Equity and Opportunity in NM Schools

A BLUEPRINT FOR NEW MEXICO'S FUTURE

Sam Bregman’s Plan to Transform Education in New Mexico

It’s time to Give Every New Mexico Student an Opportunity to Succeed.

For too long, New Mexico’s schools have ranked among the lowest performing in the nation. Year after year, politicians from both parties have played politics with our children’s education, forgetting the consequences. This failure has held our state back, limiting opportunities and leading to unfortunate outcomes for too many kids.

But I believe in the potential of New Mexico’s students. We have some of the brightest children in the country, and their untapped talent is enormous. My plan puts students and families at the center by driving measures to keep kids in school, keeping them learning, and preparing them to be the next generation of leaders for our state.

Every decision in education must be made with what is best for our children at heart.

Invest in What Works and Ensure Accountability in Education

Our kids are New Mexico’s greatest asset, and we owe our youth a clear path to improve their education. New Mexico’s school districts are multimillion-dollar organizations, yet too often, they lack real goals for student success. That has to change. We will work with educators to set clear statewide achievement goals and hold every district accountable. Our focus will be on what truly works in classrooms - because teaching and learning are complex, but results matter.

As governor, I will:

Establish statewide student achievement goals with educators.
Require every district to set and publicly share progress toward metrical targets.
Intervene with turnaround plans when schools consistently underperform.
Invest early in literacy & math.
Identify and support struggling students before 3rd grade.
Notify parents early and connect them to school and community supports.
Train every K–3 teacher in the science of reading, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Provide literacy coaches so students can read at grade level by 3rd grade.
Raise New Mexico’s graduation rate (currently just 78%).
Expand AP courses, tutoring in reading and math, and career-technical programs.
Partner with community colleges and businesses to provide apprenticeships and industry-recognized credentials.
Equip students with the skills they need for success in college or careers.
Tackle chronic absenteeism with early intervention and support.
Provide families the resources they need to keep kids learning and on track.
Shift funding from bureaucracy to teachers and classrooms.
Ensure educators have the resources they need to deliver quality instruction.

Make New Mexico the Best Place to Be a Teacher

Teachers have the single greatest impact on student success. To give our kids the future they deserve, we must make New Mexico the best place in the Southwest to teach and keep the best talent in our classrooms.

As governor, I will:

Continue to fight for best-in-region pay so teachers know they are valued.
Aggressively recruit teachers for Pre-K programs, with the goal of giving every 3- and 4-year-old access to quality public education.
Increase the number of counselors, psychologists, social workers, and nurses in schools so teachers can focus on teaching.
Ensure schools have the capacity to meet student needs without overloading educators.
Require and fund meaningful professional development for license renewal.
Guarantee teachers at least 10 paid days of high-quality, evidence-based training.
Establish consistent, curriculum-based programs led by skilled coaches and master teachers.
Require public schools to use the best available curriculum and instructional materials backed by proven results.
Align teacher preparation programs with best practices, including the science of reading.
Require year-long clinical training experiences in all teacher prep programs.
Explore models from other states, such as North Carolina’s Advanced Teaching Roles Program, that empower top teachers to mentor and lead teams.
Expand the reach of high-performing teachers, improve support for new teachers, and strengthen student outcomes statewide.

Improve the Student Experience in New Mexico Schools

A high school diploma in New Mexico should mean preparation for today’s world. Our schools must meet individual student needs while ensuring all students gain the skills required for success in college, careers, and life.

As governor, I will:

Revise graduation standards to build critical thinking, financial literacy, and civic knowledge.
Ensure all students gain durable skills like leadership, character, creativity, communication, and problem-solving.
Bolster workforce training tied to regional economies.
Make CTE programs available to every student who wants them.
Provide extra support to families who need help accessing workforce training.
Launch a major push to train and hire more bilingual teachers.
Support Spanish and Native language programs that boost student achievement and confidence.
Expand extracurriculars, sports, and after-school programs to accelerate learning and support working families.
Provide high-impact tutoring for any student identified by educators and families.
Expand summer learning with literacy programs for younger students and paid internships for secondary students.
Offer families up to $1,000 for enrichment activities, tutoring, or interventions, from sports fees to academic programs.
Implement a statewide plan to meet the Yazzie/Martinez court ruling, ensuring that at-risk and Native students receive equitable, culturally responsive education.
Establish a Task Force to study district size and explore whether smaller districts could improve student performance and make schools more responsive.

Expand Public School Choice

More than 70% of families want more public school options beyond their locally zoned district. We must embrace this reality and provide excellent public choices for every community. We must also reject school vouchers and other programs that take resources away from public schools.

