OPINION: APS leaders need time for strategic plan to work

The May 4, 2025, editorial titled “Accountability report card shows little bang for buck” raised valid concerns about Albuquerque Public Schools’ recently released report card, and it omitted important context. It helped that the open letter published by the Community Council called on APS to address questions about the report.

One part of the editorial that resonated with me was its focus on absenteeism, particularly this line: “How are we supposed to expect a school system to improve education outcomes if the students aren’t in school?” Touché.

A friend who teaches high school recently shared he had a senior who missed 66% of the second semester, held a 16%, and showed up in early May asking what she could do to pass. He was honest: She was too far behind to graduate. That same day, he received an angry email from the student’s parents accusing him of being discouraging.

In this case, the accountability gap was not with the Public Education Department, the district or the teacher. It was with the student and the parents. Half of success in life is simply showing up. The Editorial Board was right to highlight the role families must play in ensuring students attend school. Yes, the causes of absenteeism are often complex, and showing up still matters. While the example above involves a high schooler, chronic absenteeism starts earlier. Thirty percent of elementary students and 29% of middle schoolers in APS are chronically absent. District-wide, fewer than 51% attend more than 90% of enrolled school days.

Life is a series of habits. When students do not form the habit of going to school, they are less likely to form the habit of going to work. This pattern carries lasting consequences and will limit opportunities and stability as they transition into adulthood.

While the editorial was right to spotlight significant concerns, it missed a piece of context. The data it references is from the 2023-24 school year. It does not reflect the district’s recent performance or progress on its first-ever strategic plan, which places a strong emphasis on outcomes and accountability.

As chief of staff for one of the state’s largest private employers, I understand the power of real-time data. Our team reviews daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly reports on key performance indicators. This allows us to assess strategies and reinforce what’s working. Evaluating APS without referencing current data is like judging a business strategy before it’s had a chance to take effect. It’s not just unhelpful, it’s unfair.

At a recent Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Dr. Carey Wright reflected on what some call “The Mississippi Miracle.” She quickly dismissed that title, suggesting it be called “The Mississippi Marathon” because it required persistence, not magic. As Mississippi’s superintendent of education, she led the state from 49th in the nation to 29th in fourth-grade reading. Among students living in poverty, Mississippi rose to No. 1 nationally in both reading and math.

That kind of progress didn’t happen overnight, and neither will ours. Benjamin Franklin said, “If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail.” The APS board and superintendent should be commended for crafting the district’s first-ever plan and actively sharing it with the community. No plan solves deep-rooted challenges in a few months. Rather, it sets a clear vision and framework for steady, focused improvement.

I urge the Editorial Board to consider a follow-up that examines APS’s strategic plan and the specific benchmarks it outlines. With so much at stake, we must measure progress accurately and give new strategies the consistency, time and context they deserve.

Editor's note:The author's name was originally misspelled in the online version.