ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico education officials launched the start of school in Albuquerque with a pep rally at Highland High School.
Incoming state Education Secretary Kurt Steinhaus led 1,000 teens in a chant of “Show up, it matters." Getting kids to show up following the pandemic will be a major challenge for Steinhaus as he replaces outgoing Secretary Ryan Stewart next week. Enrollment in New Mexico public schools has dropped about 4%, mostly due to growth in homeschooling.
Statewide, 40% of youth ages 12 to 17 are fully vaccinated. That's far lower than the New Mexico's 65% inoculation rate among adults.