In the final days of October New Mexican legislators began budget hearings for state agencies, with NM PED at the top of the list. Law makers will be pushing for enhanced oversight on how our tax dollars are being used by the Public Education Department, and specifically how that money is being applied to help at-risk students.

State spending on education makes up nearly 46% of New Mexico’s $7 billion annual budget. Despite approving more than double the usual funding this year for at-risk students, NM schools have shown little improvement and are ranked dismally low in reading and math. This increased oversight is a long overdue addition to our floundering school systems that will help curtail wasteful spending and ensure tax dollars are going to students that need it most. Read more HERE.