Report Highlights Progress in Education from 1999-2003

(Santa Fe, NM)-The New Mexico State Department of Education (SDE) today issued a progress report on education since the adoption of the New Mexico State Board of Education’s (SBE) strategic plan, “Charting Student Success in the New Millennium,” in August 1999. The report, under the same name, is available on the SDE’s web site at www.ped.state.nm.us.

The report highlights progress in academic achievement, literacy, dropout, attendance, safe schools, parent and community involvement, equitable access and opportunity, quality educators, accountability, choice and technology and return on financial investment.

“Since 1999, the SBE’s strategic plan, ‘Charting Student Success in the New Millennium,’ has provided a quality, comprehensive, system-based approach to bring about needed educational reform and achieve world-class educational excellence,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Michael J. Davis.

“The board’s plan, being implemented by educators throughout the state, is evidence that people are more important than organizational structure and that working together we can effect change at all levels of education,” he said.

The report also provides the SBE’s focus areas for 2003-2004. The focus areas are the result of a full-day strategic planning session by the SBE in mid-June.

The four focus areas identified by the SBE are as follows:

· Operational Excellence with Processes Impacting Customers (connected to students and teachers)
· Ensure Equitable Opportunities for Student Success (focused on the federal No Child Left Behind Act, HB 212 Public School Reform, SB115 Indian Education Act and high school reform)
· Effective Fiduciary Performance (including performance-based program budgeting and fiscal oversight)
· Quality Teachers, Principals, Administrators and Educational Support Personnel

They are being aligned with the state superintendent’s work plan and tied to needed resources.