2017 PPI Score
A
B
C
D
F
School Choice Score: 0%
Charter Schools Score: 75%
New Mexico has earns a C in this round of charter school law rankings. New Mexico’s law should score high marks for funding but the law is rarely implemented with fidelity, which lowers the state’s ranking. Moreover, the Public Education Department heavily regulates charters, which hampers growth and innovation.
- Fast Facts:
- Law Passed: 1993
- Number of Charters: 97
- Estimated Charter Enrollment: 25,400 (down 1 percent from 2015-16)
- Growth is capped at no more than 15 schools authorized per year with unused slots being rolled over.
- Virtual Schools are allowed as long as they have a physical location in the state
- Charter Schools must contract with EMOs and CMOs for management purposes
- New Mexico earns 8 of 15 points for “authorizing.” By law, both local school districts and the State Public Education Commission can authorize charter schools, bur the Public Education Commission currently authorizes the majority. Unfortunately, the commission regulates schools heavily. Decisions made by local school districts and the PEC are subject to appeal to the state Secretary of Education. This boosts the state’s score because charter applicants have recourse against decisions that they believe to be arbitrary or capricious.
- New Mexico scores 7 of 15 for “growth,” largely due to arbitrary charter caps. In New Mexico, there is a cap of no more than 15 schools per year, unused slots do roll over every years, but there may be no more than 75 charters established in 5 years.. Additionally, charters in very small districts may not enroll over 10 percent of students in the sending district. These arbitrary restrictions limit opportunities for students. Recent, slow growth in the charter sector also lowers New Mexico’s score.
- New Mexico earns 10 out of 20 possible points for “operations.” There are limited exemptions for charters and schools must negotiate extra exemptions with authorizers on a case by case basis. Additionally, the Public Education Commission regulates charter schools in New Mexico heavily, which limits autonomy. Law also requires charter school teachers to be certified in the same manner as teachers in district schools.
New Mexico earns 9 of 15 points for “funding equity.” By law, charters are entitled to 98 percent of per-pupil costs, with 2 percent deducted for administrative fees by all authorizers. By law, charters authorized by school boards should receive the portion of state and federal per-pupil funds attaché dto each student. In practice, this does not always happen. Charter schools do receive some per pupil facilities funding, but that amount pales in comparison to the support districts receive.
Online Learning Score: 75%
New Mexico has a state virtual school that offers an eLearning clearinghouse for online courses offered by K-12, higher education, and state agencies. Albuquerque Public School’s eCADEMY is the largest district program in the state and offers both supplemental and full-time options. During the 2012-2013 school year, the New Mexico Virtual Academy was established to extend full-time learning options for students in New Mexico. Additionally, two district-run virtual learning academies continue to offer part-time and full-time options for students in their local districts.
Teacher Quality Score: 75%
Delivering Well Prepared Teachers D+
Expanding the Pool of Teachers D
Identifying Effective Teachers C
Retaining Effective Teachers C+
Exiting Ineffective Teachers C
Pensions D
Transparency Score: 70%
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