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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico saw a dip in the number of students who earned diplomas last year, but state education officials said Friday the graduation rate for the class of 2015 is still an improvement over levels reported a few years ago.
Figures released by the Public Education Department show the statewide graduation rate dropped about 1 percent to 68.6 percent.
Albuquerque and Rio Rancho saw declines as did schools in the Las Cruces district, but officials reported improvement in Santa Fe. Districts in Bernalillo, Bloomfield, Clovis and Espanola all saw rates increase by 5 percent or more.
While there were no geographic trends, American Indian students, low-income students and those with disabilities all had increases in their graduation rates.
Education Secretary Hanna Skandera said the 2015 rate remains higher than when Gov. Susana Martinez first took office, but she acknowledged that the system needs to get more students across the finish line.
"We're investing more in education than ever before, including investments to keep kids in school and on track to graduate, but building the best foundation for success early on is an important part," Skandera said.
The secretary cited unsuccessful efforts by the Martinez administration to end the practice of allowing students who can't read proficiently to pass on to the next grade. She called the practice reckless.
Skandera also highlighted an early warning system that monitors students' academic, disciplinary and attendance history and helps keep them on track if any red flags are raised. The department has been working on the pilot program with 17 schools and plans to roll it out to all districts later this year.
Nearly $4 million in grant funding also will help with the hiring of dropout coaches and social workers who will be placed in middle and high schools in 21 districts. The focus will be on keeping students in school and reducing truancy.
At Belen High School, principal Rodney Wright said teachers and staff have been working desperately on attendance issues. Still, the rural district managed to record among the state's highest jumps with its graduation rate.
Wright said he almost couldn't believe it when he crunched the numbers himself and discovered the more than 14 percent increase. Low-income students, Hispanics, those with disabilities and English-language learners all showed improvement over last year.
"We'll celebrate this. We're going to be excited about this but our students are the center point and that's where our focus has to be," he said. "The more we can track, communicate and get them into class, we'll continue to improve more."
Wright pointed to a program that allows for students to have extra time with teachers during the lunch period for tutoring, making up tests or studying. He said the school's system also ensures councilors can keep students on track toward earning credits and graduating.
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Online:
http://ped.state.nm.us/ped/Graduation\_data.html .
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