Legislative Education Study Committee Archives - New Mexico Education https://nmeducation.org/tag/lesc/ Your home for all things education in The Land of Enchantment Thu, 28 Mar 2024 20:28:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://nmeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/11-29-2021_NewMexico_NMEducationLogo_V1-08-150x150.png Legislative Education Study Committee Archives - New Mexico Education https://nmeducation.org/tag/lesc/ 32 32 202004729 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.

The post Superintendents Discuss Efforts to Combat Absenteeism in New Mexico appeared first on New Mexico Education.

]]> 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.

The post Debate Ignites Over New Mexico’s Proposed School Calendar Changes appeared first on New Mexico Education.

]]> 5343 Legislators Review Efforts to Combat Chronic Absenteeism https://nmeducation.org/legislators-review-efforts-to-combat-chronic-absenteeism/ Fri, 15 Dec 2023 00:03:16 +0000 https://nmeducation.org/?p=5319 The State of New Mexico faces a chronic absenteeism crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the passage of the “Attendance for Success Act” (AFSA) in 2019, schools struggled to combat high absenteeism rates, reaching 40 percent in the 2021-2022 school year. The AFSA introduced a tiered approach to address absenteeism, but challenges such as understaffed attendance offices and issues at home have prompted recommendations for increased investment in attendance staff and improved data collection.

The post Legislators Review Efforts to Combat Chronic Absenteeism appeared first on New Mexico Education.

]]> 5319 National Council of Teacher Quality Advocates for Improved Teacher Workforce Data https://nmeducation.org/national-council-of-teacher-quality-advocates-for-improved-teacher-workforce-data/ Fri, 01 Dec 2023 22:00:00 +0000 https://nmeducation.org/?p=5312 During a recent Legislative Education Study Committee, Shannon Houston from the National Council of Teacher Quality (NCTQ) highlighted the significant gaps in the state's teacher workforce data. Houston emphasized how these deficiencies hinder effective decision-making and policy formulation, stressing the need for improved data on teacher vacancies, reasons for leaving the profession, and future demands. She recommended identifying subject areas with shortages, analyzing teacher distribution, and enhancing teacher preparation programs, citing successful examples from other states and offering NCTQ's assistance to implement these changes.

The post National Council of Teacher Quality Advocates for Improved Teacher Workforce Data appeared first on New Mexico Education.

]]> 5312 Legislators Discuss Stagnant Academic Progress Amid Rising Education Spending https://nmeducation.org/legislators-discuss-stagnant-academic-progress-amid-rising-education-spending/ Mon, 27 Nov 2023 21:00:00 +0000 https://nmeducation.org/?p=5304 New Mexico faces scrutiny over its education funding and student performance, with legislators expressing frustration over stagnant academic results despite increased spending. The state's education funding formula, dating back to 1974, is challenged by declining student enrollment and evolving educational needs. Legislators criticize the Public Education Department for not adequately addressing issues raised by the 2018 Yazzie/Martinez decision, particularly for marginalized student groups, despite significant investment in the education sector.

The post Legislators Discuss Stagnant Academic Progress Amid Rising Education Spending appeared first on New Mexico Education.

]]> 5304 Legislators Review Education Assessment Data and Discuss Strategies for Improvement https://nmeducation.org/legislators-review-education-assessment-data-and-discuss-strategies-for-improvement/ Fri, 17 Nov 2023 22:00:00 +0000 https://nmeducation.org/?p=5294 New Mexico State Legislators met at the state capitol to assess the latest education assessment results and discuss ways to improve student outcomes on November 16. The meeting highlighted the significance of assessment data, including ELA and mathematics proficiency, with a notable four percent increase in ELA proficiency statewide. However, concerns were raised about data delays, prompting discussions on expediting the release of data and enhancing accountability for student outcomes in the future.

The post Legislators Review Education Assessment Data and Discuss Strategies for Improvement appeared first on New Mexico Education.

]]> 5294 Legislators Discuss Efforts to Boost Bi-literacy and Mathematics Education https://nmeducation.org/legislators-discuss-efforts-to-boost-biliteracy-and-mathematics-education/ Sat, 07 Oct 2023 21:00:00 +0000 https://nmeducation.org/?p=5225 New Mexico's Public Education Department is actively implementing evidence-based strategies to enhance biliteracy and mathematics education in the state's schools, addressing concerns about reading and math proficiency levels. The department is focusing on the science of reading to improve literacy, especially among emergent bilingual students. Additionally, the state is rolling out micro-credentials to enhance K-5 educators' math knowledge, aiming to provide professional development opportunities for teachers and bridge achievement gaps among student groups.

The post Legislators Discuss Efforts to Boost Bi-literacy and Mathematics Education appeared first on New Mexico Education.

]]> 5225 Fully Funded Education System Needs to Perform https://nmeducation.org/fully-funded-education-system-needs-to-perform/ Wed, 28 Jun 2023 16:00:00 +0000 https://nmeducation.org/?p=5072 With a significant investment of over $6 billion, the government aims to enhance the care and education of children and support the academic advancement of young adults. Initiatives such as Home Visiting, affordable childcare, prekindergarten classrooms, and increased funding for public schools and scholarships are part of this comprehensive approach. However, the key now lies in implementing evidence-based programs effectively. Strengthening accountability, transparency, and strategies is crucial to ensure that the funds are utilized optimally. Statewide frameworks, unified reporting, and data analysis are needed to measure progress and improve outcomes.

The post Fully Funded Education System Needs to Perform appeared first on New Mexico Education.

]]> 5072 Education Secretary Makes Debut Presentation at LESC https://nmeducation.org/education-secretary-makes-debut-presentation-at-lesc/ Mon, 22 May 2023 18:00:00 +0000 https://nmeducation.org/?p=4988 Secretary of Education, Arsenio Romero discusses the coming year and the future of education in New Mexico during the recent May Legislative Education Study Committee meeting.

The post Education Secretary Makes Debut Presentation at LESC appeared first on New Mexico Education.

]]> 4988 Albuquerque Chamber report backs overhaul of principal preparation, support https://nmeducation.org/albuquerque-chamber-report-backs-overhaul-of-principal-preparation-support/ Fri, 02 Dec 2022 20:05:27 +0000 https://nmeducation.org/?p=4771 Among the recommendations in the report, presented to the Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC) in mid-November, is a complete reboot of principal preparation programs across the state. 

The post Albuquerque Chamber report backs overhaul of principal preparation, support appeared first on New Mexico Education.

]]> 4771