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What happens when a public elementary school fails for six years straight? That’s a kid’s entire journey from kindergarten to fifth grade. Their entire foundation for learning.
This month, the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) will decide just that when they review a second round of school turnaround proposals from Albuquerque and Dulce–where a total of four schools, serving 1,300 of our youngest learners, have earned Fs from the state since at least 2013.
Our kids can’t wait another five years, or more.
NMPED denied initial proposals from the districts in March because they weren’t urgent or strong enough. Urgent and strong is what our students need.
On average, less than 6 percent of students in the four failing schools were able to demonstrate proficiency in reading, English language arts and math on 2017 exams from Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers. That means, of the 1,300 students enrolled in these schools, only 78 are mastering content at their grade level.
When students aren’t learning in the cornerstone years of their education, it’s harder for them to learn in years to come. Put simply, they may never catch up.
Albuquerque and Dulce may get a second bite of the apple, but our kids will not. Whatever you do, please ensure our schools are giving our students the education they deserve.