Judge orders New Mexico's PED to create plan for better educating ‘at-risk' students
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Seven years after a district court judge ruled the state isn't meeting its obligation to give at-risk students a good education, that judge is now giving the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) just months to get their act together.
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That order is tied to the 11-year-old 'Yazzie Martinez' lawsuit, which says that under-served students have a constitutional right to be college-ready. Plaintiffs say the state's taken too long to figure out a plan, and today the judge agreed.
'The PED and the state of New Mexico is not in compliance with this court's final judgement in order. The defendants are ordered to develop a comprehensive remedial plan to address the continuing violation of at-risk student's constitutional rights,' said Santa Fe District Court Judge Matthew Wilson.
Those affected by this court case include Native American students, English language learners, low-income students and those with disabilities. The argument is that those groups face significant educational disparities. As part of the ruling, the plaintiffs in the case have been waiting for the Public Education Department to submit a plan to address teacher workforce issues, class sizes, and a wide range of other factors. Today, Judge Matthew Wilson ordered ped to work with a legislative committee to make a new plan by July. Attorneys for the plaintiffs call it a win.
'Across the state of New Mexico, this is a big problem that we've been dealing with – not only for the past seven years, but generations beyond that… Today's court ruling affirms the fact that we've come this far, we got what we came for, and now we wait to see what the state of New Mexico does next,' said Preston Sanchez, attorney for plaintiffs.
While a draft is due in July, PED has until December to submit a final plan. The courts also require the PED to work with families and educators in order to develop that plan. Reacting to today's ruling, PED released the following statement:
'The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) welcomes Judge Wilson's decision to lead development of a plan providing all New Mexico students an excellent education, that will lead to resolution of the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit for students, parents and families. Improving student outcomes is central to our mission and this plan will support lasting improvements to our educational system.
The Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit highlighted longstanding systemic challenges state education. The Court directed increased funding and programming for at-risk students, including those from economically disadvantaged homes, English Language Learners, Native American children, and children with disabilities. Since 2019, the state has substantially increased funding and taken significant steps to improve student performance and educator recruitment and retention. '
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