A World Class Education: Strategic Plan, 2010-2015
Author: New Mexico Public Education Department
Date: 2010-07-00
Type: Reports - Descriptive
Subjects: Strategic Planning,Public Schools,Elementary Secondary Education,American Indians,High School Graduates,Academic Achievement,Educational Change,Engineering,Hispanic American Students,Rural Areas,Educational Legislation,Teacher Effectiveness,Teacher Recruitment,Administrator Effectiveness,Accountability,Cultural Differences,Teacher Expectations of Students,Grants,College Preparation,Career Development,Educational Policy,Achievement Gap,Low Income,Minority Groups,Curriculum Design

New Mexico's unique demographics and rich intellectual assets, including two of the three largest national engineering and science research laboratories in the country (Sandia and Los Alamos), provide an excellent national setting for educational transformation. With approximately 320,000 K-12 students, New Mexico's demographics are distinctive: 57% of the State's K-12 students is Hispanic; 29% is White; 11% is Native American; 3% is Black; and 1% is Asian or of other backgrounds. New Mexico is ranked 36th in overall population size, has the fifth largest land mass in the U.S. (121,665 square miles), and ranks 45th in the nation in population density. With only 6.3 people per square mile, New Mexico faces unique challenges in educating students in rural areas. Seeking to build on its unique demographics and geography, New Mexico launched an education reform agenda in 2003 through passage of HB 212 Public School Reforms. This landmark legislation, introduced by a teacher-legislator from Albuquerque, marked a critical milestone when New Mexicans came together around fundamental concerns. That is, attracting and retaining quality teachers and principals; holding students, teachers, schools, LEAs (local education agencies), charters, and the State accountable for student performance; providing a culturally diverse curriculum with high expectations for all students; and providing better support for students, educators, families, and schools. Despite this legislation, educational performance in New Mexico has only seen nominal gains, as verified by major legislative reviews; large achievement gaps separate low-income students and students of color from others. In April 2010, New Mexico's Secretary of Education convened a group of nearly 75 legislative and education leaders, business and community members, and other key stakeholders regarding the Phase II Race to the Top grant application. The decision of the group, supported by Governor Bill Richardson, was that New Mexico is well-positioned to undertake ongoing education reform; the State should move forward, and do so enthusiastically and thoughtfully. Through the College and Career Readiness Policy Institute (CCRPI) Action Plan, New Mexico has articulated a comprehensive, college and career ready, high school graduation initiative for the state's unique population. National CCRPI partners--including Achieve, National Governors Association, Education Council, Jobs for the Future, and Data Quality Campaign--helped a diverse group of New Mexico policy, business, community, and education leaders to develop and build upon cutting edge strategies grounded in current research. This plan weaves the essential elements of the HB 212 Public School Reforms, the ongoing education reform defined within the 2010 Race to the Top grant application, and the articulated initiatives outlined in the College and Career Readiness Policy Institute Action Plan to create bold educational transformational challenge for New Mexico.