Series// January-Feburary -May 2023
APS Needs Increased Focus on Academic Excellence
In this multi-part series we explore academics at APS high schools, reveal performance is below average and propose what can be done about it.
NEW
Part 3: APS should focus on developing a culture of academic excellence. APS needs to set a more consistent tone and focus on delivering academic excellence at all schools and to all students. This requires a tone at the top that is focused on academic excellence, it requires setting stretch goals for academic performance and helping a broader set of students reach those stretch goals. This requires no excuses academic policies, higher grading standards, and consistent communications. And it requires providing support for teachers to deliver best practices and opportunities for their students.
Part 2: Academic Expectations at APS appear to be on the decline. Research reflects that the rigor of high school curriculums is one of the most important factors in determining whether students will succeed in post-secondary education. Yet data reflects that fewer APS students are taking Algebra by 8th grade than in years past, enrollment in AP and IB courses lag our local peers, and many of our graduates report feeling unprepared to write at a college level. In many areas, APS appears to be moving in the wrong direction, from reducing the amount of homework, to grade inflation, to setting APS-wide goals for student academic achievement that are uninspiring. In short, in many respects APS is falling short of providing the academic rigor needed to ensure post-secondary education success.
Part 1: APS high schools are trailing their regional peers in educational results. An analysis of SAT, AP and SOL test scores, and National Merit Semifinalist data at APS high schools in comparison to peer neighboring district high schools reflects that in most categories APS schools are performing below average.