May 2, 2019 – Executive Producer Kevin McDonald sits down for New Mexico in Focus’ first one-on-one with the state’s new secretary of the Public Education Department, Karen Trujillo. They talk about her vision for educating New Mexico’s children and whether education policymakers need classroom experience.
Guests:
Karen Trujillo, New Mexico Secretary of Public Education
April 26, 2019 – A new approach to boosting New Mexico’s struggling education system is already experiencing some growing pains. Lawmakers this year approved new money for the K-5 Plus Program, which would offer 25 extra days of school for students in kindergarten through 5th grade. But some districts are having a hard time finding the teachers to staff the program, which requires the teachers in the K-5 Plus Program must also be the same teacher a student has the following school year. Host Gene Grant and The Line opinion panelists talk about the concerns and how smaller districts are handling the challenge.
Line Panelists:
Adrian Carver, Executive Director, Equality New Mexico
Dan Foley, NM House Republican Whip
Stephanie Maez, Executive Director, ProgressNow New Mexico
Kristelle Siarza, CEO, Siarza Social Digital
For Further Reading:
New rules for K-5 Plus put some New Mexico Schools in bind, by Dillon Mullan, Santa Fe New Mexican
Some New Mexico schools struggle with K-5 Plus requirements, KRQE
An educational shift is on the horizon in New Mexico, by Dillon Mullan and Robert Nott, Santa Fe New Mexican