Legislative Update - Wednesday, January 19

January 19, 2011

Today, legislation was introduced in the House and Senate. The session will reconvene at 10 a.m. tomorrow, when more legislation is expected to be introduced.

The state Public Education Department released an outline of the Governor’s Education plan. Gov. Martinez is proposing a comprehensive reform package titled, “Kids First, New Mexico Wins.” Read the release >>

The plan comprises four key initiatives:

1. Prioritize classroom spending over bureaucracy with a goal of returning fiscal discipline to the PED and local school districts.
2. Create a school grading system to recognize and reward progress, reverse failure and help struggling schools and students.
3. End social promotion -- the practice of passing children from one grade to the next before they have mastered the basics -- in third, fifth and eighth grade.
4. Create a blueprint for evaluating, rewarding and incentivizing effective teaching and leadership in schools and districts.