State of New Mexico secondary Archives: on Education
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
Enact an equity-first budget for public education
We will enact an equity-first budget for public education, ensuring money reaches students and schools in proportion to the socioeconomic needs of community. We will tackle reforms in special education. We will move forward with a constitutional
amendment to invest in early childhood education and well-being. Together we will deliver to New Mexico voters the opportunity to make a generational investment in New Mexico children.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to New Mexico legislature
Jan 26, 2021
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
Supports tuition-free two-year higher education
We will deploy funding to realize free higher education for all New Mexicans. We were able to reach almost 5,000 New Mexico students with the Opportunity Scholarship in the fall 2020 semester alone, fully covering their tuition and fees at two-year
institutions. If the Legislature will commit the full $22 million in funding I've requested for this program this year, 30,000 more New Mexicans will have access to the two-year higher education they need without worrying about tuition and fees.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to New Mexico legislature
Jan 26, 2021
Bob Walsh:
Taxpayers shouldn't help pay off existing student loans
Q: Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
A: Under no circumstance should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
Gavin Clarkson:
YOU agree to pay back student loans, not the taxpayers
Q: Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?A:
None. It's egregious to expect an auto mechanic who paid their way through technical school to pay off loans for someone who majored in art history and cannot find a job. When you agree to take out a loan, YOU agree to pay it back, not the taxpayers.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
Mark Ronchetti:
Give parents opportunity to choose the right public school
A quality education is one of the most important factors in helping every child chase his or her dreams. For too long, our leaders have let our education system fall behind all of our neighboring states. Mark will fight for public charter schools in
New Mexico and the value they bring to underserved communities. Giving parents the opportunity to choose the right public school for their child should be a freedom that is accessible to all New Mexicans.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website MarkRonchetti.com
Aug 30, 2020
Ben Ray Lujan:
Dismantle skyrocketing costs of higher education
Currently, a college education is out of reach for far too many or it leaves young people saddled with unmanageable debt for decades. This must change. I am a proud supporter of multiple pieces of legislation designed to dismantle the skyrocketing costs
of higher education. Despite a growing economy, I know we still need greater resources to encourage young people to build their lives and careers in New Mexico through technical training and apprenticeships.
Source: 2020 New Mexico Senate campaign website BenRayLujan .com
Jul 8, 2020
Bob Walsh:
Supports vouchers for school choice
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Vouchers for school choice"?
A: Strongly support
Source: OnTheIssues interview for 2020 New Mexico race
May 1, 2020
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
Pay teachers more; hire more teachers: education a priority
It would be inaccurate to say we chose education as our top priority. Transforming our public education ecosystem is no less than a moral mandate. We've got to pay educators more and we've got to hire more educators.
In our first two years, we will have provided a 10 percent across-the-board raise for our educators--as compared to only 6% total over the eight years before that. Once again: Education was not a priority then. It is now.
Source: 2020 New Mexico State of the State address
Jan 21, 2020
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
Make tuition-free higher education a reality
New Mexico was the first to guarantee higher education for all. Now, we as a state have fallen behind. We can round out our world-class cradle-to-career educational philosophy with a comprehensive embrace of universal higher education:
The Opportunity Scholarship. We have the power to make tuition-free higher education a reality, benefiting an astounding 55,000 New Mexico students this fall. Students want it; parents want it; let's give them the opportunity.
Source: 2020 New Mexico State of the State address
Jan 21, 2020
Maggie Toulouse Oliver:
Focus on best education within our public school system
Asked how she stands apart from Ben Ray Lujan, Toulouse Oliver suggested she would bring a different voice to the race--that of a single mother still paying off student loans and a candidate who has pledged to reject funding from industries such as
pharmaceuticals. "I've been raising kids and trying to get the best education for them within our school system, and contending with student loan debt and these issues that everyday New Mexicans deal with," she said.
Source: Santa Fe New Mexican on 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Apr 24, 2019
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
Raise school salaries; pay for supplies; universal pre-K
We are going to deliver a moonshot for public education in New Mexico: A half billion dollars for our classrooms, new money, put to its best possible use, right now. We are going to raise our educators' salaries by 6 percent across the board.
