Strong Readers, Supported Educators, Successful Families: Deb Haaland Unveils Education Policy Platform and Major Education Endorsement
Haaland secures endorsement from one of the largest unions in the state, the American Federation of Teachers New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Today, Deb Haaland, who is running to be the next governor of New Mexico, announced her full education policy plan and the endorsement of the American Federation of Teachers New Mexico, one of the largest unions in the state. Haaland’s plan includes policies that will build strong readers, support educators and help families support the learners in their households.
“Every step in a child’s education should open doors for them – from pre-k to grade school to whatever they decide to do after. Our kids can’t do that alone though, they need stability at home and their educators should feel supported to do the jobs they need to do,” said Haaland. “That’s why I am so honored to have the support of AFT NM and their support of this plan.”
Haaland’s policy plan, which was written in collaboration with educators, parents, lawmakers, experts, and unions, addresses four areas that will allow students to grow and provide families and educators with the stability and resources they need.
Haaland’s education policy includes a bold solutions that:
- Teach kids to read earlier by detecting literacy problems sooner, bolstering universal childcare, boosting reading and bilingual instruction, and expanding summer reading programs and after-school programming.
- Expand career pathways starting in middle school through high school and provide hands-on career experience.
- Adopt and expand statewide Community School Models that provide wrap-around services like counseling, school based health care, dental, family support, and community engagement at schools so parents and caregivers have convenient services while they’re working and caring for their families.
- Create an Every Child Outdoor Initiative that incorporates outdoor learning into K-12 curriculums and provides implementation resources.
- Improve and modernize school facilities by directing uncommitted funds from the Public School Capital Outlay Fund.
- Expand the Opportunity Scholarship to provide free tuition for New Mexicans, including for graduate education and vocational certifications.
- Offer more opportunities for students to earn college credit in high school.
The endorsement from AFT New Mexico marks the first major endorsement from educators and is a testament to Haaland’s record of delivering for New Mexicans. Haaland is the only candidate in the race who has executive experience leading a department of nearly 70,000 employees and an $18 billion annual budget, and she is committed to bringing that experience to the governor’s office.
“Deb Haaland consistently and compassionately articulated her vision for the future of public education in New Mexico, from early education through higher education or career,” said AFT NM President Whitney Holland. “We have made great progress in the public education space over the last few years, and our intentional conversations with candidates for governor presented our union with the opportunity to pursue a future where educational policy decisions would be directly informed by students, parents, community needs, and importantly, the tens-of-thousands of hard working professional educators in New Mexico.”
Senator Bill Soules, Chair of Senate Committee on Education, Rep. Andres Romero, Chair of House Committee on Education, and Picuris Pueblo Governor Quanchello, attended the press conference and offered their support of Haaland’s vision for education.
“Deb understands that quality education isn’t just about test scores, it’s about preparing our kids for meaningful careers, supporting our teachers, and providing families stability. This plan will help keep talent right here at home, strengthen our communities, and open doors of opportunity for students in every corner of our state,” said Soules.
“I’m proud to stand with Deb Haaland as she puts forward a bold, forward-looking plan to transform education in New Mexico,” Romero said. “Deb’s approach — from expanding college, career, and trades pathways to getting kids outside to ensuring our schools are safe, up to date, and prepared to give every child a real opportunity — is the leadership our students, educators and families deserve.”
“Education is strongest when it reflects who our children are and the communities that raise them. Deb’s education plan works towards that by investing in schools that serve Native students to meet their unique needs,” said Quanchello. “Whether that is providing kids with access to healthcare resources or language specialists who support education of native languages, her plan represents the diverse needs of New Mexicans students.”
As a member of Congress, Haaland was the lead sponsor of the Universal Childcare and Early Learning Act and delivered funding to expand broadband in rural and underserved areas of New Mexico. As Secretary of the Interior, she worked to ensure all kids had opportunities to learn outdoors and launched the American Climate Corps, a jobs program that trained the next generation for jobs of the future. Haaland is a proud product of public schools – attending 13 before graduating high school as a military kid – and believes that all New Mexicans deserve access to a quality public education and opportunities to earn good pay in New Mexico when they are grown.