EDlection2018: Michelle Lujan Grisham Will Be New Mexico’s Next Governor, Promises A Rollback Of Her Predecessor’s Education Reforms
EDlection2018: Michelle Lujan Grisham Will Be New Mexico’s Next Governor, Promises a Rollback of Her Predecessor’s Education Reforms
EDlection2018: This is just one of many races we have examined for the 2018 midterms that could have an impact on state or federal education policies. Stay updated with the latest news by signing up for Newsletter.
As expected, Michelle Lujan Grisham, a three-term Democratic Congresswoman, emerged as the victor in the race for the governorship of New Mexico, defeating Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce. Lujan Grisham secured 57 percent of the votes, enjoying a comfortable 14-point lead over Pearce who received 43 percent of the votes.
Lujan Grisham, who succeeds a Latina governor, will make history as the first female Hispanic governor from the Democratic Party in the United States.
Congratulations to Michelle Lujan Grisham on her election victory, making her the first Democratic Hispanic woman governor in the United States!
The outcome of this race is significant for those closely following K-12 education policies, as the outgoing governor, Susana Martinez, implemented several major reforms during her two terms. Lujan Grisham has expressed her intention to change the direction of these policies promptly.
Earlier this year, a state district court judge declared that New Mexico students were trapped in an inadequate education system, suggesting that additional funding is required. The Martinez administration appealed the ruling, but Lujan Grisham has stated her intention to withdraw the appeal immediately.
Both Lujan Grisham and Pearce had pledged to take swift action on the state’s contentious teacher evaluation policy, which is often regarded as the most rigorous in the country, as well as on the use of the PARCC assessment, an annual test designed to measure student mastery of the Common Core State Standards.
These issues have become highly politicized. The Department of Education under Martinez initially mandated that 50 percent of teacher evaluations be based on student growth in standardized assessments, but the policy has been altered multiple times based on feedback from teachers. The resulting compromise system has been credited with enhancing teacher effectiveness in several districts.
Additionally, Lujan Grisham has committed to increasing starting teacher salaries from $36,000 annually to $40,000 and utilizing funds from a state land trust to expand access to early childhood education.
Related: EDlection2018: New Mexico Voters Approve Bonds to Purchase School Buses and Improve Schools and Libraries
EDlection2018: This is just one of many races we have analyzed for the 2018 midterms that could potentially shape state or federal education policies. Stay informed with the latest news by signing up for Newsletter.
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