New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez announced initiatives on Tuesday to better prepare teachers and principals for their careers and hold universities accountable for the performance of their alumni in the education field.
The reforms were designed to improve K-12 education across the state and rank the performance of the six colleges in New Mexico that have schools of education.
“Our work on education reform is based on one simple goal: improving student achievement,” Martinez said. “We know teachers make all the difference when it comes to helping our students and we want our future teachers to be better prepared for the opportunity ahead. These leaders from our colleges and universities have come together to raise the standards and to bolster support for our future teachers. Their efforts will make all the difference for the students of New Mexico.”
A consortium of university administrators developed the ranking program. It measures the performance of alumni in the classroom for three years after graduation. It also takes additional factors into account to rank the state’s post-secondary educational programs.
“There is no doubt that good teachers and principals matter,” New Mexico Public Education Department Secretary Hanna Skandera said. “Studies show after two years of an effective teacher, in an effective school, an average student can perform in the 96th percentile. Our students deserve the opportunity to be great and our teachers deserve the support to reach that goal.”
Martinez also announced reforms that will increase academic standards for college students who are studying to become teachers. To help support those programs, Martinez allocated $4.65 million in funding to colleges and universities earlier this year.
“In order to improve the outcomes and overall well-being of our state’s young people, we must develop and sustain a pipeline of educators and school leaders who reflect New Mexico’s population and are dedicated to improving educational outcomes of our next generations,” University of New Mexico President Robert Frank said.