Please don’t trust them, judge. Just like sugarcoating the coronavirus is creating chaos, sugarcoating our education crisis, the greatest threat to all New Mexican’s future will also be a disaster. The lights are flashing red, but politicos are rushing full steam ahead, on the wrong track.
We can’t trust Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham or lawmakers to fix our broken education system. Make them educate all our children as ordered by the Yazzie/Martinez suit.
As one of the organizers of the suit that began 15 years ago, I find politicos, with few exceptions, guilty of nonfeasance. After decades of failing our children, they’ve failed once again, but still want the suit dismissed.
Don’t be fooled by flinging more money at teacher salaries, reading, math or other programs du jour. They won’t hurt, but as they are, it’s just like adding another taco day for our children.
You can’t trust people who would heave more than $500 million at a problem without a plan, without properly identifying the problem, without specific, measurable objectives; and that exclude the involvement of the plaintiff communities.
They’ve thrown more than $664 million against a shattered education structure hoping some will stick it back together. Someone’s pet project was gifted millions of dollars for an early childhood trust, as if we need another huge bureaucracy.
At one time, Republican and Democrat administrations, funded education at 55 percent of state spending. Today it’s about 46 percent, and politicos are gleefully chest-bumping for increasing spending about 3 percent in two years. We need a hell-of-lot more money, but well-spent money, not the “moon shot” strategy our governor brags about. Good ideas without a comprehensive plan are irresponsible.
We need a new educational paradigm –a new approach to education– because where we’re going is nose-diving. Ever wonder why Mexico has a higher literacy rate than New Mexico?
But, universities, the ones responsible for leading us into the 21th Century, seem oblivious to our new reality, most students are and will always be culturally distinct. Higher education has yet to produce, but a few, culturally competent teachers. Teacher salary increases without those skills equals a double loss.
The biggest failure centers around Latinos, who outnumber white, Indian, black and Asian students, combined. Schools are failing to graduate half of Latino children but, amazingly, there is no specific focus on their needs.
Ten years ago experts sounded an alarm by reporting that it would take 100 years to eliminate the achievement gap between Latino and white students, given our current course. Community leaders responded by helping to pass the Hispanic Education Act, its mission to eliminate that gap. But in 10 years, zero dollars have been allocated to this mission that has measurable goals. Instead, the Act has been buried in the basement of the education department.
Why are Latino elected officials MIA in advocating for their community? Black and Indian champions abound, while whites quietly dominate a disproportionate share of resources and jobs. With few exceptions, Latino politicos appear afraid to fight for parity for our minority majority population.
Gutless politicos don’t even utter the word “Latino”, much less fight for us in the halls of government. Latinos need new, genuine champions who are unashamed to put our children, who make up 63 percent of all students, at the front of the line for attention, money, jobs, services and programs.
We had to turn to the courts when the state ignored our needs. They’ve now added two more years of non-responsiveness.
What’s the solution? It’s hiding in plain sight. Start with a comprehensive plan for a new education paradigm (it’s already been mostly articulated with all stakeholder’s input) with clear measurable goals, and resources to meet those goals, along with a system that responds in real time to what’s working or not working.
The governor and lawmakers have shown their continued failure to follow the court’s directives. Only the court holds the power to make them comply with the law.
We should all urge the court not to dismiss this landmark suit that would improve the quality of lives of every New Mexican, but only if done right.
Jose Armas lives in Albuquerque and is a longtime activist and social commentator. He can be reached at armas@swcp.com