,” told a packed audience at the Chamber’s recent Education Matters Luncheon, “It’s not something that happens overnight. It’s something that happens over time. There’s a love of stick-to-itiveness that’s involved with doing that.”

We brought Wright to Albuquerque to inspire and challenge our community, just as she did in Mississippi when she led that state from the bottom of national education rankings to near the top in reading and math achievement. Her message was simple and powerful: Long-term improvement in student performance requires focus, coherence, consistency — and an unwavering belief in the potential of every child.

We see echoes of that approach at APS under Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey, who introduced Wright at the event and has been a strong champion of change. APS is now publishing transparent, quarterly reports on its strategic goals, bringing clarity and accountability to how the district is progressing. That alone represents a major cultural shift for the system.

Even more encouraging, the APS Board of Education recently tied Superintendent Durán Blakey’s contract and compensation to performance on those goals. That’s real accountability and it’s the kind of bold leadership that’s essential if we are to truly improve outcomes for the more than 60,000 students in our city’s public schools.

We’re also seeing signs that these changes are translating into results. In 2024, APS increased its graduation rate by 4.3 percentage points. That translates to roughly 300 more students earning diplomas and opening doors for their future. The district also adopted a new graduation requirement in financial literacy, equipping students with real-world skills that will serve them long after high school.

Behind these gains is a smarter, more flexible system. APS has implemented a new Strategic Performance Framework that differentiates support to schools based on their performance. It’s a move toward targeted investment and earned autonomy, focusing more energy where it’s needed most while allowing successful schools the flexibility to lead.

At the chamber, we care deeply about raising student achievement, especially in math and reading. We believe mastery of those foundational skills sets the stage for long-term success. We were proud to help pass a new law this year embracing the science of reading and remain committed to ensuring struggling students and their families receive the support and information they need.

We’ve been in this fight for a long time, and like many in the community, we’ve seen plans come and go. But this time feels different. The alignment of a strategic plan, transparent data, bold school board and committed leadership, combined with a clear understanding that adult behavior must shift, is how real transformation starts.

Wright reminded us that Mississippi’s turnaround wasn’t the result of a single initiative. It was years of determined, coordinated effort across agencies, lawmakers, educators and business leaders. And yes, there were tough conversations and resistance to change. But by staying the course and focusing on what they could control they changed the trajectory of a generation of students.

The road ahead for APS is still long. But the district is finally moving in the right direction. That deserves recognition and support.

At the chamber, we will continue to push hard for better outcomes. But we’ll also celebrate progress when we see it. And right now, we see encouraging signs that APS is beginning its own “marathon” of improvement. Let’s support the district in that journey and hold one another accountable to finish the race.

Del Esparza is chairman of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Terri Cole is the chamber’s president and CEO, and Del Archuleta is the chamber’s Education Bold Issue Group chair.