New Mexico Legislators Seek to Block Educational Opportunity

New Mexico Legislators Seek to Block Educational Opportunity

Charter School Moratorium Would Stifle Innovation, Hurt Kids 

(Santa FE, NM) – New Mexico’s system of charter schools is coming under attack in the state legislature. Representative Christine Trujillo (D-Albuquerque) has introduced House Bill 46, which would stop the approval of new charter schools in the state for at least two and half years. This moratorium, if enacted, would deny parents the opportunity to make the best choices for their children. The measure poses a particular threat to Latino families, as many students currently trapped in poor and underperforming schools are Hispanic.

Daniel Garza, President of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:

“It’s the right of all Americans to purse the American Dream. And the most important tool for building that dream is a quality education. But politicians are threatening to put special interests before our kids’ needs, limiting educational opportunity for the children who need it most. Students in New Mexico deserve the opportunity to succeed, no matter their race or economic status, and a multiyear ban on new charter schools would punish the most disadvantaged students most. Instead of making it harder to open charter schools in a state that ranks 49th in the country in overall education performance, lawmakers should be looking at creating more educational options. New Mexico has already imposed a cap on the number of charters that can be authorized each year. The last thing parents and families need is a complete moratorium which could lock their children out of better-performing charter schools for the rest of their K-12 education”

For Interviews with a representative from The LIBRE Initiative, please contact Brian Faughnan, 202-805-1581 or Cristina Tunon, 202-763-4429

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