"New Mexico's eighth-graders ranked dead last in reading."

This according to an article in the Journal this morning.
(link) (sub req)

New Mexico eighth graders read less well than any other students in the entire United States.

"New Mexico Education Secretary Veronica Garcia could not be reached for comment. But in a department-issued news release, she attributed the state's "struggle to score better" to its poverty."

Children can be educated despite their poverty.
Poor children can read, they can do math,
they can be prepared for work or college;
but not by the same old, same old approach.

If political appointee Veronica Garcia can't get it done, maybe it's time to appoint someone whose qualifications extend beyond being hooked up politically.

Reporter Zsombor Peter writes;

While (the national report card) confirms the state's poor scores in math and reading, it gives above-average marks for New Mexico's education policies and its ability to prepare high school students for college or the workplace.

If the report is accurate, and we are preparing students for college, why is UNM considering raising entrance requirements to reverse a situation where 55% of entering freshmen do not graduate?

There seems to be a disconnect between the report card results and real life.