The Roundhouse in Santa Fe (Photo by Peter St. Cyr)
Lawmakers gave final approval early this morning to Gov. Susana Martinez’s proposal to assign letter grades to schools based on performance.
“This commonsense education measure will immediately make it easier for parents and communities to understand the performance of New Mexico’s public schools,” Martinez said in a news release. “By assigning a simple letter grade to our schools, we will have a clear idea of which ones are succeeding as well as those that need help.”
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Vernon Asbill, R-Carlsbad, and Rep. Dennis Roch, R-Texico, was a key part of Martinez’s education plan. This morning’s vote in the House was 42-23 in favor of the bill.
“No longer will parents have to try to decipher misleading performance reports,” Roch said in a news release. “Instead, they will have a clear view of where their child’s school is performing great – and where it could use help.”