School grades reveal a growing disparity in NM education

New Mexico is seeing an increasing divide in the educational performance of its school districts, according to new statewide school grades released Tuesday. While districts like Farmington, Gadsden and Alamogordo no longer have any failing schools, 34 percent of Albuquerque’s schools received an F in the latest state report. “There is a growing disparity,” said acting secretary of education Christopher Ruszkowski. Some districts are rising to meet demands and others are not. Successful districts like Gadsden and Farmington are data-driven and believe that every child can learn, Ruszkowski said. Gov. Susana Martinez agreed that schools with strong participation in state reform programs are on the rise, “while those that refuse to make improvements for our kids continue to struggle.”