We are going to raise the minimum salaries for every level of educators by at least 10 percent. And we're putting $5 million into a fund for teachers to buy supplies for their classrooms - so that they are no longer paying out of pocket.
This is the moment we put New Mexico on the path to universal pre-k. We need the classroom slots, we need the educators, and we need the educators who will educate the educators. My budget calls for investing $60 million in new pre-k classroom slots
so we increase our statewide enrollment to 80 percent within the next five years. And that includes money for early childhood educator scholarships, so that we are proactively building and supporting the next generation of top-flight educators.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to New Mexico legislature
Jan 15, 2019
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
Target aid for Native American & bilingual students
I have proposed an almost 200 percent increase in our Indian Education Fund. Our Native American students will not be left behind. And an additional $55 million for our bilingual and multicultural programs, training more dual-language qualified teachers
and ensuring bilingual families will not be left behind. Let our unique multicultural identity be a shining light for this country. Let us show the world how inclusion and empowerment make all of us stronger.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to New Mexico legislature
Jan 15, 2019
Gavin Clarkson:
Concealed carry in the classroom for select teachers
Q: What gun law changes would you support?A: I'd support concealed carry in the classroom for select teachers and administrators.
Q: What other measures would you support to make schools safer?
A: After 9/11, we didn't go on a
nationwide hunt to ban box cutters. Instead we made it harder to get them onto planes. Likewise with schools, we need to harden soft targets. Local school systems should be able to allow concealed carry in the classroom for teachers with proper training.
Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Nov 1, 2018
Gavin Clarkson:
Constitution doesn't mention education, so keep feds out
Q: Should the federal government play a role in setting education policy for the nation's public schools? A: Article I, Section 8 explicitly delegates specific powers to Congress. Altogether, the Constitution lists
30 to 35 (depending how they are counted), education is mentioned nowhere in the entire document. My position, and I think the position of our nation's Founding Fathers, is local control of local schools.
Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2020 New Mexico Senate race
Nov 1, 2018
Gary Johnson:
Competition improves choices
Q: Help parents send children to private schools with public money?Martin Heinrich (D): No. "Privatization policies would be especially damaging to rural New Mexico"
Gary Johnson (L): Yes. Competition improves choices. "Why can't we apply that to schools?"
Mick Rich (R): Yes. Supports "vouchers, savings accounts, & scholarship programs."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Gary Johnson:
Cut Pell grants; eliminate all student loans
Q: Refinance student loans at lower rates, by increasing high earner taxes (Elizabeth Warren bill)? Increase aid, like Pell Grants?Martin Heinrich (D): Yes. Co-sponsored Warren bill in 2017. Co-sponsored bill to "address the significant loss in value
of Pell Grants,"
Gary Johnson (L): Supported elimination of all student loans, though would explore reduced interest. Called for Pell Grants cuts.
Mick Rich (R): Consolidate income-contingent loans. Let Pell grants cover job training.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Martin Heinrich:
Privatization especially hurts rural schools
Q: Help parents send children to private schools with public money?Martin Heinrich (D): No. "Privatization policies would be especially damaging to rural New Mexico"
Gary Johnson (L): Yes. Competition improves choices. "Why can't we apply that to schools?"
Mick Rich (R): Yes. Supports "vouchers, savings accounts, & scholarship programs."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Martin Heinrich:
Address the significant loss in value of Pell Grants
Q: Refinance student loans at lower rates, by increasing high earner taxes (Elizabeth Warren bill)? Increase aid, like Pell Grants?Martin Heinrich (D): Yes. Co-sponsored Warren bill in 2017. Co-sponsored bill to "address the significant loss in value
of Pell Grants,"
Gary Johnson (L): Supported elimination of all student loans, though would explore reduced interest. Called for Pell Grants cuts.
Mick Rich (R): Consolidate income-contingent loans. Let Pell grants cover job training.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
Supports universal pre-K; opposes school vouchers
Q: Increase funding for K-12 education?Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D): Yes. Supports passing constitutional amendment to allow distributions from NM Permanent Fund. Also supports universal pre-K & shifting funding from administrators to classroom
teachers.
