From
Capitol Report New Mexico.com - On Monday afternoon (Aug. 29), Gov.
Susana Martinez held a news conference announcing her decision to
re-introduce a bill ending the practice of what’s called “social promotion” (allowing students to move on to the next grade even if they have not mastered the school work required). A number of legislators showed up at the newser, standing figuratively and literally with the governor in support of adding the legislation to the upcoming special session of the legislature. But when it came her turn to speak to reporters, Garcia — a Democrat from Doña Ana County — announced that she had changed her mind about placing the social promotion bill on the call for the special session. “I’m sorry, governor,” Garcia said. “I made this decision last night after hearing from so many of my constituents … Perhaps if it comes up in January [during the legislature's regular, 30-day session], I would support it … It’s premature. Governor, I hate to disappoint you … we need to concentrate on redistricting.” Later, when talking to reporters, Garcia said that while she endorsed a bill in this past 60-day
session that would prevent third graders who have not mastered reading skills from getting promoted to the fourth grade, she thinks the social promotion bill and other pieces of legislation Martinez wants placed on the special session docket should be postponed. “I say, let’s wait,” Garcia said. But speaking moments after Garcia’s about-face, Martinez said lawmakers — and students in New Mexico — can’t wait. “I’m not satisfied with being 49th in the nation,” Martinez said, referring to a number of
recent educational studies showing dismal results from New Mexico schools.
Read more
State senator throws Susana a curve at news conference
From Capitol Report New Mexico.com - On Monday afternoon (Aug. 29), Gov. Susana Martinez held a news conference announcing her decision to re-introduce a bill ending the practice of what’s called “social promotion” (allowing students to move on to the next grade even if they have not mastered the school work required). A number of legislators showed up at the newser, standing figuratively and literally with the governor in support of adding the legislation to the upcoming special session of the legislature. But when it came her turn to speak to reporters, Garcia — a Democrat from Doña Ana County — announced that she had changed her mind about placing the social promotion bill on the call for the special session. “I’m sorry, governor,” Garcia said. “I made this decision last night after hearing from so many of my constituents … Perhaps if it comes up in January [during the legislature's regular, 30-day session], I would support it … It’s premature. Governor, I hate to disappoint you … we need to concentrate on redistricting.” Later, when talking to reporters, Garcia said that while she endorsed a bill in this past 60-day 
session that would prevent third graders who have not mastered reading skills from getting promoted to the fourth grade, she thinks the social promotion bill and other pieces of legislation Martinez wants placed on the special session docket should be postponed. “I say, let’s wait,” Garcia said. But speaking moments after Garcia’s about-face, Martinez said lawmakers — and students in New Mexico — can’t wait. “I’m not satisfied with being 49th in the nation,” Martinez said, referring to a number of recent educational studies showing dismal results from New Mexico schools. Read more
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