The Albuquerque Public Schools' Board of Education is researching ways to ensure students of all income levels and ethnicity receive the programs and services needed to be college and career ready.
Developed with input from the community, some of the goals, according to KOAT, are to improve 3rd graders' reading proficiency, improve 8th graders' math abilities, and better prepare students for life after high school.
The school board has been evaluating its service to students after the 2018 Yazzie-Martinez lawsuit where a judge ruled New Mexico had failed to comply with state and federal laws regarding the education of students of color and ELL students, including the New Mexico Hispanic & Indian Education Act, and Bilingual Multicultural Education Act, which has resulted in an inadequate education system for New Mexican students.
“Ultimately we have been held liable for not meeting the needs of our students and the goals. And we need to ensure that we do what we are supposed to do, do the right thing,” board member Crystal Tapia-Romero told KOAT.
Superintendent Scott Elder proposed a goal to increase the number of students who feel safe, engaged, valued and connected. In a recent meeting, the board approved a motion to increase students' skills and mindsets for student perseverance, self-regulation, self-efficacy and social awareness.
The board also outlined what it called guardrails measures to make sure students do not fall behind.