Steve Pearce (R): Unclear. Reluctant to dip into Permanent Fund, for pre-K or in general. "Far more complex than just throwing more money at the situation." Support better management, mental health support & apprenticeship programs.
Q: Provide publicly funded vouchers to help pay for private schools?
Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D): No.
Strongly opposes school vouchers.
Steve Pearce (R): Yes. "Vouchers break link of low-income & low-quality schools."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
Expand Pell Grants; lower student loan interest
Q: Increase funding for higher education?Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D): Yes. Find sources of money to replace lottery. In Congress opposed budget that would have lowered Pell Grants.
Steve Pearce (R):
No. "Right now we don't have the money." Must first grow the economy. so that we have the money.
Q: Increase federal or state student financial aid?
Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D): Yes. Backed Elizabeth Warren proposal to lower student interest rates by taxing the wealthy. Also backed Pell Grant support & financial aid for people not pursuing 4-year degree.
Steve Pearce (R): Unclear. Voted for a 2015 Federal budget that significantly cut Pell Grants. Also 2006 budget that cut student loan support in favor of deficit reduction.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Mick Rich:
Supports vouchers, savings accounts, & scholarship programs
Q: Help parents send children to private schools with public money?Martin Heinrich (D): No. "Privatization policies would be especially damaging to rural New Mexico"
Gary Johnson (L): Yes. Competition improves choices. "Why can't we apply that to schools?"
Mick Rich (R): Yes. Supports "vouchers, savings accounts, & scholarship programs."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Mick Rich:
Let Pell grants cover job training
Q: Refinance student loans at lower rates, by increasing high earner taxes (Elizabeth Warren bill)? Increase aid, like Pell Grants?Martin Heinrich (D): Yes. Co-sponsored bill to "address the significant loss in value of Pell Grants,"
Gary
Johnson (L): Supported elimination of all student loans, though would explore reduced interest. Called for Pell Grants cuts.
Mick Rich (R): No position on Warren bill. Consolidate income-contingent loans. Let Pell grants cover job training.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Steve Pearce:
Vouchers break link of low-income & low-quality schools
Q: Increase funding for K-12 education?Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D): Yes. Supports passing constitutional amendment to allow distributions from NM Permanent Fund. Also supports universal pre-K & shifting funding from administrators to classroom
teachers.
Steve Pearce (R): Unclear. Reluctant to dip into Permanent Fund, for pre-K or in general. "Far more complex than just throwing more money at the situation." Support better management, mental health support & apprenticeship programs.
Q: Provide publicly funded vouchers to help pay for private schools?
Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D): No.
Strongly opposes school vouchers.
Steve Pearce (R): Yes. "Vouchers break link of low-income & low-quality schools."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Steve Pearce:
Cut Pell Grants; no more tax money for colleges
Q: Increase funding for higher education?Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D): Yes. Find sources of money to replace lottery. In Congress opposed budget that would have lowered Pell Grants.
Steve Pearce (R):
No. "Right now we don't have the money." Must first grow the economy. so that we have the money.
Q: Increase federal or state student financial aid?
Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D): Yes. Backed Elizabeth Warren proposal to lower student interest rates by taxing the wealthy. Also backed Pell Grant support & financial aid for people not pursuing 4-year degree.
Steve Pearce (R): Unclear. Voted for a 2015 Federal budget that significantly cut Pell Grants. Also 2006 budget that cut student loan support in favor of deficit reduction.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Steve Pearce:
Competition through choice helps schools
I strongly believe every school must face tough scrutiny and challenge itself to raise standards and push for the best in each of its students.
Competition through choice would be a catalyst for vast improvements in underperforming public school systems, including those serving large numbers of low-income students.
Source: 2018 New Mexico Gubernatorial website pearce.house.gov
Aug 22, 2017
Jeff Apodaca:
Make state's Pre-K a year-round program
Apodaca said he wants to expand the state's pre-kindergarten program to make it available all year instead of while school is in session.
He pledged to help small businesses and local economies by tapping money from the state's permanent land fund to invest it in early childhood education and economic growth.
