SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Sweeping public education reforms have been approved by the New Mexico Legislature that would increase minimum teacher pay and boost spending on low-income students.
The state House and Senate gave final approval Wednesday to mirror bills that would channel more than $100 million toward low-income students and provide incentives for school districts to lengthen the school year.
Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham supports major provisions of the bills that would raise minimum teach salaries by as much as 12 percent and increase resources for at-risk students through adjustments to a complex school funding formula.
The judiciary is threatening to take over budgeting decisions for public education after parents and school districts successfully sued the state for failing to provide an adequate education to students from minority and low-income households.