Phoenix Union board adopts three‑year student outcome goals; narrows ELL annual targets and orders plain‑language posting

The Phoenix Union High School District governing board on April 2 adopted a set of proposed three‑year student outcome goals that extend the district's one‑year SMART targets into a 2026–2029 planning horizon. The goals cover the college‑and‑career readiness index (CCRI), ACT reading and ACT math proficiency for juniors, and English‑learner (EL) reclassification rates.

Superintendent Andrade and district staff framed the CCRI and ACT goals as extensions of current targets and stressed that senior and junior baseline data will be finalized in August, after students complete semester coursework. Chief Tez presented the EL proposal, saying, "By August of 2029, PXU aims to increase the district's English language reclassification from 16% in August of 2026 to 25% in August of 2029." Trustees pressed staff for level‑by‑level counts and interim monitoring detail; staff supplied a breakdown of EL classifications and described the district's plan to use interim goals and instructional routines to track progress.

After discussion, Board Member Debbie Cross moved to adopt the three‑year goals with a specific amendment to change the EL annual targets to a 2% / 2% / 3% progression and to revise the overarching EL target to 23% (replacing the staff's 25% proposal). President Pastor Rivera seconded the motion; the board approved it unanimously, including a verbal vote by Representative Aaron Marquez participating online. The motion also included a directive that the district post a plain‑language version of the board goals on its website for public understanding.

District staff said the adopted goals will be monitored via interim metrics and that final baseline percentages for CCRI and cohorts will be available after summer completions. The board and staff agreed to keep annual interim targets and monitoring visible to the public and to revisit the targets if the forthcoming baseline data suggest adjustments are warranted.

The board also discussed but did not adopt proposed operational "guardrails" (parameters the superintendent must follow while pursuing goals); trustees asked to continue community listening and return in May with prioritized guardrails for formal adoption.

The board will next receive progress monitoring updates on the goals according to an agreed monitoring calendar and the interim targets staff will publish following the finalization of this year's assessment data.