APS policy committee opens broad review of charter-school authorizing language

The Albuquerque Public Schools Policy Committee on Oct. 6 opened a first read of proposed revisions to Board Policy KC, which governs APS-authorized charter schools, focusing on how the board should require evidence of student outcomes, equity and innovation.

The revision, presented by Chair Josefina Dominguez, policy committee chair, frames the board’s role as authorizer and seeks quarterly or regular governance-to-governance meetings so the board can better assess charter performance against board-approved goals and district guardrails. “Until APS and the authorizer, the board, have clarity regarding 1) the budgetary impact on at‑risk students and their academic outcomes, and 2) the role of instructional innovation … the district should refrain from expanding charter authorizations beyond the existing portfolio,” Dominguez said.

The proposed language draws on the Public Education Commission’s authorizer standards and the Authorizer’s Self Evaluation; staff recommended shifting operational detail to the…