‘I am confident we can do worse’
New Mexico is currently 50th in the nation in education and 77 percent of New Mexico fourth graders are not proficient in reading — with 79 percent of the eighth graders not proficient at math.
I guess pulling funds from charters and public schools is following the “less is more” philosophy — since our state government officials seem intent on helping education “race to the bottom.” Our civil servants forget is that there are so many other areas that education touches, where they can help build that concrete speedway to the basement. I think as a state we need to focus on where we still have not quite hit 50th.
Here are some areas that legislators should think about removing funding. Let’s help make New Mexico last in all categories.
As they say, once you hit rock bottom, the only movement is up, unless Puerto Rico asks for statehood, or if D.C. actually granted statehood. Then we can move to 51st or 52nd.
In sexually transmitted diseases we are currently 46th. Come on state reps. Defund all and any sex education. We can do it New Mexico!
I suggest you do not fund any school lunches unless they use lower quality foods with preservatives and hormones. It’s disappointing New Mexico, child obesity only ranks 42nd, but I believe if we pull together we can do worse.
Good news though: for the third-consecutive year New Mexico ranks 49th overall for childhood well-being. In the same report, the 2016 Kids Count Data Book, we also come dead last in childhood poverty.
Wow, New Mexico ranks 50th in poverty, thank you Gov. Susanna and working members of Congress. Great work, “jobs governor.”
Unfortunately, childhood health is on the rise, currently 44th. At least, we can hold our heads up high and say we are in the bottom 10, but with our current priorities, I am confident we can do worse.
As we all know, education really does so little to improve children’s lives. We certainly aren’t in charge of feeding, clothing, providing health care, shelter, counseling, and of course, education for our state’s children.
I encourage you to write your representatives, and tell them you will accept no less than last for New Mexico.
Greywolf is director of Taos Integrated School of the Arts (TISA).
Rich, I applaud your approach to admonishing leadership for the deplorable ratings we enjoy in NM. I wonder if the local communities have a role in expecting, if not demanding, better performance by schools in general. Those of us close to these institutions can impact their performance. I note with some degree of pride that Red River Valley Charter school is among the highest rated in the state. What makes the difference? I think community expectations are reflected in the teachers and administrators sense of pride in what they do. Maybe we have some work to do?