Published: January 6, 2005

New Mexico

Standards and Accountability: New Mexico has clear and specific standards for English, mathematics, and science in elementary, middle, and high school. In social studies/history, the standards are clear and specific only in middle and high school.

New Mexico enhanced its grade by including standards-based exams in English, mathematics, and science in all grade spans. The state uses a variety of test questions on its exams across grade levels.

New Mexico has all the components of a comprehensive accountability system. It publishes test data on school report cards and uses the information to rate schools. The state also provides help to schools identified as low-performing, and it imposes consequences on consistently underperforming schools. Such measures include permitting students to transfer to higher-performing public schools. The state also has cash awards for...