WMPS Parents/Guardians/Community Members:
New Mexico Public Education Department is proposing a change to school districts ability to set their own calendar. The new rule would mandate that all schools in New Mexico have 180 instructional days and that ALL schools must operate on a 5-day school week. This means that WMPS would be required to move from a 4-day week to a 5-day week and change our calendar from 150 school days to 180 school days.
As you may know, Wagon Mound Public Schools has been on a 4-day week since 2005, almost 20 years. This model has worked well for WMPS; it has not hindered test scores, graduation rate, or attendance rates. As a matter of fact, our achievement data has been growing! Our elementary school has been nationally recognized for its academic growth.
According to a study done by PED, students who attend a school with a 4-day week, do not make up learning loss at the same rate as a student in a 5-day school. These findings are the opposite of what we have seen with our Wagon Mound Students. First, our students did not have substantial learning loss during the pandemic. Second, our students have continued to show growth on their short cycle assessments. We attribute these gains to our students enjoying a 4-day school week.
One size fits all approach to education does not work; there are many variables that must be considered. What is good for some schools, is NOT good for WMPS. This rule would take away local school districts’ autonomy, rendering your elected school officials powerless to decide what is best for your students.
Should this rule become permanent, the students of WMPS will have 30 extra days of school making the possible start date earlier and end date later. We are asking for your support in sending in comment to Rule.Feedback@ped.nm.gov on why you as a parent/guardian/community member would oppose this rule. When sending your feedback, please state that you are commenting on PED proposed rule 6.10.5.
Thank you and please let your voice be heard!