APS' grad-numbers "misleading"

The Journal reports, link. that APS' "District Report Card",
published in the Journal on May 7th, included a "misleading
number of graduates for the class of 2009". They reported that
the leadership of the APS admitted that its recent “District
Report Card” included the misleading number.

In a column entitled "# of grads", the district apparently used a
number that did not reflect the number of graduates. Instead
a much larger number was used; a number that even included
"partial students".

The Journal reports;

APS spokesman Rigo Chavez said the district has always
used the total number of “student records” for the district
report card, because it is the raw number used to
calculate graduation rates. However, Chavez said district
officials decided to issue a clarification after board
member David Robbins raised concerns that the numbers
might confuse readers.

Chavez did not admit to any "mistake"; he defended a deliberate
decision based on "past practice".

The Journal then offered readers Chavez' assurances that;

"... the district will try to make the report card easier
to understand in future years."

“We will label it differently next year, and there has also
been discussion on how to change the report card so it’s
more clear to the general public as to what the numbers
mean.”

“Right now, we just take state reports and compile them
into a report card."

If you go to the website of the APS Communications Department, Link, you will find;

The Communications Department... explains complex issues to parents and the community.

It is absolutely their job to explain "complex issues"; it was
absolutely their job to take "state reports" and explain them.
It absolutely was their job to explain how many kids actually
graduate from APS high schools.

They have staff enough to explain graduation rates candidly,
forthrightly and honestly, and in words that the community can
understand.

The department consists of three communications/media relations specialists, three web specialists, and an administrative assistant (though the three web specialists were vanished recently, in an effort to confuse the NMPED and Governor Susana Martinez, they are still available to support the Communications Department mission).

They are led by... Executive Director of Communications Monica Armenta.

In conclusion, Journal reports another assurance from Chavez;

though this year the community was "misled" by the Communications Department's best efforts;

"We decided we’re going to go
above and beyond that and
make it more clear next year.”
(emphasis added)

Above and beyond what?

They have yet to meet the barest
minimum standards. They can't
even communicate to interest holders, their success rate in their most fundamental responsibility; graduating students.

Taxpayers are ponying up almost a million dollars a year for
communication, and all they're getting for their investment is
spin.




photos Mark Bralley