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The signatories on this letter may not always agree on education policy, but we do agree that New Mexico’s Education Secretary-designate Hanna Skandera is making meaningful improvements for children in New Mexico. We urge the Senate Rules Committee to set aside politics, resume her confirmation hearing, and give her a fair chance at being confirmed before the entire state Senate so that New Mexico can move forward in serving its students.
This is a local issue with national implications. New Mexico can set an example for other states by putting the interests of students before adult political matters. The committee should discuss Skandera’s achievements and their concerns in the public light, and grant her the hearing she’s been denied for the last two years.
We support the secretary-designate because her initiatives are improving school accountability and preparing more students for college and careers. Under Skandera’s leadership, the New Mexico Public Education Department has put in place an A-F school grading accountability system to identify and support low-performing schools and struggling students. The department is providing additional support to teachers and leaders by ensuring that those schools that earn a grade of D or F receive significant professional development and training. The strengths of this accountability system have earned the state a waiver from No Child Left Behind, and praise from state and national educators.
Over the last two years, Skandera has championed education reforms that benefit all New Mexico students. She has placed a command focus on ensuring that every New Mexico student reads at grade level. Through the Reads to Lead program, New Mexico schools now have the necessary tools to identify and intervene early to assist struggling readers in grades K-3.
During the 2011-12 school year, the state saw increases in seventh-grade math scores, and fourth- and fifth-grade reading scores. By providing teachers with better assessment tools for identifying students who are falling behind, the state is curbing the number of kids who drop out of high school and improving every student’s chance at success. New Mexico’s four-year graduation rate for the class of 2012 was 70.3 percent, a seven percentage point increase over the previous year. And, with a renewed commitment to closing achievement gaps among student groups, the graduation rates among all groups of minority students increased in 2012.
Despite the secretary-designate’s strong record, the Senate Rules Committee has delayed her confirmation hearing. We recognize that policy work is political, but the politics here have taken priority over New Mexico’s students. It is time to put an end to this. This kind of political stalling has never been seen before in the confirmation of a state education chief.
It is time to make students the priority. New Mexico is beginning to overcome its dismal academic past thanks to the bold leadership of Skandera. She has proven she is the right leader for this work. We urge the Senate Rules Committee to proceed with the hearing and recommend Skandera for confirmation by the full Senate, so she can continue to improve student learning in New Mexico.
This was also signed by 14 other high ranking current and former state and national education and education advocacy officials from around the United States.
