Grand Canyon Times

A program led by Arizona state schools chief Tom Horne has resulted in significant improvements in academic scores at Wilson Elementary School, located near downtown Phoenix. The initiative, known as the ADE-Wilson Partnership Project, was implemented during the 2023-24 school year and involved fifth-grade classes. Educators and leadership coaches from the Arizona Department of Education collaborated with teachers and district staff to enhance classroom instruction and management techniques.

The results of this effort were notable, with students' reading scores increasing by six percent and math scores rising by 25 percent. Horne commented on these achievements, stating, “The results of this partnership are outstanding and prove that students in low-income areas are just as capable of academic excellence as students in wealthy communities. Family income has no bearing on academic ability.”

Horne further emphasized the success in math performance: “There was an impressive 25 percent gain in math scores. This demonstrates that using effective coaching and training methods rewards students with academic success." He praised the efforts of those involved: "I want to commend the teachers, staff and leadership at the Wilson school and the district for their excellent performance. The students were challenged to work very hard, and they deserve praise for their achievements.”

The project began in June 2023 and continued through September 2024, focusing on mentoring from ADE professional learning specialists between sessions. Following its success, Wilson Elementary transitioned to Project Momentum—a similar department-led program aimed at boosting academic achievement.

Additionally, the project's positive outcomes have prompted the creation of low-cost training academies for educators statewide. These academies offer training opportunities for teachers, leaders, and instructional coaches across public schools throughout Arizona.