NEW MEXICO’S PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS BEING SUED OVER A LAW CONCERNING STANDARDIZED TESTS. ACLU STAFF ATTORNEY MARIA MARTINEZ-SANCHEZ SAYS IT BANS TEACHERS FROM SAYING ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT THE TESTS. SHE SAYS IT HAS TEACHERS PETRIFIED TO SAY ANYTHING THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED DISPARAGING. SO WHEN PARENTS ASK IF A PARTICULAR TEST IS BENEFICIAL OR HARMFUL TO THEIR CHILD, THE TEACHER DOESN’T ANSWER.
SHE TELLS US THE REGULATION HAS BEEN ON THE BOOKS SINCE 2009 AND TEACHERS COULD LOSE THEIR LICENSE IF THEY VIOLATE IT.
THE LAWSUIT WAS FILED WEDNESDAY AND THE PLAINTIFFS INCLUDE ONE PARENT AND FIVE TEACHERS … FOUR IN ALBUQUERQUE AND ONE IN SANTA FE.
