How did Albuquerque Public Schools fare on the latest state accountability report?
Nov. 29—Albuquerque Public Schools students made significant gains in reading, improved math scores, graduated at a higher rate, showed better college or career preparation and attended classes more often, according to the latest State Accountability Report.
“We’re headed on a really good trajectory, our staff is working really hard, and when you put in that much effort — and they’re really embracing change in some of the things we do — seeing the results is what keeps the momentum going,” Superintendent Gabriella Blakey said. “I’m really happy to see him.”
The gains for the state’s largest district are notable, as New Mexico is often ranked among the lowest states nationally in student academic achievement.
Data from the NM Vistas annual report compiled by the state Department of Public Education for the 2024-25 school year found that 43 percent of APS students were proficient in reading and 25 percent in math.
These figures represent increases of 9 and 2 percentage points, respectively, from the 2023-24 report. The district saw a 3 percentage point decrease in student science proficiency in the 2024-25 school year, bringing it to 35%.
“I think we definitely want to be leaders in the state,” Blakey said. “We recognize the value that this brings as the largest district in the state, that we lead by example and carry a lot of weight in the data.”
The district also saw a 2 percent increase in graduation rates, with 74 percent of students graduating from high school within four years. Fifth-year students graduated at a rate of 70%, and 73% of sixth-year students graduated.
When it comes to student preparedness after taking the stage, APS saw an increase of nearly 47 percentage points from the previous report. According to the data, 88% of the district’s students participated in college and career preparation courses during the 2024-25 school year. In the previous school year, 41% had done so.
Additionally, attendance numbers improved in the latest NM Vistas report. During the 2023-24 school year, the report said, 50% of APS students attended classes regularly. For the 2024-25 school year, that figure jumped 19 percentage points to 69% of students regularly attending classes.
However, Blakey and district leaders dispute how the PED interprets attendance data, noting that the district is more focused on eliminating chronic absenteeism than daily attendance numbers. The NM Vistas report describes regular attendance as “students who were present for more than 90 percent of enrolled school days.”
Like APS — where about 20 percent of all public school students are enrolled — New Mexico has also seen gains in literacy. The state and its largest district showed identical proficiency rates in math, science and reading in the latest report.
“I would say since 2019, the state has invested heavily in early literacy, and that’s moving toward structured literacy,” said Amanda DeBell, PED assistant secretary for teaching, learning and innovation. “We are seeing this investment pay off.”
While celebrating success in improving reading skills, the PED and APS recognized that math scores are the next area for improvement. The two institutions also highlighted the need for schools to sustain the successes recorded last year.
“When we see our statewide proficiency hovering below 50 percent in reading and math…I would like to reiterate that schools and we at PED must continue to provide these opportunities to school districts,” DeBell said. “The work must continue.”
