Phased policy agenda for building a statewide pathways system: immediate low-cost COVID-recovery steps followed by longer-term investments¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The report lays out ten recommendations in two phases. Immediate low-cost steps include developing virtual CTE curriculum and remote-teaching capacity, convening a task force to build the state pathways framework, establishing quality and equity standards, adopting monitoring metrics integrated with existing data systems, and amending the Graduation Requirements Statute (§ 22-13-1.1) so CTE courses can satisfy some academic requirements and a college- and career-readiness diploma seal can be earned. Longer-term steps include demonstrations in 6 to 10 districts, incentivizing dual-credit articulation without double-funding, incentivizing employer engagement and work-based learning (including adapting the Job Training Incentive Program, which "reimburses 50–75% of wages of newly hired, eligible trainees for up to 6 months"), building educator capacity with dual academic and CTE credentials, and establishing a public–private College and Career Pathways Trust.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• State direction and funding of the NMPED, collaboration across education, workforce, and economic development agencies, and a public–private funding partnership

Constraints¶

• Recommendations are framed within the pressures and limitations on state policy and school operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and revenue erosion

Target Learners¶

• All New Mexico high school students, including those in small remote high schools

Target Learning Goals¶

• College and career readiness
• High school completion and postsecondary transition
• Work-based learning participation

Related Strategies¶

• Short-term and longer-term state steps to scale community schools to all high-poverty schools
• Sequenced multi-year investment plan across teacher and principal pipelines, early childhood, high-poverty schools, funding, and assessment and accountability to achieve Leandro compliance
• Next-phase agenda: pilot and refine STEM pathways, align STEM education with local economic demands, and plan a sustaining backbone organization

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Hoachlander, G. (2020). Building a system of college and career pathways in New Mexico. Learning Policy Institute. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/new-mexico-education