Goals & Guardrails

On February 17, 2026 the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education adopted three Goals and three Guardrails.

Goals reveal the community's vision for its students' outcomes – what the community wants its students to know and be able to do. Goals describe what the school district is trying to accomplish. Goals are SMART:

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Results-focused
Time-bound

In pursuit of achieving its Goals, Guardrails define the parameters the Superintendent must work within. Guardrails represent the values of the community that must not be compromised while the district works to achieve its Goals. Guardrails help APS make sure the conditions are in place for Goal success.

Goals & Guardrails Overview

Goals & Guardrails Progress Measures Video  
Goals & Guardrails Progress Measures Overview
View Full Screen or Download PDF

Board Goals

Goal 1: K-2 Early Literacy Skills
Early Beginnings student

In APS-operated schools, the percentage of K-2 students not at the NEP (non-English Proficient) level demonstrating grade-level proficiency skills as measured by an end-of-year (EOY) State-approved READ Act assessment will increase from 41% in May 2025 to at least 80% in May 2031. (Adopted February 17, 2026)

Interim Measures include the Goal and the Goal Progress Measures (GoPM)

  • Goal 1: K-2 Early Literacy Skills
    • GoPM 1.1: Maintaining Grade Level Literacy Skills. In APS operated schools, the percentage of K-2 students (excluding students at the NEP level) who started the year with grade level literacy skills AND have maintained grade level literacy skills as measured by the STAR Reading assessment will increase from XX% in May 2027 to at least YY% in May 2029.
    • GoPM 1.2: Reducing Below Grade Level Literacy. In APS-operated schools, the percentage of K-2 students (excluding students at the NEP level) not yet mastering grade level literacy skills on a state-approved READ Act assessment will decline from 59% in May 2025 to at or below 38% in May 2029.
    • GoPM 1.3: Accelerating Below Grade Level Literacy Growth. The percentage of K-2 students who start the year not yet mastering grade level literacy skills as measured by the STAR assessment and are making accelerated growth will increase from XX% in May 2027 to at least YY% in May 2029.

The targets below represent the annual targets for each of the interim progress measures:

School Year 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31
Goal 1 Targets 45% 53% 62% 71% 80%
GoPM 1.1 Targets Baseline TBD TBD TBD TBD
GoPM 1.2 Targets 55% 47% 38% TBD TBD
GoPM 1.3 Targets Baseline  TBD TBD TBD TBD
Goal or Goal Progress Measure (GoPM) Board Presentation Date
Goal 1: K-2 Early Literacy Skills August 4, 2026
GoPM 1.1: Maintaining Grade Level Literacy Skills March 2, 2027 (MY 26-27)
GoPM 1.2: Reducing Below Grade Level Literacy January 5, 2027 (BOY 26-27)
GoPM 1.3: Accelerating Below Grade Level Literacy Growth May 4, 2027 (MY 26-27)
Goal 2: High School Graduation
APS graduate hugging their parent

APS’ four-year graduation rate for students in APS-operated schools will increase from 76.4% in May 2025 to at least 85% in May 2031. (Adopted February 17, 2026)

Interim Measures include the Goal and the Goal Progress Measures (GoPM)

  • Goal 2: High School Graduation
    • GoPM 2.1: 9-11th Grade Credits on Track. The percentage of 9-11th grade students on track to graduate (including active and inactive students who have dropped out) by earning the necessary credits in required subjects will increase from 47.7% in May 2026 to at least 62.7% in May 2029.
    • GoPM 2.2: 12th Grade On Track Menu of Options and Credits Combined. The percentage of 12th grade students (including active and inactive students who have dropped out) who are on track to graduate by earning the necessary credits in required subjects AND fulfilling the menu of options in Reading/Writing/Communications and Math will increase from XX%  in May 2026 to at least 82.2% in May 2029.