Source: USA Today on 2018 New Mexico Gubernatorial race
Jul 17, 2017
Joe Cervantes:
Emphasis on testing misguided
This administration relied on Florida policies that failed there and predictably failed here. It emphasized testing in the classrooms. As a parent with three daughters who came from public schools, I have a good understanding with what that testing
involved [and it's] unreliability. It's an overly simplistic way of thinking about managing education, no student gets educated by taking a test. Of course we need testing, but the idea in putting a principle on testing was misplaced.
Source: NM Political Report on 2018 New Mexico Gubernatorial race
Jul 7, 2017
Joe Cervantes:
Expand pre-K to all students
Cervantes said he supports using the permanent land fund to
expand pre-K to all students in the state
Source: Las Cruces Sun-News on 2018 New Mexico Gubernatorial race
Jul 5, 2017
Susana Martinez:
Prioritize reading in early education
Our reform agenda is clear. First, every child needs to read at an early age, so they can learn every year thereafter. Under my plan, to give our kids the best start possible, we'll expand pre-K--which
has tripled so far on my watch--and build $5 million worth of new pre-K classrooms throughout the State. And we'll add $10 million in new reading interventions, specifically for students in chronically struggling schools.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to New Mexico legislature
Jan 19, 2016
Susana Martinez:
Change higher education system to boost graduation rates
Our kids are taking too much time, taking too many credits, spending too much money, and ultimately not graduating. Consequently, entry into the workforce is delayed, student debt is high, and we have too few college graduates.
That's why universities are adopting tuition incentives for any student who graduates in four years and working to limit all degree programs to 120 credit hours; We're improving how credits transfer among institutions and providing better counselling.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to New Mexico legislature
Jan 19, 2016
Gary King:
School report cards OK if resources go to low-score schools
King said, "I'm going to try to speak with educators around the state. My understanding as I talk to teachers and superintendents is that they don't really understand how the grade is determined on the report cards (for schools), so it's very difficult
to know what to do to improve your system, if you don't know what caused you to get a C or a D."I noticed the biggest number of schools were D in New Mexico. Certainly, it's of interest to everybody to know if you are a D school, what are we going to
do about that? Does it mean you get mentors and tutors and such? If you do, that's positive. If schools get a bad grade and you're going to help them identify their issues, [and] develop a plan on how you are going to do better (that's positive), but if
you don't know on what their analysis is based, it is difficult to know what to do.
"I'm feeling a lot of frustration from educators out there, principals, superintendents, teachers and lunchroom ladies about what are we trying to accomplish here."
Source: Ruidoso News on 2014 New Mexico governor race
Jul 31, 2014
Susana Martinez:
$97M to improve our local schools; invest in reform
Exactly half of the [proposed budget's] new spending--$97 million--is targeted toward improving our local schools. But it's not just throwing more money at the status quo.
It's an investment in reform, an investment in initiatives that are designed to get results and improve student performance. We took some very important first steps in education reform. Just last week, we announced the preliminary, baseline grades for
New Mexico schools. They will continue to be fine-tuned as we work with school districts to finalize the results. By this summer, every school will receive an official letter grade--A, B, C, D, or F. Finally, we have a school rating system
that is uniquely our own. Not a one-size-fits-all federal system, but rather an honest assessment of how our children are learning and improving--a way to identify struggling schools, so we can get them the help they need.
Source: 2012 New Mexico State of the State Address
Jan 17, 2012
Susana Martinez:
$17M for reading reforms; don't pass failing kids
80% of our fourth-graders cannot read proficiently. Passing children who can't read from one grade to the next is not compassionate. It is morally wrong. Let's do something about it. Holding children back is not the goal. The goal is for every child
to learn the basics and to identify and help those who struggle before the third grade. We build a child's self-esteem not by convincing them that accepting failure is okay but by showing them that they can reach any goal by offering a helping hand when
they struggle so they learn to never give up, to persevere, and to ultimately triumph and succeed.
And here's how we'll do it. My plan this year calls for a $17 million investment in reading reforms. Teachers will assess children early on--in
kindergarten, first, second grade. And those students who are struggling will get immediate help in these early years--more tutoring, more individual attention. We'll put more reading coaches in elementary schools.
