NEW MEXICO HAS AN EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM IN PLACE … BUT IT’S BEING BLASTED BY A NATIONAL TEACHERS UNION FOR ITS FAILURE TO DO MORE WITH THE PROGRAM WITH THE MONEY IT HAS. RANDI WEINGARTEN IS WITH THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS. SHE TELLS US THE MONEY IS HERE TO FUND THE EFFORT … BUT IT’S NOT BEING USED.
WEINGARTEN SAYS THE STATE HAS A 15-BILLION DOLLAR EDUCATION THAT HAS SAT UNUSED. SHE SAYS WHEN YOU’RE 49TH IN THE NATION FOR CHILDREN WELL-BEING, AND GOVERNOR MARTINEZ HAS SPENT SO LITTLE ON THE PROGRAM THAT IT’S LOST SLOTS, SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE.
WEINGARTEN SAYS GOVERNOR MARTINEZ HAS CHOSEN TO TEST AND SANCTION EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS INSTEAD OF SUPPORTING AND IMPROVING SCHOOLS TO HELP ALL CHILDREN. SHE SAYS IT’S RESULTED IN A LOT OF ANXIETY FOR BOTH KIDS AND PARENTS.
