The K-12 System New Mexico Needs

Matthew Ladner

Senior Advisor for Policy and Research

Excel in Ed

“We were promised flying cars, and instead we got 140 characters.”

-Bruce Gibney

“School choice is like a catalytic converter accelerating the benefits of other education

reforms.” -Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush

Diversity. Pluralism. Variety…

We treasure these values, and I do not believe it excessive to ask that they be embodied in our national policies for education.

-Daniel Patrick Moynihan

$8,628

1,300,031

3,178,142

386,360

3,047,493

0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

3,000,000

3,500,000

1950 2007

Teachers and Non-Teachers in the American Public School System, 1950 and 2007 (Source: Digest of Education Statistics)

Teacher Non-Teachers

13

15

Today’s Choice Programs are leading to Parental Choice 2.0

Charter School Laws to Recovery School Districts

Voucher and Tax Credit Programs to Education

In 2011, Arizona lawmakers created the Empowerment Scholarships Accounts program, the first of its kind.

Designed to overcome a state Blaine Amendment, the program deposits money into an account

controlled by the parent of a transferring child.

The Arizona law has multiple but limited uses for funds. What’s in an ESA parent’s wallet? A

customized education for their child.

20Foundation for Excellence in Education Copyright 2014 20

Education Savings AccountsAn education program utilizing an account controlled by parents with multiple educational uses, including saving for future higher education expenses.

ESAs create a system of education that is truly customized for each child. Under a robust system of accountability (monitoring and auditing), parents can direct funds in an ESA to any combination of educational uses, including:

Private school tuition

Tutoring

Therapy for students with disabilities

Instructional materials/curriculum

Online programs/courses

A-la-carte public school courses

Exam fees

Savings for future college costs

FLAZ

21Foundation for Excellence in Education Copyright 2014 21

Economics 101 – Efficient Use of Money

-19%

87%

Working Age (18-64) Elderly (65+)

Age Groups as a Percentage of the Total New Mexico Population, 2010-2030 (U.S. Census Bureau Estimates)

Aged (65+) Non-elderly adults Children

$17,522

$4,141 $2,492

Medicaid Spending per Enrollee by Age (Source: Kaiser Family Foundation)

23% 20% 20% 19% 17%22% 22% 22%

1998 2002 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013

New Mexico Students Scoring "Proficent or Better" on the NAEP 8th Grade Reading Exam, 1998-2013