New Mexico legislative committee endorses mandated boost to learning time
SANTA FE - The Legislative Education Study Committee has backed proposed legislation that would require public schools to increase the amount of time all students spend learning next school year. The idea is to address learning loss that has resulted from the pandemic.
But, according to the proposal, the extra classroom time would be contingent on in-person instruction being allowed.
A draft of the bill says elementary schools could extend schooling through the K-5 Plus program, which would add 25 days to the school year, or through the Extended Learning Time Program, which lengthens the year by 10 days. Middle and high schools would use the Extended Learning Time Program.
Funds would be earmarked, too.
At a recent meeting, the committee voted 4-3 to endorse the proposal. Some lawmakers said they were wary of the plan. Rep. G. Andrés Romero, D- Albuquerque, and chair of the House Education Committee, said there needs to be a longer-term approach.
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Boosting teachers in the Basin
A new effort is aiming to help ensure students in the Permian Basin area of New Mexico and Texas are taught by National Board Certified Teachers, educators who have demonstrated a high level of professional standards.
A news release with the announcement cited research that found students who are taught by teachers with such certification learn more than other kids.
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has partnered with the Permian Strategic Partnership and the New Mexico National Board Certified Teacher Network to provide funds, mentorship and other resources for teachers.
The project is expected to get about 700 teachers involved in the certification process over three years, according to the release.
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Albuquerque teacher recognized
An Albuquerque Public Schools teacher was featured on the U.S. Department of Education's blog for her work teaching the Zuni Pueblo language.
The post snapshots Mila Padilla's experience and career.
The online feature said she learned a lot about the Zuni language from her grandma and was taught about her culture by her parents.
Now, Padilla teaches the language to second- through eighth-grade students at APS, according to the post on blog.ed.gov.
Shelby Perea can be reached at sperea@abqjournal.com.
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