A description of school reform in New Mexico

The intent of this study was to describe the changes in public education after the passage of reform legislation in the State of New Mexico.;The observations in this study indicate the dropout rate in the State of New Mexico decreased from 1987 to 1992. The dropout rate for minorities indicated the largest percentage decrease in the state. Eighty percent of the sample districts third grades, 66 2/3% of the sample districts fifth grades, and 80% of the sample districts eighth grades reported an increase on CTBS tests. ACT test results improved in 80% of the sample districts. Over 93 1/3 percent of the sample districts reported an increase on their scores on the New Mexico Competency Examination.;Reform legislation impacted education in the State of New Mexico. Test scores in the state did increase during the time period in the study. Senate Bill 106 may have been the impetus for improvement in the sample school districts dropout rates, writing results, ACT scores, New Mexico Competency Examination scores or achievement test scores.;Considerations for the future include: (1) Design legislation to improve a specific area and involve all stakeholders when proposing legislation, (2) Develop a plan to evaluate the impact of changes in legislation on student success in schools; (3) Report the successes and failures to the public with well-documented facts; (4) A longitudinal study of the impact of school reform on student achievement in other states should be completed; and (5) A long term longitudinal study should be completed on public education in the State of New Mexico.;Legislation was passed in 1986 in New Mexico to correct perceived problems with the public education system. Data were collected on the eighty-eight New Mexico school districts. The data used in the research included: dropout rates, New Mexico Direct Writing Assessment, New Mexico High School Competency Examination, Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills, and the ACT.