New Mexico lawmakers are continuing to respond to widespread disparities in public schools based on race, class, ability and more. There鈥檚 a proposal to address inequity by setting up a plan and a new state commission. But advocates say the bill isn鈥檛 exactly what students need in the now.
would task a commission鈥攁ppointed by political leaders鈥攖o develop a long-term plan to better prepare all New Mexico students for the future.
Charles Goodmacher is with the .
鈥淲e don鈥檛 need another commission to really understand a lot of the needs,鈥� Goodmacher said. 鈥淲e know a lot of the needs now.鈥�
He said it鈥檚 more important for students to share a language and culture with their teachers.
Sponsored by Democratic Sen. Mimi Stewart, the measure comes as a response to days of testimony in a 2018 court case that New Mexico had failed to provide basic needs for success in the classroom 鈥� especially for Native American and students from families with lower incomes.
Over a dozen parents and educators would also be appointed to the state鈥檚 commission.
The bill is in the legislative session that begins Tuesday, Jan. 21.