Source: 2012 New Mexico State of the State Address
Jan 17, 2012
Susana Martinez:
Kids First, New Mexico Wins: 4 key initiatives
I propose a comprehensive reform package that will transform our schools. Our "Kids First, New Mexico Wins" plan is comprised of four key initiatives.- We will get money out of the bureaucracy and into the classroom. Today, only 61 cents of every
education dollar makes it to the classroom. Wasting money on lawyers in the Public Education Dept. does nothing to help a child read. By cutting waste & inefficiency in the bureaucracy, we will increase the percentage of funds that reach classrooms.
-
We will adopt an easy-to-understand, easy-to-implement system of grading. Schools will be assigned letter grades A, B, C, D or F. And these grades will be posted to the Web. That's real accountability that will yield real results.
- We will end social
promotion, the practice of passing children from one grade to the next before they have mastered the basics. The New Mexico "Ready for Success" initiative will get struggling students the help they need before we pass them on to the next grade.
Source: 2011 New Mexico State of the State Address
Jan 18, 2011
Bill Richardson:
Equip every 7th grader with a laptop computer
I announced last week a pilot program that will bring basic change to how mid school and high school students learn. More than 700 students and 80 teachers will receive laptop computers in the first phase of this initiative.
Eventually, I want every 7th grader to have one. Every teacher in every discipline - math, languages, social studies, history - will be trained in how to make use of the computer and the internet directly in their subject areas.
Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature
Jan 20, 2004
Bill Richardson:
Increase the salary of school teachers
We gave teachers - the cornerstone of our educational reform - a dramatic salary increase. The School Improvement Act of 2003 set ambitious goals for school reform. It also created a three-tier licensure system for New Mexico’s teachers -
a system that will recognize and reward excellence in the profession. And let there be no misunderstanding - I support funding art in the school, but in every school. Art will be funded at the end of the process, and in a comprehensive manner.
Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature
Jan 20, 2004
Bill Richardson:
A plan that can reach straightforward education goals
I [will] focus on improving student success, & responsibly implementing critical reforms. My education plan provides for retention of quality teachers, completes the implementation of statewide full-day kindergarten, creates an extensive student testing
program to accurately gauge student progress, and puts in place significant reform initiatives such as family resource services to meet student social service needs, taking the pressure off teachers so they can concentrate on teaching our children.
Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature
Jan 20, 2004
Bill Richardson:
Charter schools show tremendous promise
I am a strong supporter of charter schools. They provide opportunities for students to connect with the education process, and find a path to success. They are showing tremendous promise as alternatives for families who want something different -
within the public school system - for their children. I promised to allocate additional resources for charter schools, and to help provide them a more level playing field with other public schools.
Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature
Jan 20, 2004
Bill Richardson:
Expand the lottery scholarship program for college students
My higher education plan limits tuition increases to three percent, while keeping open all financial assistance options for our students. I want to expand the lottery success scholarship program to provide more opportunity to lower income New Mexicans.
We can afford it, and we must not shirk from our responsibility. My plan fully funds the new higher education formula, and provides a one-time four percent bonus for faculty, and a two percent bonus for other employees.
Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature
Jan 20, 2004
John Edwards:
Two school systems: one for the have’s, one for have-not’s
We still have two public school systems in this country: one for the “haves” and one for the “have nots.” We have got to make a commitment as a nation that every child in America, no matter where they live,
what the color of their skin or the income of their family, will get exactly the same education as the richest parent in America can afford for their children. That’s the commitment we need to make as a people.
Source: Democratic Primary Debate, Albuquerque New Mexico
Sep 4, 2003
Gary Johnson:
Favors charter schools as one priority to improve education
Indicate which principles you support regarding education:- Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any participating school (public, private, religious).
- Favor charter schools where independent groups receive
state authorization and funding to establish new schools.
- Indicate the funding levels you will support for the following categories:
- Slightly Increase K-12 Education
- Maintain Status for Higher Education
- Q: Top priorities for 1998?
A: Improve education, continue streamlining government making it more accountable to New Mexicans; I will also continue to promote a business friendly environment increasing economic development that will create higher paying jobs;
With two new prisons we will keep criminals behind bars. Finally, my promise is to continue to put people before politics.
Source: 1998 New Mexico National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 1998
Page last updated: Oct 11, 2021