As governor, I will:

Establish four statewide Innovation Academies focused on the domains of STEM, the arts, agribusiness, and energy.
Open enrollment to all New Mexico students, prioritizing those identified in the Yazzie/Martinez case.
Staff these schools with top educators and make them training hubs for teachers in specialized fields.
Incentivize districts to create their own Innovation Academies.
Support expansion of high-demand magnet schools to reduce long waiting lists.
Encourage adoption of public charter schools in communities with limited school choice.
Help the best-performing charters expand statewide.
Provide facility support and resources for growth.
Allow strong charter models to open in communities that want them.
Work with Tribal partners to establish Tribal Compact Schools focused on Native language and culture.
Empower Tribal nations to design schools that engage Native youth and prepare them for bright futures.
Increase compensation for principals to strengthen school stability.
Grant principals greater autonomy over budgets and policy decisions while concurrently elevating performance expectations.
Modernize training programs for future school leaders, working with higher education institutions and successful principals.
Work to promote micro schools - small schools that focus on personalized learning. Education should meet the needs of the child, not force every student into a one-size-fits-all model. Micro schools offer families the flexibility to create innovative learning environments, connect with community resources, and better prepare students for future careers.

Invest in School Leadership

School leaders are critical to producing empowered teachers and successful students, but in many places, they are treated like middle management without the ability to make decisions that are responsive to communities. I will invest in our schools’ leaders to increase stability at our schools and help them become more responsive to the communities they serve.

As governor, I will:

Increase compensation for school principals. Our principals feel the heat from everywhere. They implement policies from the legislature, address issues from parents, serve as the educational leader at their schools, assist teachers to succeed in the classroom, and much more. Currently, principal stability has suffered and that leads to a shakier foundation for all schools.
Work with school leaders to give them more autonomy. Higher pay goes hand in hand with higher expectations. We will work with New Mexico LEAs to make the principalship a dynamic role with more control over budgets, policy decisions, and more. This allows principals to exercise their best judgment and be more responsive to their school communities.
Work to bring more optimally trained principals to our public schools while collaborating with our Institutes of Higher Education to update school administrator training that will better prepare them for leadership responsibilities. I will consult with our most successful principals as we design training to give every school leader the skills they need to help our kids succeed.

Keep New Mexico Schools Safe

Students learn best when they feel safe and supported and when their basic needs, like healthy meals, are met.

As governor, I will:

Continue funding free school meals for all students despite federal cuts.
Upgrade HVAC systems and create safe, healthy, state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and facilities.
Maintain a strict ban on guns and weapons of any kind on campus.
Boost access to counselors and mental health services for both students and teachers.

Ensure Equal Opportunities across all races and cultures

The landmark 2018 Yazzie/Martinez v. State of New Mexico ruling requires the state to overhaul education so that all students - especially Native students, students with disabilities, and those in poverty - receive equitable, culturally responsive education.

As governor, I will:

Implement the Yazzie/Martinez Plan.
Refine and implement the statewide plan being developed by the Public Education Department.
Ensure quality education for at-risk students, including Native American, disabled, and low-income children.
Grow shared Tribal-State educational authority by giving tribes a stronger role in curriculum design, governance, and programs for Native students.
Expand culturally relevant learning by laying the foundation to integrate Indigenous language, culture, and traditions into classrooms.
Identify dedicated funding to support proposals like the Tribal Education Trust Fund and finance tribal-led programs as well as language revitalization.
Deliver equitable resources by ensuring fair funding and pay parity for Tribal instructors and schools.
Establish Tribal Compact Schools.
Partner with Tribal nations to create schools centered on Native language and culture.
Empower tribes to design and lead schools that fully engage Native youth and prepare them for bright futures.

Get New Mexico Schools and Teachers AI-Trained

Artificial Intelligence is moving fast, and New Mexico’s schools must keep up. AI has the potential to enhance learning and support teachers, but it also raises valid concerns. We must ensure it serves students and educators, not just tech companies.

As governor, I will:

Create A State Instructional Technology Advisory Board.
Bring together K–12 and higher education leaders, employers, and technology experts.
Provide guidance, integration, oversight, and evaluation of education technologies, including AI.
Train and support educators by prioritizing professional development so teachers and administrators are prepared to use AI responsibly.
Ensure schools have the tools and resources to integrate AI effectively.
Establish clear rules to protect students and educators and involve parents, teachers, and communities in shaping how AI is used in schools.
Guarantee transparency and accountability, so technology serves learning—not the other way around.