I had an old op-ed piece submitted
to the New Mexican on public education and science standards. It was printed today, Jan 8, 2017, several months after it was submitted. Better late than never. I was happy, if
surprised, to see it:
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/education/changing-the-way-n-m-s-ped-does-business/article_1695f49c-b31b-5c56-b5a6-c4764b4df8de.html
Take 2: Here is the next one I
wrote, submitted to (but not accepted by) my favorite newspaper, the High Country
News. This piece moves on to subsequent education
issues related to End of Course (EoC) testing content. I attended the Legislative EoC discussion to speak up for immunizations as part of Health class
EoC testing. As it turned out, carving up US history was the main issue of the
day. Unlike the science standards, we the people did not win the EoC testing battle. But I
have some links included in the article, if you’re moved to write a letter to
NM PED, welcome into the fray.
At the EoC hearing I was graced by good
fortune. I got to sit shoulder-to-shoulder with luminous and luminary
educators, Esther Kovari and Margo Batha. They just can’t help themselves, one
learns by their proximity. So it was a
good day to learn, listen, and march on.
bette
_________________________
Putting the Public back into the New Mexico Public
Education Department
by Dr. Bette Korber
Dr. Korber works the fields of evolutionary
biology and vaccine design
The New Mexico Public Education
Department (NMPED) recently made a series of disturbing proposals towards limiting
the scope of ideas and knowledge that public education would provide to the children
of New Mexico. Their modus operandi has
been the omission of important educational content, ostensibly to simplify the
curriculum requirements. The nature of the omissions, however, seems politically
motivated, all the more so because
their decision-making process is secretive and opaque. This needs to change.
NMPED initially tampered with science
standards. Rather than joining 18 other states in adopting rigorously developed
national science standards, they modified these standards by striking wording
on evolution, the age of the Earth, and human impact on climate change. As
their nefarious intent became public, a wave of outrage swept New Mexico. A hearing
was held on October 16th. Hundreds gathered from across the state. 250
signed up to speak, although only 94 got their allotted 3 minutes before the
day was through. People were reasoned and eloquent; clearly many hours had been
spent finely honing each of those brief, impassioned talks. Every single
speaker opposed NMPED’s corruption of the national science standards. Soon
after, a second meeting was convened at the State Capitol by the bi-partisan Legislative
Education Study Committee. No one from NMPED bothered to attend. A series of
experts spoke, public comment was accepted, and New Mexicans again spoke in resounding
unity for good science education. Under great public pressure, NMPED finally conceded,
and adopted the complete unadulterated national science standards. Viva New Mexico!
Unfortunately, this was not the end
of the NMPED’s shenanigans. They next unveiled blueprints for statewide End-of-Course
testing. New Mexicans were becoming familiar with a new verb: blacklining. It is not yet in
Merriam-Webster, but as far as I can tell from usage, it means to literally draw
a black line through an important truth, resulting in depriving students of an
idea that would make their lives richer and help them become stronger, more
thoughtful citizens. Topics blacklined in US history included dropping atomic
bombs in Japan, Roe v. Wade, and Rosa Parks. Heath
blacklining included Immunizations, nutrition, and a healthy
diet.
So the Legislative Education Study
Committee held another meeting at the Capitol, on Nov. 16th, with End-of-Course
testing blueprints on the agenda. Again, they invited and questioned experts,
and provided an opportunity for public input. Over 60 citizens attended. When
asked if they were there because that had issues with the blueprints, every
single hand in the chamber shot up.
The Education Study Committee members were eloquent, and as a body they were not pleased with the PED’s blacklining. Particularly eloquent was G. Andres Romero, Representative from Bernalillo County (D), himself a teacher; his vigilance brought this issue into wider public discussion. And also, Senator Patricia Roybal Caballera (D). She spoke with the kind of quiet power that rivets, summoning both tears and strength. She spoke of the people who had died and suffered prison during the civil rights movement, who changed our country for the better by their sacrifice, who created that part of our shared history through their courage, and who created the legacy through which this history can and must be taught. She spoke about how the blacklines were through
One brave soul from the NMPED
attended, Matt Montaño. To his credit, he came knowing he would be facing stiff
opposition. He defended their process, explaining that a wide net was cast to
solicit teacher input. But ultimately only 5 teachers led the revision of the
US history blueprints, and how they were selected remained unclear. All were highly qualified teachers, but
all 5 hailed from conservative Republican counties south of Albuquerque, and as
far as one could tell, guessing from names and photos, all were white. The rich
diversity of our state was not represented.
Mr. Montaño was asked if there were no qualified teachers of color, or teachers
from Albuquerque, Taos, Santa Fe, or Los Alamos, who could have been part of
the team? He didn’t have an answer. Back in November, Mr. Montaño said the
blueprints could still be changed; however, as of this writing (Jan. 8, 2018), the
heavy black lines remain in place:
http://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/US-History-Blueprint1.pdf
There is something seriously wrong
with the way the NMPED conducts business. They are paid by the taxpayers to
provide a crucial public service, we entrust them with our children’s education;
what could be more important? Their process regarding changes which influence
curriculum should be transparent and open. Instead they work behind closed
doors promoting what appears to be a political and corporate agenda. The Public
Education Secretary designate, Christopher Ruszkowski, appointed by Republican Governor
Susana Martinez, has been conspicuously absent from all three public discussion
forums/hearings on curriculum that I’ve attended. He and the NMPED claim to
have consulted many (anonymous) stakeholders on their first misguided attempt
to impose their own science standards; what they came up with was so bad it
became a national embarrassment for New Mexico.
If appropriate professionals were indeed consulted on science standards,
there was no public documentation of their credentials, perspectives, or
potential conflicts-of-interest.
The upside of these events is that
people of New Mexico have been amazing and relentless in defense of education, although
our story is still unfolding. Rosa Parks is a great inspiration for not only
women of color, but for all of us; she is part of our shared heritage. Some of
her strength and dignity accompanied each New Mexican to the microphone as they
straightened their shoulders, and spoke out in defense of the gift of knowledge
we owe to our children. Our democracy depends
on us getting this right. 2018 is here, a year for voting in change, for
remembering who we are.
If anyone wants to write to
the PED, here is where to do it: http://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/contact-us/
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