SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Unions representing teachers and other educational employees are planning rallies to protest a teacher evaluation system by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez's administration that heavily bases ratings on student performance on standardized tests. New Mexico officials of the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers are encouraging teachers to wear black on Wednesday and participate in rallies in a number of communities, including Carlsbad, Hobbs, Roswell, Santa Fe and Las Cruces.
The state presidents of the educational unions said on Tuesday that a heavy reliance on student testing is hurting educators rather than helping students.
The Martinez administration implemented a performance-based evaluation system in the current school year after failing to win approval of its proposals in the Democratic-controlled Legislature.
