NM Governor proposes aid to low-performing schools

Posted: 01.03.2012 at 4:36 PM

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Gov. Susana Martinez on Tuesday proposed to allocate more than $5 million next year to help low-performing schools and reward those that excel under a new state law that will assign grades to rate New Mexico's public schools.

The Republican governor's proposal will be part of her budget recommendations to the Legislature, which convenes in two weeks. Lawmakers will have to approve the money before any aid becomes available to schools.

The state will release preliminary school grades next week and final grades will be announced in the summer.

The system will grade schools on an A-to-F scale. The governor proposed $4.3 million to help schools getting grades of D or F. Of that, $3.4 million would help hire instructional coaches to assist teachers in the 40 lowest performing schools.

About $500,000 would be available as incentives to attract highly rated teachers to work in struggling schools, and $400,000 would go for bonuses to top-notch administrators and other school leaders who decide to work in low-performing schools.

About $1.2 million would be provided as financial rewards for the 25 highest performing schools, which would get $50,000 each to pay for programs or other improvements.

"This proposal calls for a focused investment in schools where students are struggling and should help up close the achievement gap," Martinez said in a statement. "With an easier-to-understand grading system that gives us a clear idea of how schools are performing, we are better able to target those that need help and identify and reward those with the highest achievement levels."

Public education accounts for the largest share of yearly state spending. About $2.3 billion was allocated for public schools in the current fiscal year, which runs through June 30.

"There is no doubt that one of the most important factors in raising student achievement is a highly effective teacher," said Education Secretary Hanna Skandera. "Today's proposal provides great incentives to attract successful teachers and school leaders to struggling schools in order to turn them around."

The Democratic-controlled Legislature last year approved the A-to-F grading measure, which was a key part of the governor's agenda for improving schools. The grades will be based on standardized tests taken by students and on growth of student performance in reading and mathematics. Other factors include the high school graduation rate.

The Martinez administration has asked the federal government to allow New Mexico to use the new school rating system rather than continue with a federally mandated model.

Nearly 90 percent of New Mexico schools missed last year's targets for boosting student achievement under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which many educators consider too rigid because it takes a pass-or-fail approach rather than measure the progress that students or schools might be making.

The governor announced the school aid proposal at a news conference at a Santa Fe elementary school, which was among those that failed to make "adequate yearly progress" last year under the federal school rating system.

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