SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico education officials are sending $15 million to the schools where parents make the least money.
The Public Education Department used tax records to measure each school and give assign it a “Family Income Index” score. It's based on the percentage of students who come from households with low or very low incomes. That means annual incomes of around $34,000 for a family of four.
Awards to schools range from around $500 to $1,500 per student. The money is intended to help schools offset the academic effects of poverty by providing extra tutoring, counseling and other services.