education funding

Albuquerque Public Schools is changing how it allocates federal funds designed to help ensure an equitable education for students living in poverty. It means some schools in APS will see less funding from the state.

The workforce shortage in New Mexico has been a growing issue as the state recovers from the pandemic. That includes skilled trades like electricians. A new program focuses on helping high school students get into that field and build the workforce.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich has proposed a bill that could close gaps in bilingual education by getting more literacy coaches on the ground in schools.

Albuquerque Public Schools is holding community forums this week as it stares down budget cuts. While the numbers aren’t finalized, administrators Monday said they expect to be working with around 13% less next fiscal year. They broke down the various pots of money the total will get split into and asked community members which programs they’d prioritize over others. Some participants were displeased, saying they wanted more specifics and more money to work with.

The New Mexico Legislature passed several education bills in the session that ended Thursday, but not all reforms passed.

New Mexico ranks last in the nation in child literacy, with almost 80% of children not proficient in reading by fourth grade. Governor Michelle Lujhan Grisham is pushing lawmakers to make greater investments in literacy.

Albuquerque residents have several bonds on their ballots this election related to education. Central New Mexico Community College, Albuquerque Public Schools, and city libraries and museums all stand to receive millions in public funding for capital projects. The largest of the three, which will appear on Bernalillo and Sandoval County ballots, is for CNM, which stands to receive $80 million for campus improvements.

These midterm elections saw a swell of support nationally for Democrats by younger voters. KUNM's Jeanette DeDios talked to young voters at the University of New Mexico polling station to find out what issues brought them out. She sat down with News Director Megan Kamerick.

In 2021, a record number of people quit their jobs, what economists are calling the Great Resignation. While COVID was certainly a factor, experts say people were already exiting their jobs at an increasing rate starting in 2009. Now New Mexico Highlands University plans to use new funding to address mass exits and burnout in northern New Mexico.

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.