On May 25, Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Terri Cole, GACC Board Chair Del Esparza and Education Bold Issue Group (BIG) Chair Del Archuleta had a guest column published in the Albuquerque Journal.
The Chamber has a long and storied history with Albuquerque Public Schools — with moments of triumph and of disappointment and frustration. So it was with great enthusiasm the Chamber leaders noted that — for the first time in over a decade — APS has a strategic plan that charts a clear, measurable path toward better outcomes for students. The plan includes four bold goals that are now guiding the work of the district from the classroom to the boardroom.
The column also shared that as part of its education advocacy work, on May 7 the Chamber brought in Dr. Carey Wright, architect of the “Mississippi Miracle” and current Maryland superintendent of schools and noted that student outcomes only improve when adult behaviors change.
As Wright 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.”
“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,” the column stated. “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.”
To read the full article in the Albuquerque Journal, click here.