The targets below represent the annual targets for each of the interim progress measures:

School Year 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31
Goal 2 Targets 79.4% 80.8% 82.2% 83.6% 85%
GoPM 2.1 Targets 52.7% 57.7% 62.7% TBD TBD
GoPM 2.2 Targets 79.4% 80.8% 82.2% TBD TBD
Goal or Goal Progress Measure (GoPM) Board Presentation Date
Goal 2: High School Graduation February 2, 2027
GoPM 2.1: 9-11th Grade Credits on Track November 3, 2026 (EOY 25-26)
GoPM 2.2: 12th Grade On Track Menu of Options and Credits Combined September 1, 2026 (EOY 25-26)
March 2, 2027 (MY 26-27)
Goal 3: Multilingual Student Language Acquisition
Student on computer with staff member

Of students in APS operated schools, the percentage of 3rd-12th grade multilingual students, who are off-track with English language acquisition, will decrease from 60% in SY 2024-25 to at or below 45% in SY 2030-2031. (Adopted February 17, 2026)

Interim Measures include the Goal and the Goal Progress Measures (GoPM)

  • Goal 3: Multilingual Student Language Acquisition
    • GoPM 3.1: Improvement in NEP/LEP Student Performance on Reading Assessment. Of 3-12 multilingual students in APS-operated schools, who are at the non-English Proficient (NEP) and Limited English Proficient (LEP) level, the percentage scoring at the approaching or above proficiency level as measured by the STAR Reading assessment will increase from XX% in May 2027 to at least YY% in May 2029.

The targets below represent the annual targets for each of the interim progress measures:

School Year 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31
Goal 3 Targets 58% 56% 53% 50% 45%
GoPM 3.1 Targets Baseline TBD TBD TBD TBD

The BOE videos addressing the Goal 3 progress measures will be posted here.

The Progress Monitoring Reports addressing Goal 3 progress measures will be posted here.

Goal or Goal Progress Measure (GoPM) Board Presentation Date
Goal 3: Multilingual Learner English Language Acquisition October 6, 2026 (EOY 25-26)
GoPM 3.1: Improvement in NEP/LEP Student Performance on Reading Assessment December 1, 2026 (BOY 26-27)
April 6, 2027
June 1, 2027

Board Guardrails

Guardrail 1: Whole Child & Postsecondary Readiness Opportunities
Preschool graduate speaking on microphone

The Superintendent must not let academic urgency outweigh the need for diverse programs that prepare and support the whole child for post-secondary readiness. (Adopted February 17, 2026)

Superintendent's Interpretation:

“I interpret this limitation as the BoE’s expectation that the academic and developmental needs of the whole-child are centered throughout the learning experience. As such, the superintendent is expected to create systems and opportunities that maintain a balance in meeting students’ academic, physical, social, and emotional needs and skill development preparing them to thrive in college, career, and life. I also interpret this guardrail as a push for innovation and creative programming that is not limited by traditional or conservative methods and ideas about engaging students in learning.”

Interim Measures include the Guardrail and the Guardrail Progress Measures (GuPM)

  • Guardrail 1: Whole Child and Postsecondary Readiness
    • GuPM 1.1: Big Three. The percentage of active 12th grade students doing one of the following during their high school career:
      • Earning any college credits;
      • Earning an industry recognized credential; or
      • Participating in a Level 2 or 3 work-based learning experience will increase from XX% in SY2026-27 to at least YY% in SY 2028-29.
    • GuPM 1.2: Student Whole Child Needs.  The percentage of 3-12 grade students who respond positively that their whole child needs are centered in the learning experience as measured through annual surveys will remain at or above XX% for SY 2026-27 through SY 2028-29.

The targets below represent the annual targets for each of the interim progress measures:

School Year 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31
GuPM 1.1 Targets Baseline TBD TBD TBD TBD
GuPM 1.2 Targets Baseline  TBD TBD TBD TBD

The BOE videos addressing the Guardrail 1 progress measures will be posted here.

