education

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.

An Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education committee will consider a proposed new policy Thursday regarding parental responsibility in children’s education and access to student records, including those related to accessing counseling. But there’s opposition to the proposal from several groups, including the Albuquerque Teachers Federation and GLSEN New Mexico — an LGBTQ student advocacy organization — due to concern that the policy could harm both students and teachers.

New Mexico is facing a serious teacher shortage. Schools have had to adapt quickly in the pandemic, leaving many educators to take on more roles than ever before. A handful of teachers talk about how burnout has affected both their professional and personal lives.

We’re at the halfway point of the session, this time talking with reporter Shaun Griswold from Source New Mexico on #YNMG. Source NM has had journalists at the Roundhouse throughout the session watching crime, energy, pandemic relief, and more. Griswold has covered different areas too, but focused on education. We’ll get caught up on the ed bills in front of the legislature and some of the other stories coming from Source NM. Have a listen.

The term "critical race theory" has made its way into public debates over education in the Mountain West, and how students should be taught about race and…

President Biden has laid out his vision for the future of public education, which includes a nationwide community college tuition waiver for all Americans…