New Mexico must rewrite education plan
A federal judge ordered the state to address gaps in its strategy for Native American and low-income students by March 2027.
By Rafael Delgado ·
A federal judge ordered New Mexico to revise its education strategy on Monday. The court found the current plan fails to adequately support disabled, Native American, English-learning, and low-income students. This decision stems from the Yazzie-Martinez case, which two parents filed in 2014.
The judge identified specific deficiencies in the state’s nearly 200-page document. The plan lacked concrete steps for managing class sizes, training teachers, and evaluating staff. It also did not outline sufficient services for at-risk students. The state had released this plan one year ago after holding public meetings and considering community input.
The court ruled in favor of the parents in February 2019. That original ruling required the state to create a remedial plan to help these vulnerable groups succeed in school and after graduation. The state fought that decision for five years before complying with the initial order.
Loretta Trujillo, a plaintiff in the case, said the ruling does not go far enough. She argued that advocates remain largely outside the editing process. "That’s all we’ve ever asked for is collaboration because what is the missing piece is that communities are feeling under underheard and under resourced, and that combination together means that we’re not seeing changes in outcomes, despite increased investments," Trujillo said.
The judge ordered the Public Education Department to submit a supplemental plan. This new document must address class size reductions, summer school options, and extended learning opportunities. It must also detail teacher evaluations, textbook funding, and specific training programs. Trujillo stated that a one-size-fits-all approach is not meeting individual needs.
"Education is at the heart of democracy, and we really believe that young people and community survival is at the heart of this work," Trujillo said. She noted that erasing student identities forces them to feel like empty vessels. Embracing those identities, she argued, leads to higher rigor and better student outcomes.
No one from the Public Education Department was available for an interview. The department issued a statement describing the ruling as a valuable roadmap. "The Court said it is confident the PED can complete the supplement, and we share that confidence," the statement read. The state must deliver its supplemental plan by March 26, 2027. Plaintiffs have until April 23 to file objections.
