Welcome to the APS Superintendent Newsletter. This online publication provides insights for the APS Community as we work together to achieve our vision:
Every student shapes a successful future.

October 6, 2015
Setting Our Course for 2015-16
Aurora Public Schools Community:

Since July 2013, I have had the privilege of serving as the APS superintendent. During this time, we have talked with parents, staff, students and the Aurora community to learn what was working in APS and what needed to change to ensure that every student is successful.
APS 2020: Shaping the Future
From these conversations, a clear theme emerged.  APS needed to restructure the systems in place to meet the needs of every student.  We have much to be proud of:
  • Aurora Quest K-8 is one of the highest-performing schools in the state.
  • Crawford Elementary Principal Jenny Passchier is Colorado National Distinguished Principal of the Year for 2015.
  • APS leads the state in awarding students credentials for career and college readiness skills. 
  • APS partnered with community organizations to create a "Welcome Center" to assist the growing number of refugee students and families with housing, employment, education and more. 
However, far too many of our students are not having the same academic success as other students in the state. 
  • The APS four-year on-time graduation rate is 55.8%, which is unacceptably lower than the state average of 77%.
  • APS students score an average of 17 on the ACT compared to a score of 20.1 statewide.
  • Only 46% of APS third-grade students are proficient in reading, while 72% are proficient in reading statewide.
  • While student attendance and engagement is high, we need students in class every day to ensure success.
To address these challenges, we worked with our community to develop a new strategic plan APS 2020: Shaping the Future , which promotes the vision: Every student shapes a successful future .
 
We will fulfill this vision through three simple goals. Every APS student will have:
  • A plan for his or her future
  • A set of skills to implement his or her plan
  • Credentials that open doors
To learn more about the strategic plan and the work we are doing around the goals, visit: aps2020.aurorak12.org .
Accelerating Learning for Every Student, Every Day
As part of the strategic plan, we have started many innovative programs and processes to improve our schools and increase academic achievement. We have reorganized district resources to target school needs more efficiently and effectively. In addition, we have developed new processes for hiring innovative school leaders. 

Because our students come from more than 130 countries and speak more than 130 languages, we are also working with teachers and staff members to draw on the diverse strengths that each student brings to the classroom to foster success for all students. 
Communities Organized to Reach Excellence
For schools that require even more resources to quickly improve achievement, we have developed a comprehensive plan called Communities Organized to Reach Excellence. CORE follows an ambitious set of strategies and an aggressive timeline for schools to create significant changes that will improve academic success for every student.
Every Student Shapes a Successful Future
We will continue to build on this work to ensure that every student shapes a successful future. To learn more about education reform in APS, visit aps2020.aurorak12.org/reform. Thank you for your support and I look forward to our continued partnership.
 
Rico Munn
Superintendent

Aurora Public Schools  | 303-344-8060  | E-mail | aurorak12.org


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