News – New Mexico Education https://nmeducation.org Your home for all things education in The Land of Enchantment Mon, 22 Jan 2024 20:55:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 https://nmeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/11-29-2021_NewMexico_NMEducationLogo_V1-08-150x150.png News – New Mexico Education https://nmeducation.org 32 32 202004729 Two APS Superintendent Candidates Remain as Public Forum Approaches https://nmeducation.org/two-aps-superintendent-candidates-remain-as-public-forum-approaches/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 22:00:00 +0000 https://nmeducation.org/?p=5409 Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) has selected Thomas Ahart and Gabriella Durán Blakey as the finalists for the superintendent position, following Mason Bellamy's withdrawal from consideration. The APS Board of Education made this decision after a series of interviews and community engagement efforts, aiming to fill the crucial role of leading the district's strategic plan and daily operations for over 140 schools. Public forums on January 30 will offer citizens an opportunity to interact with the finalists and gather valuable insights into their motivations and visions.

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]]> 5409 Education System to Receive Another Significant Boost from Proposed Budget Plans https://nmeducation.org/education-system-to-receive-another-significant-boost-from-proposed-budget-plans/ Thu, 18 Jan 2024 22:00:00 +0000 https://nmeducation.org/?p=5402 Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's proposed budget for FY25, along with the Legislative Finance Committee's budget recommendations, include substantial investments in education to improve student outcomes. The governor's budget includes totals $10.5 billion, a 9.9 percent increase from the previous fiscal year, with allocations to expand pre-k, lengthen school calendars, and continue structured literacy initiatives. The Legislative Finance Committee's recommendation mirrors the governor's proposal, totaling a $10.1 billion spending plan that includes a 5.8 percent increase in general fund appropriations for public education, addressing issues highlighted in the Yazzie-Martinez education sufficiency lawsuit.

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]]> 5402 Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham Highlights Plan to Improve Education in State of the State Address https://nmeducation.org/governor-michelle-lujan-grisham-highlights-plan-to-improve-education-in-state-of-the-state-address/ Wed, 17 Jan 2024 01:45:06 +0000 https://nmeducation.org/?p=5396 In her State of the State address, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham outlined a comprehensive plan for education reform in New Mexico, emphasizing the state's achievements in literacy and the need for further investments. She proposed a $30 million investment for a statewide literacy institute and summer programs, and advocated for extending the school year to 180 days to enhance educational outcomes. Additionally, Lujan Grisham called for $30 million to place “experts” in low-performing schools to address challenges and improve student performance, her speech marked the start of the 2024 legislative session.

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]]> 5396 APS Board Narrows Superintendent Candidates to Four https://nmeducation.org/aps-board-narrows-superintendent-candidates-to-four/ Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://nmeducation.org/?p=5389 The Albuquerque Public School Board of Education is facing a pivotal decision as they narrow their search for the next superintendent from a pool of four distinguished candidates. Each candidate brings a unique set of qualifications and experiences, ranging from expertise in educational equity and virtual schools to complex system management and community engagement. The board is conducting virtual interviews and public forums to engage with the community and ensure a transparent selection process, emphasizing the importance of finding a leader who prioritizes student learning and the district's strategic goals. The public will have an opportunity to hear from the superintendent candidates on January 30 when the school board hosts an all-day series of community input meetings..

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]]> 5389 Shaping Success in the South Valley https://nmeducation.org/shaping-success-in-the-south-valley/ Fri, 12 Jan 2024 22:00:00 +0000 https://nmeducation.org/?p=5356 Albuquerque Collegiate, a high-performing charter school in the South Valley of Albuquerque, is challenging traditional education norms by providing structured and ambitious education to its students since its founding in 2018. Despite its unconventional location within a shopping center, the school's commitment to serving a community in need of “excellent education” opportunities has yielded successful results, with proficiency rates exceeding state averages. Alongside a unique teaching model, the school's emphasis on student engagement, accessibility, and initiatives like "Wrap it up Wednesday" showcase Albuquerque Collegiate's dedication to nurturing well-rounded students who excel academically and value hard work and perseverance in their educational journey.

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]]> 5356 New Faces and Leaders on APS School Board https://nmeducation.org/new-faces-and-leaders-on-aps-school-board/ Wed, 10 Jan 2024 22:00:00 +0000 https://nmeducation.org/?p=5360 The 2023 Albuquerque Public School Board elections have come and gone, and now new leadership is stepping up. Ronalda Tome-Warito became the first-ever Native American school board member, Janelle Astorga was sworn in as the youngest board member ever elected, Heather Benevidez, who was elected to the District 4 seat; these are the three new members on the seven-member board. Danielle Gonzales was elected as the new board president, while Tome-Warito became the vice president and Astorga was chosen to be secretary.

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]]> 5360 Secretary Romero Calls for Accountability https://nmeducation.org/secretary-romero-calls-for-accountability/ Wed, 03 Jan 2024 22:00:00 +0000 https://nmeducation.org/?p=5352 New Mexico's Secretary of Education, Arsenio Romero, sent a stern letter to district leaders calling for accountability in the state's education system due to concerns about persistently low-performing schools and the need for excellence. The letter, dated November 21, followed the delayed release of student performance data and school designations. While there was a four percent increase in statewide reading proficiency for the 2022-2023 school year, math proficiency slightly decreased, with reading proficiency at 38 percent and math proficiency at 24 percent. Romero emphasized the importance of accountability and called for a unified effort to improve education outcomes for the state's children.

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]]> 5352 Superintendents Discuss Efforts to Combat Absenteeism in New Mexico https://nmeducation.org/superintendents-discuss-efforts-to-combat-absenteeism-in-new-mexico/ Tue, 02 Jan 2024 20:00:00 +0000 https://nmeducation.org/?p=5348 Education officials, superintendents, and legislators convened in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to address chronic student absenteeism in the state's schools. The discussion highlighted the impact of systemic societal issues like housing, transportation, drug addiction, and mental health, with panelists emphasizing the need to redefine chronic absenteeism and make schools more appealing to students. School leaders said that additional support is necessary to combat this issue of chronic absenteeism.

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]]> 5348 Debate Ignites Over New Mexico’s Proposed School Calendar Changes https://nmeducation.org/debate-ignites-over-new-mexicos-proposed-school-calendar-changes/ Tue, 26 Dec 2023 22:00:00 +0000 https://nmeducation.org/?p=5343 A contentious debate has erupted in New Mexico as the state's Public Education Department (PED) proposes a standardized minimum of 180 instructional days per year for all schools, regardless of their weekly schedule. While rural districts, House Republicans, and education officials are divided in their support and opposition, critics argue that such decisions should remain local. The proposal, which aims to address low proficiency rates, has sparked a robust discussion about balancing standardization and local flexibility in school calendars.

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]]> 5343 Bridging Worlds for Native American Education in New Mexico https://nmeducation.org/bridging-worlds-for-native-american-education-in-new-mexico/ Sat, 23 Dec 2023 19:26:44 +0000 https://nmeducation.org/?p=5338 KatieAnn Juanico, the newly appointed Assistant Secretary of Indian Education in New Mexico, is on a mission to bridge the gap between two worlds for Native American students. Raised oin a small pueblo, Juanico draws from her personal journey to navigate the challenges of balancing cultural heritage with Westernized education. With a focus on cultural relevance, community engagement, and an inspiring message for indigenous youth, she is determined to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for Native American students in the state.

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