SANTA FE – Plaintiffs in a landmark education lawsuit against the state of New Mexico are testifying Friday before a key legislative committee as they continue pressuring policymakers to develop and implement a plan for overhauling the state’s education system.
The case is centered on ensuring that at-risk students are being served. Around 80% of the state’s 330,000 students are considered at-risk under the lawsuit, which covers low-income, English language learning and Native American students.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs are expected to share an assessment of deficiencies in the educational system with the Legislative Finance Committee during the meeting.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has moved to dismiss the lawsuit, which was initially filed against her Republican predecessor in 2014. Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, argues that her administration is making progress even though it has not yet resolved the deficiencies.
The lawsuit is named Martinez and Yazzie after two plaintiff mothers who are among those who say centuries of abuse and shortcomings by state government make them wary of promises by the state.
Attanasio is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. Follow Attanasio on Twitter.
