education

Governor Lujan Grisham recently signed an executive order to create the Office of Special Education, which is the first of its kind in New Mexico. A special education advocate spoke more about what gaps currently exist and how this office should work to bridge them.

As New Mexico students continue to lag behind nationally, lawmakers in the last session not only extended instructional time, but allocated $20 million to expand learning opportunities outside the classroom. This is the last week for local education agencies and their partner organizations to apply for the funds.

Going to school when you don’t feel good can make learning hard. New Mexico has struggled to climb out of our last place ranking in education but also with providing quality healthcare. School based health centers may be a solution.

The next school year starting in August will be longer after legislation passed in the most recent session was signed by the governor. House Bill 130 mandates extra instructional hours and it has prompted concern among educators already facing burnout.

In New Mexico, one in five children face hunger, making the state second in the nation for food insecurity in youth. That’s coupled with the fact that the state has seen persistent dismal education rankings and outcomes for students. However, this week/recently the federal government unveiled new grants and funding to bolster our children’s health so they can perform well in school.

New Mexico’s long standing education challenges were made worse in the COVID-19 pandemic as chronic absenteeism soared. Forty percent of kids missed at least 10 days of school during the last academic year and some districts saw that rise to 66%. Lawmakers want to address these issues by adding additional learning hours, but some teachers say that could increase burnout.

Nationally, 1 in 5 teens cannot afford menstrual products and most have missed school as a result. To address the issue in New Mexico, youth advocates are working with lawmakers to create menstrual equity for every student in public school.

The 2023 legislative session is in full swing; with representatives and senators settling in and discussing bills. KUNM spoke with Gwyneth Doland, a political correspondent for New Mexico PBS, who was in Santa Fe this week talking to lawmakers about their priorities for this 60-day session and how it feels to be back in person.

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to impact New Mexico’s economy and its education systems. Now inflation is adding to those stressors. Julia Bergen of Communities in Schools, which works with students at risk of dropping out in 12 Title I schools in Santa Fe, explains how her staff tries to support students so they make it to graduation.

On this week’s Let’s Talk New Mexico, we’ll take a look at the state’s current gun laws, the psychological effects of gun violence on students, teachers, and staff, and potential solutions to prevent school shootings.