Grand Canyon Times

A program led by Arizona's state schools chief, Tom Horne, has resulted in significant improvements in academic scores at Wilson Elementary School near downtown Phoenix. The initiative, known as the ADE-Wilson Partnership Project, focused on 5th-grade classes throughout the 2023-24 school year. Educators and leadership coaches from the Arizona Department of Education collaborated with teachers and district staff to implement rigorous classroom instruction and management techniques.

The project yielded a six percent increase in reading scores and a substantial 25 percent rise in math scores. "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," said Horne. He emphasized that family income does not determine academic ability.

Horne further noted, "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 commended the efforts of teachers, staff, and leadership at Wilson School for their performance.

The partnership began in June 2023 and concluded in September 2024, including mentoring from ADE professional learning specialists. Following its success, the entire school transitioned to Project Momentum, a department-led program utilizing similar techniques to boost academic achievement.

Additionally, the success of the Wilson project prompted the creation of low-cost training academies for teachers, leaders, and instructional coaches by the department. These training opportunities are available to any public school across the state.

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