The Progress Monitoring Reports addressing Guardrail 1 progress measures will be posted here.

Guardrail or Guardrail Progress Measure (GuPM) Board Presentation Date
GuPM 1.1: Big Three March 2, 2027 (MY 26-27)
GuPM 1.2: Student Whole Child Needs December 1, 2026 (BOY 26-27)
Guardrail 2: Safety, Dignity, and Well-being of Students, Families, and Staff
Parent with their three students

The Superintendent shall not cause or allow conditions in the district that compromise the physical or psychological safety, dignity, or well-being of students, staff, families, or community members. (Adopted February 17, 2026)

Superintendent's Interpretation:

“I interpret this to mean that the board has an expectation that I create the systems and structures that uphold a safe (physical and psychological), culturally sustaining and inclusive environment for students, staff and families. My decisions must consider the direct impact on the diverse community and students we serve, and should not intentionally cause harm, exclude, or isolate any member of our community.”

Interim Measures include the Guardrail and the Guardrail Progress Measures (GuPM)

  • Guardrail 2: Whole Child and Postsecondary Readiness
    • GuPM 2.1: Student, Staff and Family Safety & Belonging. The percentage of students, staff and families responding positively to annual surveys that they are experiencing an APS environment where they feel safe and that they belong will remain at or above XX% for SY 2026-27 through SY 2028-29.

The targets below represent the annual targets for each of the interim progress measures:

School Year 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31
GuPM 2.1 Targets Baseline TBD TBD TBD TBD

The BOE videos addressing the Guardrail 2 progress measures will be posted here.

The Progress Monitoring Reports addressing Guardrail 2 progress measures will be posted here.

Guardrail or Guardrail Progress Measure (GuPM) Board Presentation Date
GuPM 2.1: Student, Staff and Family Safety & Belonging January 5, 2027
Guardrail 3: BIPOC Educator, Principal and Assistant Principal Representation
Four smiling APS staff members

The Superintendent will not allow systemic barriers in the recruitment and retention of Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) educators compared to all educators in APS-operated schools. (Adopted February 17, 2026)

Superintendent's Interpretation:

“I interpret this limitation as the board’s desire and expectation that APS maintains an educator workforce that is reflective of the diverse body of students and community we serve. Research shows improved academic achievement for students of color who are taught by at least one educator of color. This specific guardrail speaks to the board’s attention to racial diversity of its licensed staff, principals and assistant principals. The superintendent is expected to identify and eliminate any system or structure that causes disparate outcomes in the recruitment and/or retention of BIPOC educators.”

Interim Measures include the Guardrail and the Guardrail Progress Measures (GuPM)

  • Guardrail 3: Whole Child and Postsecondary Readiness
    • GuPM 3.1: BIPOC Licensed, Principal & Assistant Principal Belonging. The percentage of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) licensed staff, principals and assistant principals positively responding that they are experiencing a sense of belonging via staff surveys will remain at or above XX% for SY 2026-27 through SY 2028-29.
    • GuPM 3.2: BIPOC Licensed, Principal & AP Retention. The percentage of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) licensed staff, principals and assistant principals who are retained year over year will remain at or above XX% for SY 2027-28 school year through SY 2029-30.

The targets below represent the annual targets for each of the interim progress measures:

School Year 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 2030-31
GuPM 3.1 Targets Baseline TBD TBD TBD TBD
GuPM 3.2 Targets Baseline  TBD TBD TBD TBD

The BOE videos addressing the Guardrail 3 progress measures will be posted here.

The Progress Monitoring Reports addressing Guardrail 3 progress measures will be posted here.

Guardrail or Guardrail Progress Measure (GuPM) Board Presentation Date
GuPM 3.1: BIPOC Licensed, Principal & Assistant Principal Belonging January 5, 2027
GuPM 3.2: BIPOC Licensed, Principal & Assistant Principal Retention November 3, 2026